How Long Does Hemp Stay in Your System? Detection Guide

Cannabis consumers nowadays are concerned about how long hemp products stay in their system. Hemp products mainly contain THC and CBD cannabinoids that turn into metabolites and stay in the body for hours to months.

These metabolites can be detected through performing a drug test. The duration of drug detection can vary in hair, urine, blood, and saliva, depending on several factors. Continue reading this guide to know how long hemp stays in the body and how to reduce detection time naturally.

Quick Answer: How Long Does Hemp Stay in Your System?

On average, hemp stays in the body for hours to months and can easily be detected on a drug test. Hemp can be detected through different detection windows, such as blood, saliva, urine, and hair. If you are employed, it’s crucial to know the detection time of the hemp product you consumed to avoid serious consequences. 

How Does Hemp Process in Your Body?

Absorption and Metabolism

The absorption of cannabinoids in your body will vary depending on the delivery method. When you smoke or vape a hemp product, the cannabinoid, mainly THC, enters your bloodstream through the lungs and then moves to other body organs. However, if you consume hemp products orally, they will enter the bloodstream through the liver in the form of metabolites. 

CBD vs. THC Breakdown

The human body processes both THC and CBD differently. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and is processed into non-intoxicating compounds. THC, a psychoactive compound, is converted into the metabolite THC-COOH in the liver. CBD compounds clear the system faster than the THC metabolites. 

What Are Metabolites?

Your body processes different compounds like THC and CBD, and as a result, forms byproducts. These chemical byproducts are called metabolites and act as a marker for positive drug tests. 

Will Hemp Show Up on a Drug Test?

Yes, hemp shows up on a drug test depending on various factors. Apart from THC metabolites, researchers even identified the presence of minor cannabinoids, like CBGA, CBC, and CBG, in the volunteer’s urine sample. 

CBD vs THC: What Do Drug Tests Detect

Most drug tests at workplaces or medical drug screening detect THC metabolites to show positive test results. CBD does not form this metabolite, so it is not detectable in such tests. Different tests are available to detect CBD, but they are very expensive and less frequent.   

Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs Isolate

Whether your hemp product is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate, the possibility of detection varies. Full-spectrum hemp products contain trace amounts of THC, enough to make metabolites and show a positive drug test. 

Broad-spectrum hemp products do not contain any THC content, but have a low possibility of detection in drug tests. However, pure CBD isolate cannot be detected on a drug test. For a THC-free experience, you can try our CBD gummies available in different flavors.

False Positives and Confirmatory Testing (Immunoassay vs GC/MS)

The initial drug test starts with immunoassay screening, which can sometimes show false positives. If you fail this initial test, then a confirmatory test, Gas Chromatography (GC)/Mass Spectrometry (MS) to identify and measure the concentration of THC metabolites.

Detection Windows by Test Type

1.   How long does hemp stay in urine?

If you have consumed CBD in a heavy dose, it stays in your system for a week and shows detection for about a month. In the case of THC metabolites, they can be detected for up to 3 days in urine after a single use. For moderate or regular use, detection time can elongate up to 5-7 days or more than 10 days, respectively. 

2.   How long does hemp stay in the blood?

A blood test can detect only the recent use of hemp products. In blood, THC can be detected within five hours of consumption, while its metabolites can stay in the system for 7 days. CBD products without an unknown or trace amount of THC will also show up on a drug test within this specified short period.

3.   How long does hemp stay in saliva?

Using saliva to detect CBD is not common. However, THC can be detected in saliva for 72 hours in case of single use. The chronic use will only extend this detection period. Whether you are consuming THC and CBD drinks, be aware of the detection time. 

4.   How long does hemp detect in hair?

In the hair follicles test, the CBD detection window extends longer for up to 90 days or 3 months. However, trace amounts of THC cannot be detected in hair. 

Factors Affecting Detection Time

When consumers take hemp products, 65% of the compounds clear out through feces, 15% through urine, while the rest remains in your system that can be detected in drug tests. Several factors influence the detection time of hemp products on a drug test. These factors include frequency of use, duration, potency, product type, metabolism, hydration, and testing sensitivity. Let’s explore all these in detail.

1.   Frequency and Duration of Use

Occasional users usually clear THC faster compared to regular or frequent users. When you consume hemp products for a long time and with high frequency, THC metabolites bind with the fat cells, leading to a longer detection time.

2.   Dosage and Potency

If your product is more potent and you consume it in high dosage, it means the longer it will take to leave your system. 

3.   Product Type (Oil, Gummies, Vape, Capsule)

Each hemp product type has a different absorption process. Vapes or smoking are absorbed quickly through the lungs and clear faster. Edibles take a long time to digest and absorb, thus have a long detection time. The detection time of tinctures and oils depends on the bioavailability and formulation.

4.   Body Fat, Hydration, and Metabolism

THC metabolites stick with the body fat. People with high body fat tend to retain these metabolites for a longer time. Hydration supports natural detoxification, and faster metabolism helps metabolites leave the body quickly.

5.   Testing Sensitivity

In drug tests, the cutoff level and testing methods matter most. For instance, an immunoassay test is commonly used for initial screening and can detect very low THC levels. GC/MS (Glass Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) is used as a confirmatory test.

How to Reduce Detection Time Naturally?

1.   Hydration and Diet

Hydration allows your kidneys and liver to metabolize THC and CBD cannabinoids efficiently. If you pair hydration with a fiber-rich diet, it will not only improve digestion but also reduce fat retention to prevent THC accumulation in fats. 

2.   Exercise and Fat Metabolism

To reduce the THC accumulation in fats, cardio exercise is a good option. It lowers the stored levels of THC metabolites and helps the body to release metabolites. You must avoid exercise right before the drug test, as it can temporarily increase metabolite levels in your bloodstream.

3.   Time and Consistency

Time is the most influential factor when it comes to reducing detection time. The body needs a specified detox period to fully eliminate the THC traces. The detox period may range from days to weeks, depending on the usage frequency. 

Legal and Regulatory Perspective

Hemp’s Legal Definition Under the 2018 Farm Bill

At the federal level, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the use of hemp-derived products. This bill states that hemp products as those containing THC content less than 0.3% by dry weight. As per this bill, all hemp-derived products, including THC chocolate edibles, CBD oils, tinctures, and gummies, are legal if they comply with the THC threshold. 

State Differences and Labelling Compliance

The state hemp laws vary from each other. Some states follow the federal law, while some impose serious restrictions or ban the use of hemp products. The legality of hemp products does not guarantee that you will also pass the drug test, as they contain some amount of THC. 

Before consuming hemp products, it’s advised to go through your employment policies about cannabis consumption or drug test failure. Consuming hemp inside your workplace or testing positive for drugs may leave you with severe consequences.

FAQs

Q. Does hemp show up in a drug test?

Hemp itself is not detected in drug tests; it’s the THC metabolites or CBD compounds that are present in hemp that show positive drug tests. 

Q. How long does hemp oil stay in your system?

For occasional users, it remains for 2 to 5 days, while for regular users, it can stay for 2 weeks or more. 

Q. How long do hemp gummies stay in your system?

In general, hemp gummies last for about 4 to 10 days in your system because edibles take time to digest and metabolize. Frequent and high doses can extend this period.

Q. Can CBD cause a positive drug test?

Pure CBD isolate does not cause a positive drug test. However, full-spectrum CBD or products with unverified THC levels show up as a positive drug test because of THC metabolites.

Q. What’s the difference between hemp and marijuana in testing?

The difference in testing lies in the concentration of THC. Hemp contains THC content less than 0.3% while marijuana products have more than 0.3% THC. 

Conclusion

Understanding the detection time of hemp products is crucial for safe and responsible consumption of cannabis. If you are appearing for a workplace or legal drug testing, you must choose the cannabis product wisely based on potency, dosage, metabolism, and product type to avoid any discrepancy.

To be on the safe side, you must purchase lab-tested, pure CBD, broad-spectrum, or THC-free products to pass the drug test. At CannaAid, we offer a range of broad-spectrum and pure CBD products, accompanied by third-party lab results. Explore our CannaAid’s collection to choose the best fit for you.