Do Edibles Show Up in Drug Test?

Cannabis or THC edibles have grown in popularity throughout the US, especially in Long Island and other New York cities. According to reports in the National Library of Medicine, statistical data shows that while effective in treating health-related conditions, edibles could pose a greater health risk than smoking marijuana. Case studies have shown that the effects of edibles have a delayed impact on the person, and this delay could lead to unintentional ingestion of a higher dosage of THC, causing adverse health risks.

Many cannabis users choose edibles since they offer a more discrete way to use THC products in comparison to smoking marijuana. However, by ingesting edibles, the person may misjudge the full effects of using THC and become more intoxicated than expected. Read on to answer the question, do edibles show up in drug tests?

TL;DR: Yes, edibles show up on drug tests. THC from edibles is detectable in urine for 3–30 days, depending on dosage, frequency, and metabolism.

How Drug Tests Detect THC

Once a person ingests THC edibles, the THC compounds (specifically delta-9 THC) metabolize in the liver and are later excreted through the body via urination or bowel movements. The liver metabolizes the THC edibles using CYO3A and CYP2C enzymes, naturally created by the liver. Liver metabolism converts the THC in the edibles into two metabolites: psychoactive 11-hydroxy THC and non-psychoactive 11-COOH-THC.

These metabolites determine how the THC is excreted or removed from the body after liver metabolism. The glucuronide conjugate, 11-COOH-THC, appears in the urine and removes 20% of the THC from the body, and 11-OH-THC is found in feces, where 65% of the THC is eliminated from the body.

The other 15% of the THC travels to the heart and brain, circulating throughout the body via the bloodstream. During this process, THC is stored in fat cells and later recirculates into the bloodstream, traveling back through the body slowly.

Common Drug Testing Methods

Four primary tests are administered to look for THC or delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Understanding how these tests detect THC could reduce the likelihood of a positive test result. Since more people may have higher THC levels by ingesting edibles, it’s paramount to know how quickly THC and its metabolites are metabolized and how long do edibles remain in the body. Here are the four common drug testing methods:

• Urine drug test: Urine tests are a two-part assessment used to find THC or delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol. First, the urine is evaluated for THC and then for 11-COOH-THC metabolites. A positive result happens if the test shows 50 or more nanograms of THC per milliliter in the urine. Urine THC tests are administered for pre-employment drug screenings, DUI verification testing, and during medical or rehabilitation assessments.
• Blood test: Blood analyzer machines using gas chromatography detect the presence of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid in the blood after liver metabolism. Law enforcement conducts these tests to confirm previous assessments for criminal offenses, such as driving under the influence of controlled substances. Doctors complete the tests to verify suspected cannabis use in relation to providing emergency medical care. These toxicology screenings show the exact drug and its current levels in the bloodstream.
• Hair follicle tests: Testing the hair for THC and other drugs can show if the person has a history of using controlled substances or illicit drugs. These drugs can remain in the hair for three months, including cannabis, amphetamines, methamphetamine, MDMA, MDEA, cocaine, PCP, and opiates. Hair testing may be part of pre-employment screening, criminal proceedings, or medical treatment.
• Saliva tests: Saliva drug tests involve taking a saliva sample with a mouth swab. The test results show recent drug use. Law enforcement conducts these tests to determine drug intoxication levels for those suspected of driving under the influence, but the saliva tests must be confirmed later through blood tests.

Do Edibles Show Up Differently Than Smoking?

Smoking or inhalation of THC enters the bloodstream via the lungs, and the effects aren’t delayed as they are with edibles. The peak high happens in less than 10 minutes after the person inhales the cannabis, with a bioavailability of up to 35%. Smoking cannabis presents higher psychoactive effects than consuming edibles. However, the THC is in higher concentrations in the brain when smoking it, and edibles increase these concentrations in the bloodstream.

THC from edibles will still produce the same detectable metabolites as smoking or vaping cannabis. However, as the liver metabolizes the edibles, metabolites that weren’t excreted through the urinary or digestive system are stored in fat deposits, leading to a slower onset of the longer-lasting effects. The metabolites in fat deposits recirculate through the bloodstream and could remain detectable for a longer period.

Factors That Influence Detection

A few factors influence THC detection, and these factors apply to how, when, and how often edibles are consumed and factors that apply directly to the person. How they are tested for THC and the predetermined levels detected by these tests affect the results.

Reviewing these factors shows you how and when you could fail a drug test, whether it is for employment, medical purposes, or related to criminal proceedings. Here are the primary factors that influence detection:

• Frequency of Use and Amount of THC: Whether you are an occasional or chronic user determines your detection level. Occasional users who consume edibles maybe once every three months or so are less likely to fail a drug test or to maintain a detectable amount of metabolites in their bodies. Spacing out edible use allows the body to eliminate metabolites via liver metabolism and later through fat deposits, and the body has enough time to eliminate the THC completely from the body. Chronic users (heavy user) consume edibles daily and at higher doses. They are more likely to maintain detectable levels of THC metabolites.
• Individual Metabolism and Body Fat Percentage: The metabolic rate determines how quickly the body eliminates THC metabolites and excretes them through urination or bowel movements. The body fat percentage determines how much fat is in the body, and with fewer fat deposits, THC storage in fat deposits is reduced.
• Type of Test and Its Sensitivity: Each drug test type determines what THC levels are considered detectable. Again, the frequency and dosage used correlate to when THC is detectable in the body and where. Continue reading to learn how long edibles stay detectable according to the drug test type.

How Long THC from Edibles Stays Detectable

The detection window of THC varies from one drug test to another. Although recreational cannabis use is legal in Long Island for persons 21 and older, there are still circumstances where use isn’t permitted. For example, employers may prohibit use while performing specific job tasks like operating heavy machinery, and state laws prohibit cannabis use inside motor vehicles or while driving.

These circumstances in which you may be required to submit to THC drug testing, and the drug test type is at the discretion of the entity requiring the test. For this reason, you should know the detectability windows for each test. Here are the detectability windows for the most common drug tests for THC:

• Urine Tests: 30 days
• Blood: 1- 2 days
• Hair: Up to 90 days
• Saliva: 24 to 72 hours for occasional users and 1 to 7 days for chronic users

How Long Island Interventions Can Help

Cannabis use disorder and dependency can adversely affect your health and personal relationships. Chronic marijuana use, including consuming cannabis edibles like gummies, brownies, or tinctures, can lead to mental health risks, impaired cognitive function, financial struggles, and even legal challenges, such as testing positive on drug tests. If cannabis products have taken over your life, it’s essential to seek professional help.

At Long Island Interventions, our cannabis rehabilitation program can help you regain control of your addiction and your life. We offer individual, family, and group therapy sessions to identify the triggers behind your dependency and develop effective treatment strategies. Whether you are struggling with marijuana edibles or other methods of consumption, we provide a comprehensive approach to recovery.

Our treatment center uses evidence-based practices, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). CBT addresses unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors that hinder recovery, while DBT helps you manage triggers, build coping mechanisms, and stay motivated to overcome addiction.

Support groups are also available, offering a safe space to share your journey with others who understand your challenges. These groups reduce isolation and connect you with a supportive community.

Cannabis use disorder, often linked to an inability to quit and excessive misuse, can negatively impact your daily life and personal relationships. The method of consumption, whether smoking, eating CBD edibles, or using tinctures, can affect how long cannabinoids remain detectable in your system. Factors such as hydration, the type of drug test, and the half-life of cannabinoids determine the detectability window. Understanding these factors is crucial to managing the side effects and consequences of drug use.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, contact Long Island Interventions today. Our addiction treatment programs offer a supportive and structured path to recovery from cannabis use disorder and other substance dependencies.

Published on: 2024-12-31
Updated on: 2024-12-31