Metabolism. Your metabolism plays a part in how quickly or slowly the THC metabolites are broken down and released from your system. Everyone has a different rate of metabolism determined by their height, weight, sex, level of physical activity, and genetics that determines how quickly THC leaves your system. Body fat. THC is stored in fat cells. This means that, after use, THC is most densely concentrated in fatty organs like the brain, ovaries, and testicles. However, THC metabolites also have been detected in body fat for up to a month after ingestion. [2] X Research source Frequency of usage. The frequency with you use marijuana helps determine the length of your detectable period. Because THC and its metabolites linger in the body even after a noticeable high has faded, frequent use will cause these chemicals’ levels to “build up”, eventually plateauing at an elevated level. Thus, heavy users will generally test positive for longer than light users if they both cease using marijuana at the same time. Potency. The potency of the marijuana also has an effect on the length of time it stays in your body. Strong pot - that is, marijuana with a high level of THC - will stay with you longer than low-grade weed. Exercise/lifestyle. The level of exercise a person gets is known to affect the level of THC in his or her system - what’s less well-known is precisely how it affects this level. Contrary to the popular legend which claims that exercise can “release” TCH from the body by burning fat cells, some scientific studies have actually found the opposite in the short-term - in other words, exercise the day after ingesting marijuana can slightly elevate blood THC levels. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Note that, while urine tests can be used to test for pregnancy and certain other medical conditions, your employer has no legal basis to do so and, according to the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), is in fact prohibited from denying you employment based on one of these conditions. [5] X Trustworthy Source US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission U. S. government agency that enforces civil rights in the workplace Go to source
Saliva test. The saliva test, in which a sample is taken from inside the mouth via swab, is inexpensive and has a very short detection timeline. Theoretically, it can detect THC only within a few days of use. Some employers like saliva tests because they’re convenient to administer, make random testing easier, and are tough to beat. However, saliva tests are thought to be fairly unreliable and are not yet widely used in the U. S, though they are prevalent in certain other countries, like Australia. [6] X Research source Urine test. Urine tests do not actually detect THC in the body. Instead, they search for its metabolite, THC-COOH, which is produced after ingesting cannabis and can linger long after the THC itself is gone. There are two types of urine tests an employer may order: In the first, most-common type, you are required to go to an off-site collection facility. There, your urine is collected in a specially designed cup, sealed with a tamper resistant tape, and sent to a testing laboratory for screening. A second, more cost-effective method that is gaining popularity is an instant, on-site urine test that’s often used for random employee testing and patient testing as well as in drug rehabilitation programs. Blood test. Blood tests test the blood itself for the presence of THC. Since THC only stays in the blood for a short amount of time (usually about 12-24 hours),[7] X Research source this is an uncommon option for pre-employment screening. Instead, blood tests are usually used to determine whether someone was recently impaired in situations where this information is pertinent (like, for instance, after a workplace accident). Hair follicle test. These tests are somewhat expensive and are most commonly used for highly sensitive jobs or jobs that requires special clearance. Depending on the length of the hair, hair tests can show results that date back up to about three months. [8] X Research source Hair tests are widely used in the casino industry.
In the first, most-common type, you are required to go to an off-site collection facility. There, your urine is collected in a specially designed cup, sealed with a tamper resistant tape, and sent to a testing laboratory for screening. A second, more cost-effective method that is gaining popularity is an instant, on-site urine test that’s often used for random employee testing and patient testing as well as in drug rehabilitation programs.
The methods in this section may help you but are by no means guaranteed to work. Applied improperly, some of these methods can even increase the chance that you fail your test, so proceed with caution.
Starting three days before your test, build up the creatinine levels in your system. Do this by eating a lots red meat or taking creatine supplements (available in specialty health food, vitamin and supplement stores). This first step is important because many urine tests check for this substance (a metabolite of creatine) to make sure that your urine isn’t diluted. Failure to take this step can cause you to fail the test on suspicion of diluting your urine. An hour or two before the test, take 50 to 100 mg. of B2, B12 or B-complex to add color to your urine. Then, drink a glass of water every 15 minutes or so. You should drink about a quart (roughly a liter) of water. Don’t overdo your water intake to the point of water intoxication - a real and lethal condition. You should also urinate at least once during this time because you don’t want to submit your first urine sample for testing. When it is time to give the sample, take it “midstream”, in other words, first pee into the toilet and then into the collection cup. This will give you the best chance of the lowest concentration of metabolites, as this flushes any old (higher-concentration) urine from the urethra. If your urine comes off as too dilute, and you get a second chance to take the test, schedule it as far out as possible. This will give you time to either reach the end of your detectable period or to try the dilution method again, making adjustments so that you don’t over-dilute. Drinking water will not “flush" the THC out of your system; it simply serves the purpose of diluting your urine.
Saliva test - 12-24 hours after use Urine test - 1-3 days after use Blood test - 1-3 days after use Hair test - from 3-5 days after use up to 90 days after use Note - for heavy users, these windows will be substantially less forgiving.
Saliva test - 12-24 hours after use Urine test - 1-3 days after use Blood test - 1-3 days after use Hair test - from 3-5 days after use up to 90 days after use Note - for heavy users, these windows will be substantially less forgiving.
