Edibles, such as cannabis-infused gummies and baked goods, are a popular method of consuming cannabis without smoking or vaping. When ingested, active compounds are absorbed through the digestive system, leading to a different physiological experience compared to inhalation. Consumers often wonder if this non-smoked route can still result in a positive drug test.
The Target Molecule: What Drug Tests Seek
The presence of cannabis use is confirmed by identifying a metabolic byproduct, not the original psychoactive compound, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Standard drug screens look for 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC, often abbreviated as THC-COOH. This non-psychoactive molecule is created by the liver regardless of the consumption method—whether cannabis is smoked, vaped, or eaten.
THC-COOH is the chemical signature indicating that THC has been processed by the body. Since this molecule is created after the body breaks down the initial THC, edibles will show up on a drug test. The test confirms that the body has metabolized THC, and the method of delivery does not change this final chemical evidence.
Edibles’ Unique Metabolic Process
Consuming edibles triggers “first-pass metabolism,” a distinct pathway that differs significantly from absorption through the lungs. After ingestion, delta-9-THC is absorbed through the digestive tract and routed directly to the liver. The liver uses specialized enzymes to process the compound, converting much of the delta-9-THC into 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), a highly potent psychoactive molecule.
The liver then further oxidizes 11-OH-THC into the inactive metabolite, THC-COOH, which is stored and gradually excreted. This conversion process explains why edibles have a delayed onset but often result in a more intense and prolonged effect. This unique path of metabolism also means detectable compounds are released into the system over a longer period compared to inhalation, influencing the detection window.
Typical Detection Windows by Test Type
The detection window for cannabis metabolites varies widely based on the specific type of drug test administered.
Urine Tests
Urine testing is the most common method and provides the broadest detection window, targeting the THC-COOH metabolite. For a single instance of use, THC may be detectable for approximately three days. This time frame extends significantly with increased frequency. Moderate use (a few times a week) can lead to a detection window of five to seven days, while chronic, daily use can result in a positive test for 30 days or more.
Blood Tests
Blood tests primarily detect active THC and 11-OH-THC compounds, identifying recent use or current impairment. Following edible consumption, these compounds can be detected in the blood for 12 to 48 hours for occasional users, potentially extending up to seven days with heavy use.
Saliva Tests
Saliva tests are often used for roadside or on-site screening and target recent consumption. They typically have a detection window of 24 to 72 hours after the last use.
Hair Follicle Tests
Hair follicle tests offer the longest retrospective view of consumption, as metabolites become embedded in the hair shaft. This method can reveal a pattern of use for up to 90 days, though it is less reliable for detecting a single, isolated instance of consumption.
Variables That Affect Detection Duration
The duration that THC metabolites remain detectable is highly individualized, making a definitive clearance time impossible to state. Several biological and behavioral factors influence this duration.
One primary variable is the frequency and amount of consumption. Regular use causes the fat-soluble compounds to accumulate in the body’s fat stores. Higher concentrations stored in adipose tissue prolong the release process, leading to extended detection windows.
Individual metabolism also plays a substantial role; a faster metabolic rate processes and eliminates metabolites more quickly. Furthermore, because THC metabolites are lipophilic (fat-soluble), body fat composition directly affects elimination time. People with a higher percentage of body fat store more compounds, prolonging the time metabolites can be detected. Finally, the sensitivity and cutoff level of the specific drug test influence the result, as a lower cutoff concentration detects trace amounts for a longer period.