The effects of THC edibles can be felt 30 minutes to two hours after ingesting and may last up to six to eight hours (24 hours for residual effects). Trace levels of THC can be detected in drug tests up to 90 days after they were consumed.
However, these are estimates, and the amount of time it takes to feel its effects and for edibles to stay in your system will vary depending on factors such as history of use, body fat composition, hydration, etc. This table shows the range of times edibles can be detected in bodies by drug test type.
| Type of drug test | THC Edibles Detection time |
|---|---|
| Saliva testing | 1 to 3 days |
| Blood testing | 3 to 4 days |
| Urine testing | 3 to 30 days |
| Hair testing | up to 90 days |
Read here to find out more about THC edibles’ detection times, onset and duration of effects, and what affects how long they stay in your system.
- As edibles need to be digested, it can take longer to feel its effects compared to smoking cannabis. The effects can start to kick in 30 minutes to two hours after ingesting and can last up to eight hours. Smoked cannabis can be felt as soon as 10 minutes after inhaling and lasts up to 3 hours.
- Cannabis edibles can be detected in your body for up to 90 days after consumption via hair testing, depending on various factors that affect your body’s speed in metabolizing THC.
- Marijuana metabolites from edibles take longer to be processed than inhaled weed, meaning the THC levels in the body take longer to drop with edibles. This processing also converts THC into a more potent form.
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How long do weed edibles stay in your system?
On average, the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in edibles will enter the system within a couple of hours and traces can remain there for up to 90 days. Compared to smoked marijuana, cannabis edibles take longer to process as they make their way through the digestive tract, and THC levels in the body take longer to drop with edibles than inhaled weed.
When smoked, marijuana enters the bloodstream quickly through the capillaries in the lungs. This means smoking marijuana has more immediate and shorter effects but is processed by the body faster.
Related guide: How Long Does Cannabis (THC) Stay in Your System?
How long does it take to feel the effects of marijuana edibles?
Someone who has consumed an edible will often begin to feel effects between 30 minutes and two hours after ingesting. The effects can be felt for two to eight hours, with some possible residual effects lasting up to 24 hours. The time it takes to feel the effects of edibles varies from person to person, as do the exact effects themselves.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana and is also used in edibles. For some people, THC provides feelings of euphoria and relaxation, while others may feel paranoia and anxiety.
When THC enters the bloodstream from edibles, it travels to the liver where it is processed into a stronger metabolite (11-hydroxy-THC) which produces the more intense and long-lasting effects associated with ingesting cannabis.[4] Given the high affinity of THC for fat, it can take longer to feel the effects of edibles if the person has recently eaten or if they are overweight. Inversely, those with faster metabolisms and lower fat BMIs will often feel the effects of edibles much faster.
Related: Shatter (cannabis concentrate)
Do edibles show up in drug tests?
Yes, regardless of the method of consumption, all cannabis products containing 11-hydroxy THC and delta-9 THC will show up on all standard drug tests. Edibles such as gummies and chocolate take longer to be processed by the body, they will often show up in drug tests longer after use than smoking marijuana. Detection of THC in your body also depends on the sensitivity of the test.
The drug detection times for edibles are as follows:[1]
- Saliva testing. Edibles can be detected in the saliva 1-3 days after ingesting.
- Blood testing. THC edibles can be detected in your bloodstream 3-4 days after consumption.
- Urine testing. Edibles can be detected in the urine 3-30 days after ingesting.
- Hair testing. Traces of edibles can still be detected in hair samples up to 90 days after use.
Read here to learn more about how long substances and alcohol stay in your system.
Can you get a false positive for edibles?
Aside from the obvious result of smoking weed alongside using edibles, there are other ways to get a false-positive result for THC use, namely from hemp.[2]Â Hemp can be found in many items, including food. The most common food products are hemp seeds in granola bars and hemp oil.
The THC concentration is very low, around 0.3%, and not high enough to cause intoxication on its own. However, if ingested often enough, the THC in hemp can accumulate in the body’s fat cells and may be present for up to 5 weeks.
This means that even if someone hasn’t taken an edible containing THC, there may still be traces in their system that will show up on certain types of drug tests.
What affects how long edibles stay in your system?
Factors that influence edibles and marijuana metabolite detection rates include:[1]
- History of marijuana use. A chronic user will have traces of THC for longer in their system than an occasional user or someone who had it for the first time.
- Quantity of marijuana taken. The more THC is consumed, the longer it stays in the system.
- Strain and strength of THC taken. The length of time they stay in the human body depends on the strain and purity of the substance. The more potent the THC, the longer it takes for your body to process it.
- Body fat. People with higher body fat process THC longer since fat cells store cannabis and therefore it takes longer to eliminate them.
- Metabolism. People with slower metabolisms take longer to eliminate THC from their bodies.
- Sex. Since females typically have a higher fat percentage, this may contribute to slower metabolization of THC.
- Pre-existing medical conditions (especially those involving the liver or kidneys). Impaired liver function means that your metabolism also slows down, eliminating THC more slowly.
Marijuana compounds: THC vs. CBD
Both Cannabidiol (CBD) and THC are compounds found in cannabis plants. CBD’s most distinct feature from THC is that it does not give the euphoric high provided by THC, which makes it a good alternative for those who want the calming effects of cannabis without the mind-altering sensations.
Do edibles and CBD stay in your system for the same amount of time?
No, as CBD and THC have different chemical compositions they are processed by the body in different ways. However, like with edibles; how long CBD stays in your system can vary depending on the dose and product type. The length of time these products stay in your system can be complicated further when combined, which is a common practice for those managing chronic pain conditions, as Dr. Olla explains;
Medical advisor
Getting help with edible abuse
Long-term use of marijuana may cause dependence and negative effects on brain development. If you or someone you know is suffering from dependence or addiction to edibles or other THC-containing substances (such as marijuana addiction or weed vape addiction), seeking treatment from a healthcare professional specializing in substance use disorders may be beneficial.
Treatment for a substance use disorder can range from one-on-one counseling or therapy to a residential stay in inpatient rehab. Visit our rehab directory today to see what help is available for edible dependence in your area.
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