How Long Do THC Edibles Stay In Your System?

By Edmund Murphy

Last updated: 16 April 2024 & medically reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon

How long do weed edibles stay in your system?

On average, the THC in edibles will enter the system within a couple of hours and traces can remain there for up to 90 days. 

Cannabis edibles take longer to get into the system as they have to be digested to release the THC in them. 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. Edibles take longer to process as they make their way through the digestive tract. 

As with all substances, the length of time they stay in the human body depends on the drug's half-life. As the half-life of THC varies depending on the strain and purity of the substance, the half-life can vary between three and 12 days.

Related blog: How Long Does Cannabis (THC) Stay in Your System?

Additionally, 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.

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.

Related blog: What is Hotboxing?

The drug detection times for edibles are as follows:^[1]

Read here to learn more about how long substances and alcohol 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 length of 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 does so by being absorbed in the stomach. 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)

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)

• Quantity of marijuana taken (a heavy user will likely have more metabolites in their system)

• Strain and strength of THC taken

• Whether other substances were taken (such as alcohol or other depressants) 

• Body mass index

• Gender

• Age 

• Pre-existing medical conditions (especially those involving the liver or kidneys)

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;

A lower dose of THC combined with a higher dose of CBD may be helpful for pain relief and prevent unwanted side effects of medical marijuana. People who are looking for therapeutic outcomes should look for edibles that contain CBD and THC. The average daily dose can range between 30mg to 100mg, depending on the condition. For patients who are new to THC and CBD, the starting point should be around 10mg to 15mg. ^[3]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Michael Olla

MD

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] 

Since 2018, hemp production has been legalized at the federal level and can be found in many items, including food. The most common form of hemp used in food products is hemp seeds in granola bars and hemp oil in other products. 

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.

Getting help with edible abuse

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), some form of treatment may help. 

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.