How to pass a drug test for weed–the ultimate guide
Chances are, you’ve landed here because you need to know how to pass a drug test. Despite a record 21 states having legalized adult-use cannabis and nearly 40 running medal marijuana programs, many states still allow employers to drug test their employees for cannabis and use a positive test as grounds for termination or exclusion from hiring. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with all the answers you need.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the different types of drug tests and how long they can detect drugs in your body, and what protections your state of residence offers for employees who test positive for cannabis. Learn what you can do right now to support your body’s detoxification and how to get weed out of your system in time for your drug test.
What are your state’s drug testing laws?
Before you freak out, do a little research on your local drug testing laws. Many states offer some protections for current and prospective employees if they test positive for cannabis. California and New York, for example, prevent discrimination based on a positive test, and some employees have successfully taken their cases to court to reinstate their employment.
However, it’s also fair to assume states with no cannabis legislation also come down hard on consumers. Check out our article on state-by-state drug testing laws to determine your next steps.
Which type of drug test do you need to pass?
There are four main types of drug tests used to detect alcohol and scheduled substances—including THC—in your system. They each have varying detection windows, so finding out what type of test you have to take as soon as possible greatly impacts your preparedness and peace of mind.
Urine test
Employers use the urine drug testing method far more often than any other form due to its convenience and low cost. The most common urine analysis used can detect 50ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) or higher of THC in your system. This means that you must have at least 50 nanograms of THC per milliliter of urine for the test to return positive. Because cannabinoids, including THC, bind easily to lipids in the body, even a couple of hits of a joint can remain detectable in the body for days afterward.
This method of testing is the easiest to overcome by getting your THC levels below this threshold. The most common problem people face with a urine test is the time it takes to lower THC levels in your body.
Because urine tests often come with little notice, many people choose a detox drink to cleanse their system on the day of their test for quick results. Others who have a little more time often use a detox kit and program to permanently cleanse their system so they can pass a urine drug test anytime.
How long does THC stay in your urine?
If you smoke weed daily, it may show up in your urine for 30-45 days after your last session, and potentially longer. This varies based on what kind of cannabis products you consume and body factors, such as metabolism and body fat percentage.
The potency of the cannabis you consume also plays a role; someone who prefers concentrates and extracts over smoking joints may test positive for THC for up to 60 days due to the high concentration of THC. Light to moderate users (a couple of times a month to a couple of times a week) may pass their test in 15-30 days. See more information about detection factors below.
Blood test
Blood testing is rather expensive and invasive (they require extracting blood from the subject), so it isn’t used often. Yet, if someone really wanted to find out how recently you’ve consumed THC, blood testing would be the most time-sensitive method of choice—blood tests are best for determining if someone is currently under the influence of drugs or alcohol and have a detection window of minutes to hours from the last use of substances.
THC hits the bloodstream within seconds after inhalation of flower, vape cartridge, or concentrate, and within an hour of ingesting an edible. In rare circumstances, a blood test may be administered by law enforcement. Using a permanent cleanser could help flush THC in your system for a blood test.
How long does THC stay in your blood?
Light cannabis consumers (less than once a week) will likely only test positive for THC in a blood test for 1-7 days after use. Heavy, chronic consumers may test positive for 45-60 days.
Hair follicle test
A hair follicle test is the least forgiving of them all, as it can detect substances for many months after consumption—it’s also quite invasive. You need much more than a few strands, and these tests are nearly impossible to fake. Hair follicle tests are best for showing long-term patterns of use.
No matter what you read online, bleaching or shaving your head won’t negate your test results, as the metabolites of the substances get stored within the hair shaft. Additionally, some medications have been shown to produce false positives, so the most-trusted way to pass a hair follicle test is with a detox shampoo.
How long does THC stay in your hair?
Hair follicle testing can typically detect THC use for 90-120 days, but heavy users may show THC that dates back up to six months. Most hair follicle tests require an inch and a half of hair for analysis from multiple strands. What if you’re bald or have short hair? A larger surface area is collected on the head, or in some cases, body hair is perfectly suitable.
Frequently asked questions about drug testing
Still have questions? We have answers.
How do marijuana drug tests work?
Once you consume cannabis, it enters your bloodstream. From there, it makes its way to the body’s soft tissues before THC metabolites settle into your fat cells. Once the fat cells are burned, those metabolites recirculate through the bloodstream until they are eventually excreted via urine and feces. The metabolites are traceable to varying degrees by drug tests in urine, saliva, blood, and hair.
Can CBD and/or delta-8 lead to a failed drug test?
Unfortunately, yes. Most drug tests are not sophisticated enough to determine the cannabinoid’s source of origin. So even if you’ve been consuming hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD, delta-8 THC, HHC, THC-O, or others, you could potentially fail a drug test meant to detect cannabis.
Moreso, any full-spectrum CBD product contains trace amounts of THC. Depending on your dosage and frequency of use, this could be enough to trigger a positive result.
How long does weed stay in your system?
There is no exact method to determine how long weed will appear on a drug test. It depends on your personal body composition, age, health, hydration levels, and most importantly, frequency of use and consumption method. Smoking weed once versus vaping daily will equate to varying detox times. It’s always best to over-estimate and leave as big a window for detox as possible to ensure a clean test.
When do employers drug test new hires?
Generally, employers will wait until the end of an interview process to drug test new hires. Employers have to pay a lab to provide drug test results, so they’ll generally only make the investment in a drug test if they’re planning on hiring a prospective employee.
However, some states have legislation that protects prospective employees in some industries who test positive. Learn about your local laws here.
Does gender or sex affect a drug test?
No, gender and sex have no bearing on the outcome or preparation for a drug test. Although men generally require a longer time to detox than women, that is due to the greater average weight amongst the male population.
How much urine is needed for a drug test?
You’ll need at least 30ml for a standard drug test or 45ml for a collection by the Department of Transportation; federal employers have stricter guidelines. For context, the average human bladder can hold around 300ml.
How long does it take to get drug test results?
A standard urine test will show results in one to two days, in most cases. Other tests, such as blood tests, can take as long as a week. Sit tight, and don’t panic, you’ll have your answer soon.
What can cause a false positive on a drug test?
There are many foods and perfectly legal products that can affect your test results. In addition to foods like poppy seeds and hemp-base products, a few prescription medications, like certain antidepressants and antibiotics, can cause false positives on a drug test.
Over-the-counter pain relievers and diet pills can also be mistaken for illicit drugs in a urine analysis. Finally, false positives can come from second-hand cannabis smoke exposure, as well. So, if you’ve got a drug test coming up, ask your roommate to take it outside.
Don’t stress, trust quality
Thankfully, there seems to be consensus on one thing when it comes to detoxification—use trustworthy products. Home remedies are not going to be reliable. If your livelihood depends on a clean test, do you really want to rely on something that produces mixed results?
Instead of taking any risks, go with a product with a proven track record. The cleanse coaches at PassYourTest have been helping people cleanse their systems for 20 years. They are highly confident in their formulated cleansers, and all their products come with a 100% guarantee. Detox with a proven product leader and be in the best position to pass.
