THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, can stay in the system for varying lengths depending on the type of drug test used, frequency of use, metabolism, and body composition. Here's a summary of typical detection times:
- In saliva: detectable up to 24 hours (longer with regular use)
- In blood: usually up to 12-72 hours for occasional users, but can be longer with heavy use
- In urine: from 1 day up to 30 days or more; heavy or chronic users may have THC detectable for up to 70 or even 90 days
- In hair: can detect THC use for up to 90 days or longer, as hair records drug use over months
THC is fat-soluble and accumulates in fat tissues, so it takes longer to leave the system for heavy users or people with higher body fat. The liver metabolizes THC into compounds that are excreted by urine and feces, but stored THC gradually releases back into the bloodstream prolonging detection times. Different tests have different windows of detection based on how THC and its metabolites are processed and stored in the body.
