How Long Does THC Oil Stay in Your System?

You’ve consumed THC oil.

Now you have to take a drug test and that sinking feeling is in your gut.

How long does THC oil stay in your system?

You’re frantically scouring the internet for answers.

Since no two bodies are the same, the answer is relative to the individual.

Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the process.

Keep reading to discover:

How long does THC oil stay in your system
How long does cannabis oil stay in your system
The factors that affect how long THC stays in your system
How long THC can be detected based on the test method
Tips to help speed up the metabolization process

How Long Does Cannabis Oil Stay in Your System?
THC Oil vs. Weed Oil
7 Factors That May Affect How Long THC Oil Stays in Your System
How Long Is THC Oil Detectable in The Body?
How Long Do the Effects of THC Oil Usually Last?
Is There Anything You Can Do to Metabolize THC Oil Faster?
More Questions About THC Oil? Hail Mary Jane Has the Answers

How Long Does Cannabis Oil Stay in Your System?

The short answer? It varies.

Cannabis refers to the entire genus of flowering plants, Cannabaceae. That means several different kinds of oils fall under the cannabis umbrella.

The variable depends on …

Which specific kind of oil
What method of testing is being used to detect THC; and
Other factors

… that may affect how long it takes your body to metabolize the THC.

We’ll dive into each of those aspects below to give you a deeper look at how long cannabis oil stays in your system.

THC Oil vs. Weed Oil

You may have heard the terms THC oil, cannabis oil, or weed oil used interchangeably — which can make things confusing.

There is a difference. That difference is based on the levels of THC (the psychoactive element) and CBD (non-psychoactive) in the oils.

As we mentioned before, cannabis refers to a broad classification of plants: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis.

Cannabis oil refers to both:

Hemp oil or CBD oil derived from the sativa species that contain CBD and less than 0.3% THC; and
Weed oil derived from either sativa or indica containing CBD and high levels of THC.

THC oil (as the name suggests) is extracted specifically for high levels of THC and contains negligible levels of CBD.

Returning to the question, how long does weed oil stay in your system?

That’s determined by how much THC and CBD are in your weed oil.

Generally, oils and tinctures placed under the tongue tend to take longer to metabolize.

THC and CBD combinations can stay in your system for 7 days or more when influenced by additional factors. Continue reading for a deeper look at what factors can influence this timeline and how.

If you’re looking for reviews on top CBD and THC products, Hail Mary Jane has been committed to helping you find the best cannabis-related products since 2008.

7 Factors That May Affect How Long THC Oil Stays in Your System

As you’ve figured out by now, the answer to how long THC stays in your system is relative.

That’s because as the THC is absorbed into your bloodstream, it is metabolized into over 80 different small molecules called metabolites.

There are factors to consider that can either speed up or slow down the rate at which your body breaks down these metabolites.

Let’s examine these factors to help determine how long THC will stay in your system, but remember — even though science has developed a window of time, nothing is guaranteed.

#1: Your Body Mass Index

The body mass index is the most basic and commonly accepted method of calculating a person’s body fat percentage based on weight and height.

Since THC is fat-soluble, it easily binds to fatty tissues and builds up in the body fat.

A person with a higher body mass index may take longer to metabolize the THC in their system than a person with a lower BMI.

#2: Your Sex

Your sex plays a role in the body mass index method. It is determined that women generally have a higher BMI than men.

That means a woman is likely to take longer to metabolize THC than a man.

#3: How Quickly Your Metabolism Works

We know that your body metabolizes food based on your metabolic rate.

As you absorb THC into your system, your metabolic rate is responsible for determining how quickly you will metabolize it into tiny metabolites and ultimately out of your body.

People with higher metabolic rates retain THC in the body for a shorter time.

Things that can affect your metabolic rate include:

Age
Health conditions
Physical activity levels

#4: How Hydrated or Dehydrated You Are

One of the ways to accelerate your body’s process of metabolization is by dilution. Being well hydrated at the start will put you at a good basal point.

Starting your body off with plenty of fluids will only help aid in its natural detoxification.

If you are well hydrated, drinking plenty of water over the next 3-4 days for infrequent users and 7-10 days for everyday users will help flush out your system.

#5: How Frequently You Use THC Oil

The more regularly you use THC oil, the more it will accumulate and the longer it’s likely to stay in your system.

If you’re a first-time user, it can take 5-8 days to clear your system.

Weekly users take 1-2 weeks.

Daily users can take up to two months to get rid of THC metabolites.

The timeframe to detox is affected by how often you use THC oil and your method of use each time.

#6: Your Method of Use

Your method of using THC oil can have an impact on the amount of time it takes to rid your body of THC.

Smoking THC oil through a vape pen delivers the effects to your body faster and also allows it to metabolize at a faster rate.

Consuming THC oil by ingesting it …

Directly under your tongue
Through capsules; or
With food

… means that it will stay in your body longer.

The THC must first go through your digestive system before entering your bloodstream.

#7: Your Dosage Amount

The amount of THC in your oil will directly affect the concentration in your system.

That means the more potent your THC oil, the more THC you will ingest — and the more THC metabolites your body will produce to eliminate it.

Learn More About How Long THC Stays In Your System
By Clicking on the Video Below!

How Long Is THC Oil Detectable in The Body?

Most drug tests typically won’t detect CBD, but if your oil contains even trace amounts of THC it will likely be detected.

The timeframe that THC can be detected in the body is largely determined by the method of testing.

Some methods test for recent use, while others can determine long-term usage.

If you’re worried about a specific type of drug test, read on to find out just how long each method can test for.

Urine Testing

Urine analysis is the most common method which measures THC levels at the 50 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) threshold and above.

According to a study estimating the detection time of different drugs in urine, THC metabolites can be detected from:

Single use for 2-4 days
Frequent use for up to almost one month
Daily use for up to three months

Blood Testing

Blood testing is rarely used as a primary test method because THC moves through the bloodstream quickly before it enters the urinary system.

THC is only detectable in the bloodstream for up to 2 days for single use.

Heavy users typically have THC results in blood analysis for up to a week.

A review also found that blood testing was the best method to determine the frequency of use through concentration levels of THC metabolites.

THC metabolite concentration levels of 75 ng/mL or greater are associated with regular consumption, while less than 5 ng/mL is associated with occasional consumption.

These findings also lead to the use of blood tests to determine driving inability, as it determined the acute effects of cannabis, based on the cannabis influence factor (CIF).

Readings that test CIF at levels of 10 or greater result in legal cannabis intoxication.

Hair Testing

Contrary to popular belief, the same 2006 study found that hair testing was largely unreliable when testing for THC metabolites “resulting in much lower concentrations in hair compared with other drugs.”

The study also notes that while THC metabolite concentrations are rarely detected, THC is more likely to be incorporated into the hair by contamination from cannabis smoke.

Saliva Testing

Saliva tests are being discussed more frequently as a method of testing drivers — although many argue that saliva testing does not provide a good measure of physical impairment compared to blood analysis.

Studies suggest that saliva testing can detect THC in saliva after about an hour of use.

The THC can remain detectable until it’s fully swallowed, which can take anywhere from one to two days.

How Long Do the Effects of THC Oil Usually Last?

The time it takes to feel the effects of THC oil varies depending on your method of use.

It may take 30 minutes to two hours to feel the effects after consuming THC oil orally. Through digestion, the effects can last for hours thanks to continuous slow absorption.

Inhaling THC oil by vaporizer brings on much quicker effects after just a few minutes. The effects will fade after one to three hours, depending on the potency.

Is There Anything You Can Do to Metabolize THC Oil Faster?

There isn’t much you can do to drastically speed up the time it takes to metabolize THC oil.

But . . .

There are a few things you can do to give your body a little help in moving things along, including:

Brushing your teeth
Using mouthwash
Eating healthy
Drinking water
Exercising

Table of Contents

How Long Does Cannabis Oil Stay in Your System?

THC Oil vs. Weed Oil