If you’ve used marijuana or been around someone who has, you might wonder How long does weed stay in your body? Weed, also known as marijuana, contains a chemical called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is what gives you the high. Even after the effects wear off, though, THC can remain in your system for days, weeks, or even months, depending on many variables.

Whether you use marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes, understanding how long does marijuana stay in your system helps you prepare for drug tests or plan your health decisions. This page outlines how marijuana works in the system and what influences how long it stays there. You will also learn how to get compassionate and evidence-based treatment.

THC Metabolization

When you use marijuana, the main active ingredient – THC – is absorbed into your bloodstream and processed by your body. Once THC enters your system, it’s distributed to different organs and tissues, like the brain and liver. The liver breaks down THC into byproducts called metabolites. [1] These metabolites are what stay in your system long after the initial effects of the drug wear off. 

THC is stored in fat cells, which is why it can take a long time for your body to fully eliminate it. People with more body fat may hold onto THC longer than those with less fat. Your metabolism also plays a role — a faster metabolism means your body can break down and remove THC quicker. Other factors like how often you use marijuana and the method of consumption can also affect how long THC stays in your system.

Marijuana: Duration & Onset

The duration and onset of marijuana’s effects depend on how you consume it. When you smoke or vape marijuana, THC enters your lungs and moves quickly into your bloodstream. You’ll usually feel the effects within minutes, making smoking one of the fastest ways to get high. When you eat marijuana in the form of edibles, it takes longer for THC to be absorbed because it has to go through your digestive system first. This can delay the onset of effects by 30 minutes to 2 hours or more.

The duration of the effects also varies based on the method of use. Smoking or vaping usually leads to effects that last about 2 to 4 hours, while edibles can last much longer, sometimes up to 8 hours or more. The strength of the weed and how much THC it contains can also affect how long you feel the effects.

When Do Weed’s Effects Start?

When you smoke or vape weed, the effects typically start within 2 to 10 minutes. This fast onset happens because THC is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. [2] Once in your blood, THC reaches your brain quickly, producing a euphoric high. With edibles, the effects can take much longer to kick in — usually between 30 minutes and 2 hours. This delay occurs because the THC has to be processed through your stomach and liver before it enters your bloodstream. 

If you’ve consumed edibles, be patient and wait for the effects to begin. Many people make the mistake of consuming more, thinking the weed isn’t working, only to feel overwhelmed once the delayed effects hit. 

When Do Weed’s Effects End?

How long does weed last depends on how you use it. If you smoke or vape marijuana, the effects will typically start to fade after 2 to 4 hours. However, if you’ve consumed edibles, the effects can last much longer, sometimes up to 8 hours or more. In some cases, especially with higher doses, residual effects like drowsiness or sluggishness can be felt the next day. 

Even though the high might wear off, THC remains in your body long after the effects fade. THC is stored in fat cells and is slowly released back into your bloodstream over time.  [3] This means you could still test positive for THC in a drug test days, weeks, or even months after you last used weed, depending on your usage patterns and personal factors like metabolism. 

Is THC Still in the System After the Effects Wear Off?

THC can remain in your system long after the high has worn off. The effects of marijuana, such as feeling relaxed or euphoric, may last for a few hours, but THC stays in your body for days, weeks, or even months. This is because THC is stored in fat cells and slowly released into the bloodstream over time. Even if you no longer feel the effects, drug tests can still detect THC in your system depending on factors like your frequency of use, body fat, and metabolism.

How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System by Methods and Frequency?

The amount of time marijuana stays in your system depends on how often you use it and the method of consumption. With light use, THC may only be detectable for a few days, but if you use weed frequently or daily, THC can remain in your system much longer.

• Smoking or vaping: When you smoke or vape, THC enters your bloodstream quickly and is usually detectable in the body for up to 3 days with light use, and up to 30 days or more with heavy use.
• Edibles: Edibles take longer to process, meaning THC stays in your system longer than smoking. After regular use, people may still test positive for THC weeks after consuming edibles.
• Dabbing or using concentrates: These methods involve higher THC doses, so even occasional use can keep THC in your system for a longer period than with lower THC products like “flower”.

How Long Does It Take for Weed to Get Out of Your System After Quitting?

Once you quit using marijuana, how long it stays in your system depends on your usage patterns and body factors. For someone who uses marijuana occasionally, it may take about 3 to 7 days for THC to be completely eliminated. With regular use, though, it may need up to 30 days or longer to clear THC from their system. With heavy and long-term use, it takes up to 90 days for the body to be fully clear of THC.

If I Smoke Once a Week How Long Till I’m Clean?

If you smoke once a week, THC is likely to stay in your system for about 1 to 3 days. However, this can vary depending on your metabolism and other factors, like how much THC was in the weed you smoked and your body fat percentage. In most cases, occasional or weekly use leads to a clean system within a week.

If I Smoke Everyday How Long Till I’m Clean?

For someone who smokes every day, THC can stay in the system for much longer. Daily use may still lead to a positive test for marijuana up to 30 days or more after their last use. With heavy use, it may take even longer – up to 90 days in some cases – before they’re completely free of THC.

How Long Does Weed Stay In Your System After a Couple of Puffs?

If you’ve only taken a couple of puffs, THC might stay in your system for 1 to 3 days. Since this is a very light level of use, your body should be able to process and eliminate THC quicker than if you had smoked an entire joint or consumed a higher dose.

How Long Does Weed Stay In Your System After Quitting?

How long does it take for weed to get out of your system after quitting depends on your previous usage. With occasional use, THC may be undetectable within a week. With regular use, it may take up to a month. For those who use marijuana heavily or daily for an extended period, THC could remain in their system for up to 90 days.

If You Hit a Cart How Long Does It Stay in Your System?

When you hit a THC cartridge (cart), THC enters your system similarly to smoking. However, because carts often contain higher concentrations of THC, even a single hit could stay in your system for up to 7 days or more, depending on your frequency of use. With regular use, THC from a cart could linger for 30 days or longer.

How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System?

Delta-8 THC, a variant of regular THC, behaves similarly in the body. [4] Like delta-9 THC, delta-8 is stored in fat cells and takes time to break down. The length of time delta-8 stays in your system depends on how often you use it, but in general, it can remain detectable for 1 to 30 days. It may clear within a week with occasional use, while frequent use may lead to longer elimination times.

Drug Testing Methods & Weed

There are different types of drug tests that can detect THC in your system. Each test has its own detection window, and how long weed stays in your system depends on the type of test used.

How Long Does Weed Stay in Your Hair Follicles?

Hair follicle testing has the longest detection window for THC. Weed can be detected in your hair for up to 90 days after use. Hair testing works by looking for THC metabolites that have been stored in the hair as it grows. Even if you only use marijuana occasionally, it can still show up in your hair for months afterward.

How Long Does Weed Stay in Your Blood?

Weed stays in your bloodstream for a shorter period compared to other methods of testing. Typically, THC can be detected in the blood for 1 to 2 days after use, but with heavy or chronic use, it can be detectable for up to a week. Blood tests are usually used to detect recent use because THC leaves the bloodstream relatively quickly compared to urine or hair tests.

How Long Does THC Stay in Your Urine?

Urine tests are one of the most common methods for detecting weed. THC can show up in urine for varying amounts of time, depending on how often you use it. With occasional use, THC may be detectable for 1 to 3 days after use. With moderate use, it may take 7 to 21 days for THC to clear from the urine. Daily use, especially by those who have used marijuana over a long period, can test positive for up to 30 days or more.

The Bottom Line: How Long Does It Take for THC To Leave Your System Completely?

How long does it take for weed to be cleared from the body completely depends on how often you use marijuana, how much you use, and factors like your metabolism and body fat. With light or occasional use, THC might be eliminated in a few days to a week. With regular or heavy use, it can take anywhere from a month to 90 days. The only guaranteed way to fully clear THC from your system is to stop using marijuana and give your body time to metabolize and eliminate it naturally.

THC In Your System | FAQs

How can I pass a drug test?

The best way to pass a drug test is to stop using weed well in advance. Time is the most reliable method, as THC naturally leaves your body over time. Attempting to cheat a test with detox products or other tricks is risky and often ineffective.

How do I detox from weed?

Detoxing from weed involves staying hydrated, eating healthy, and exercising to help your body process and eliminate THC. With heavy use, a longer period of abstinence and possibly medical support may be necessary.

Is there a way to clear my body of weed fast?

There is no proven quick fix to clear weed from your body. While some detox products claim to speed up the process, most aren’t scientifically supported. The only guaranteed way is to give your body time to metabolize and eliminate THC naturally.

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Sources

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3570572/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8803256

[3] https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00399.x

[4] https://sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2023/04/conversation_cannabis_derived_products.php