Marijuana stays in your system for about 90 days. It remains in the blood for 1 to 2 days, in saliva for 2 to 3 days, in urine for 3 to 30 days, and in hair follicles for up to 90 days, according to Westin AA. et al 2011 study, “Cannabis of Urinprøver [Cannabis and urine samples]”, published in the Journal of Norwegian. It has a psychoactive compound, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which stays in the body for different lengths of time based on the type of drug test used.
The duration depends on several factors such as frequency of use, body composition, metabolism, and the method of consumption. These factors influence how THC and its metabolites are processed and eliminated from the body.
Approximately 80-90% of THC is excreted within 5 days, which supports the shorter detection windows seen in most cases, according to Chayasirisobhon, S. et al, 2020 study, “Mechanisms of Action and Pharmacokinetics of Cannabis” published in The Permanente Journal.
What Factors Impact How Long Marijuana Stays in Your System?
The common factors that impact how long marijuana stays in the system include the amount of THC consumed, frequency of use, body fat content, metabolism, and genetics.
In India, a recent study on hand-rubbed hashish from the northwest Himalayas, a traditional form of hemp and weed, found a very high potency level of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The mean concentration of Δ9-THC was about 26%, with total THC (including acidic and neutral forms) reaching around 40% by weight in the samples analysed.
This potency is higher than what has been reported from other regions worldwide, according to Chauhan J et al. ‘s 2024 study, “Phytocannabinoid Profile and Potency of Cannabis Resin (hashish) of Northwest Himalayas of India,” published in the Journal of Forensic Science.
Below are the factors influencing how marijuana stays in your system.
- Amount of THC consumed: Higher amounts of THC take longer to metabolise and clear. Stronger marijuana products and edibles also increase duration. Thus, a high quantity of THC means products with 15-20% THC or more in flower, and even higher for concentrates or edibles.
- Frequency of use: Frequent or chronic use causes THC metabolites to accumulate in fat cells, significantly extending detection windows compared to occasional use. First-time users may clear THC in about 3 days, while chronic users can test positive for a month or longer.
- Body fat content: THC is fat-soluble and binds to fat cells, so people with higher body fat retain THC metabolites longer. This makes body composition a significant factor in the elimination rate of THC.
- Metabolism: Individuals with faster metabolic rates break down and eliminate THC more quickly. Liver enzymes (notably cytochrome P450 enzymes like CYP2C9) play a key role in THC metabolism, chemically altering THC into active and inactive metabolites for excretion.
- Genetics: Genetic variations affect THC breakdown efficiency, especially in genes encoding metabolising enzymes like CYP2C9. Some people have variants causing slower metabolism of THC metabolites, leading to prolonged effects and longer detection time.
These factors help to provide a more explicit expectation of how long marijuana stays in your system. Individual differences mean detection times can vary widely from person to person.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Urine?
Marijuana stays in urine for up to 30 days or more for heavy users. This is because urine tests like immunoassay screens and standard 10-panel drug tests that include cannabinoids detect THC metabolites, which are processed and stored in body fat and slowly released over time, leading to prolonged detection, especially in frequent users. On the other hand, Marijuana stays detectable in urine for about 3 days after a single use.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Blood?
Marijuana (THC) stays in the blood for up to 12 hours after use. In some cases, especially with chronic users, it is detectable in blood for up to 36 hours or even up to 7 days. Blood tests like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detect marijuana for up to 12 hours after last use. These tests are not commonly used for marijuana detection because of this short detection window.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Saliva?
Marijuana stays in saliva for about 24 to 72 hours after use, although some studies indicate detection windows as short as 8 to 12 hours for occasional users. A research titled “Detection of Marijuana Use by Oral Fluid and Urine Analysis” compared oral fluid and urine testing for marijuana detection after a single smoked or oral dose.
Oral fluid testing detected THC for about 13 to 15 hours on average, up to a maximum of 31 to 34 hours, and rarely up to 72 hours, effectively identifying recent cannabis use within three days. Urine testing showed delayed positivity but detected metabolites for an extended period.
The study concluded that oral fluid testing is a practical, noninvasive method with better sensitivity for recent use, making it ideal for timely cannabis detection, according to Niedbala RS et al’s (2001) study titled, “Detection of Marijuana Use by Oral Fluid and Urine Analysis Following Single-dose Administration of Smoked and Oral Marijuana”, published in the Journal of Anal Toxicology.
The short detection window occurs because THC residues in the oral cavity diminish quickly and can be affected by oral hygiene or food and drink intake. Saliva tests mainly identify very recent marijuana use.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Hair?
Marijuana stays in hair follicles for up to 90 days after last use. The hair follicle test reflects cumulative exposure and can detect chronic or heavy use, but is less sensitive to occasional or light users.
THC binds to the hair shaft, and hair length (approximately 1.5 inches for testing) corresponds to about 3 months of history. Factors such as hair colour and type also influence detection, with darker hair retaining THC longer.
What are the Common Withdrawal Symptoms of Marijuana?
The common withdrawal symptoms of marijuana include irritability and anger, anxiety and nervousness, restlessness, decreased appetite, desire to eat, sometimes causing weight loss, depression, insomnia, strange or vivid dreams, and headaches.
The common withdrawal symptoms of marijuana are given below.
- Irritability and anger: Irritability involves feelings of frustration and agitation. This happens because the brain is adjusting to the absence of the calming effects of THC, leading to emotional instability.
- Anxiety and nervousness: This is heightened worry or unease. Without marijuana’s calming influence, the individual experiences increased anxiety or a persistent sense of unease. This heightened worry manifests as restlessness, panic attacks, or an overall feeling of nervous tension.
- Restlessness: Restlessness is the inability to relax or sit still. Individuals might feel an intense urge to move around, pacing or fidgeting frequently. This symptom appears because the calming effects of marijuana are missing, leaving the nervous system overstimulated and unsettled.
- Decreased appetite: Decreased appetite is when one has reduced desire to eat, sometimes causing weight loss. Marijuana stimulates hunger, especially in occasional users. When a person stops using it, appetite can drop significantly, making food less appealing. This can lead to reduced caloric intake and, over time, weight loss. Cannabinoids partly influence the body’s appetite regulation, so withdrawal disrupts standard hunger signals.
- Depression: Depression is more about feelings of sadness or low mood. These feelings arise during withdrawal, as the brain adjusts to the absence of marijuana’s mood-enhancing effects. This can range from mild “blues” to more severe depressive symptoms, including difficulty enjoying once pleasurable activities.
- Insomnia: Insomnia is defined as trouble falling or staying asleep. Marijuana helps some people relax and promotes sleep, so when it is removed, the person may find it harder to achieve restful sleep. This can lead to tiredness and irritability during the day.
- Strange or vivid dreams: These are unusual or unsettling dreams during sleep. People report unusually intense, vivid, or bizarre dreams during withdrawal. This happens because marijuana suppresses REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the phase of sleep where dreaming occurs.
- Headaches and nausea: Here, one experiences physical discomfort, including headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Marijuana withdrawal causes physical pain such as headaches, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. These symptoms arise because the body is adjusting to the lack of cannabinoids that previously regulated these sensations, leading to an imbalance and increased physical stress.
- Sweating and chills: These are episodes of intense sweating or cold chills. Episodes of excessive sweating or sudden cold chills are part of the autonomic nervous system’s reaction to withdrawal and happen in most first-time users of marijuana.
- Abdominal pain and tremors: Abdominal pain refers to cramps or general stomach discomfort experienced during withdrawal. Tremors are involuntary shaking or trembling, which can occur in the hands or other parts of the body. These physical symptoms reflect nervous system hyperactivity and muscle tension as the body readjusts.
These symptoms reflect the body’s adjustment when stopping marijuana use after regular consumption that starts within a few days and lasts up to a few weeks.
How to Get Marijuana Out of Your System?
To get marijuana out of your system, consider approaches like stopping the use of Cannabis, exercising daily, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and allowing time for your body to metabolise.
The following tips help get marijuana out of your system.
- Stop Using Cannabis: The most important and effective step in clearing marijuana from your system is to stop consuming it immediately. When you stop intake, your body begins to metabolise and eliminate THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component of cannabis.
- Exercise: Physical activity burns fat where THC is stored, speeding detox. THC is fat-soluble, meaning it binds to fat cells in your body. Exercise, especially cardio and strength training, helps break down fat tissue where THC is stored. When fat is burned during physical activity, stored THC metabolites are released into the bloodstream, where they are processed and eliminated.
- Stay Hydrated: Hydration is crucial to flushing toxins, including THC metabolites, from your body through urine. Hydration supports kidney function, which filters waste products from your blood and excretes them via urine.
- Healthy Diet: A nutritious diet supports your body’s natural detox processes. Eating foods rich in fibre helps regulate digestion and facilitates waste elimination. Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli contain antioxidants and chlorophyll that aid liver function, promoting the breakdown and removal of toxins.
- Time: Detoxing from marijuana ultimately requires time because your body needs to metabolise and clear THC and its metabolites naturally. The exact time varies widely depending on factors like frequency of use, body fat percentage, metabolism, and hydration. For occasional users, THC leaves the system in a few days, whereas for heavy, chronic users, it may take weeks or even over a month to fully clear. Patience is key. No method can instantly remove THC, but consistent healthy habits will help your body clear it more efficiently.
These natural methods for de-addiction aid the body’s processes for clearing marijuana, but do not guarantee immediate detoxification.
What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant. It contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary chemical responsible for producing the “high” or euphoric feelings when smoked, ingested, or vaped. It’s used recreationally and medicinally but affects the brain and body by binding to cannabinoid receptors.
How Long Do the Effects of Marijuana Last?
The effects of marijuana last from 1 to 3 hours after use, depending on factors such as consumption method, dose, and individual tolerance. The psychoactive high generally dissipates within a few hours, though some physiological effects may linger longer.
How Long Does it Take to Get Addicted to Marijuana?
It takes about weeks or months to get addicted to marijuana. Marijuana addiction can develop over time, especially with heavy, regular use. The timeline varies by individual, but addiction risk increases with frequent use.
How to Treat Marijuana Addiction?
To treat marijuana addiction, there’s a need for detoxification with a THC detox kit to clear THC from the body and manage withdrawal symptoms, followed by behavioural therapies like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to develop coping skills and prevent relapse.
Treatment options range from natural detox and outpatient support to intensive inpatient rehab programs, and combining detox with professional care tailored to the individual’s addiction severity and mental health improves the chances of long-term recovery. In marijuana withdrawal, people would also use natural detox or rapid detox.
