How Long Do THC Edibles Stay in Your System?

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THC edibles are a popular cannabis product thanks to their many varieties, easy dosing, and portable quality. But before you try a new type of cannabis product online, such as weed gummies or, broadly, THC edibles, it’s good to know what you’re getting into.

That’s why we get this question a lot: How long do THC edibles stay in your system? 

So, we’re giving you the answers you need about THC edibles, the effects, and what to expect in terms of how long they stay in your system.

What are THC Edibles?

THC edibles are any type of edible consumables that contain the cannabinoid of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Though many people are familiar with THC gummies, edibles come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s a variety to suit pretty much any preference!

Cannabis edibles are made by taking cannabis extracts such as shatter, tinctures, and budder and mixing those with fat-soluble bases like oils to create the product.

Edibles that contain THC are a popular choice as they offer the same psychoactive effects of cannabis without the, sometimes, unwanted effects of inhaling smoke in the lungs.

Another big plus for THC edibles is that they can be really tasty! 

Edibles and flower placed next to each other in contrast to each other.

Types of THC Edibles

While old-school edibles may have consisted chiefly of home-baked brownies and unpredictable hard candies, food, and cannabis technology have advanced a lot in the last decade. 

Edibles now come in a wide variety of types, flavours, doses, and strains.

A few common types of THC edibles include:

The Benefits of THC Edibles

There are plenty of benefits to choosing THC edibles. If you’re used to smoking joints, edibles can be a welcome change from using your lungs to inhale smoke. They also add another layer to the cannabis experience with tasty flavours and textures.

Most people gravitate towards edibles because of the easy dosing. Edibles are carefully formulated and portioned so that you know exactly how much THC you’re consuming with each bite. In addition, edibles contain precisely measured doses of the strain used.

Brownie edibles placed on brown wrapper.

What are the Effects of THC Edibles?

The effects of THC edibles vary based on the dose, cannabis strain, and your digestive system.

The effects of THC edibles can last anywhere from a few hours up to 12 hours. For some, residual effects can last into the following day. THC edibles will give consumers the feeling of being “high”, thanks to the psychoactive properties found in the cannabinoids used to prepare the edibles.

It’s important to read the labels carefully. Since some edibles can take a while to kick it (there can be up to a 2-hour delay between consumption and feeling high!), it’s also essential to consume a smaller dose, to begin with, working your way up to the dose that works for you.

How Long do THC Edibles Stay in Your System?

There are multiple factors that determine how long THC edibles will remain in your system. Consumers choosing to enjoy cannabis edibles can expect the THC to stay in their system anywhere from 3 to 12 days (with exceptions).

Let’s get into the factors that determine how long THC stays in your system after consuming cannabis edibles.

Factors Determining How Long THC Stays in Your System

Much like the way the effects of cannabis edibles are determined, how long THC edibles stay in your system depends on a few different factors, such as the strain, dose, and your own body’s digestive system.

Amount of THC in Edibles

The amount of THC in the edibles can affect how long it stays in your system. Gummies and other edibles are available in a wide range of doses and THC levels. 

If you’re not sure how high of a dose to consume, start small and add more as needed.

But be sure to wait a couple of hours before adding to your dose as there’s a delay in effects compared to smoking or vaping, which you may not be used to!

Type of Edibles Consumed

The method in which you consume edibles has a lot to do with how long it takes for the effects to hit – as well as how long the THC stays in your system.

Edibles that are chewed and swallowed, such as baked goods, chocolate, or gummies, enter your digestive system, heading for your liver. However, edibles that melt in your mouth, such as hard candies or lollipops, enter the system differently.

When the THC is absorbed through the tongue or mouth, it is able to enter the body quicker and pass through the bloodstream, meaning the effects may vary, as well as how long it stays in your system.

Your Digestive System

After consuming edibles, your body’s digestive system gets straight to work. The effects of THC occur when the chemicals found in THC reach the liver, where delta-9 THC is converted to 11-hydroxy THC.

Because the THC is being ingested, it will remain in your body for as long as it takes your digestive system to work the consumed product through your system. Since everyone’s digestive system is different, the amount of time it stays in your system will vary from person to person.

How Often You Consume Edibles

The quantity of consumption, of course, plays a part in how long the THC stays in your body. Eating one gummy vs. two might not have a significant difference, but consuming edibles for extended periods of time or regularly can affect the way the THC stays in your body.

First-time edibles consumers could find that the THC has left their system entirely within 1-2 weeks. For regular consumers, however, THC can remain in the system for longer periods of time – up to a month or more.

Do THC Edibles Show Up on Drug Tests?

If you know you have a routine drug test coming up, you might be wondering whether THC edibles show up on drug tests. The simple answer is yes. But for how long depends on the type of drug test.

Depending on the type of drug test, the way that the body works to process the THC can affect whether or not it will show up on the test.

For drug tests analyzing blood, THC will show up for 3 to 4 hours following consumption. For saliva tests, it will show up anywhere from 1 to 3 days. 

Drug tests analyzing urine can show THC in the system for up to 30 days, and tests on hair follicles can detect the cannabinoid for up to an astounding 90 days or more – though this method is not always deemed as reliable or accurate.

THC Edibles You Can Buy Online

Heard what you needed about THC staying in the system? While the length of time that THC remains in the body varies depending on a variety of factors, the critical thing to remember is to stick to a dose that works for you.

THC edibles are available in varying doses, so try a few different types and strains to find your go-to cannabis edible product. Here are a few high-quality cannabis edibles you may want to try.

Gummies & Jellies

  • Gummies (Dames) – 400mg – 400mg of THC per Pack, 10 x 40mg Gummies. Dames gummies are infused with THC and are great for relaxing after a long day. Expect feelings of relaxation and uninterrupted sleep. Available in multiple flavours.
  • Sour Gummies (Dames) – 400mg – 400mg of THC per Pack, 10 x 40mg Gummies. Everything edible lovers love about Dames gummies, with a sour kick.
  • Mota Jellies (Indica) – Strength: 120mg THC. These jellies are made from scratch and intended for high-tolerance consumers. Mota Jellies are also available in Sativa.
  • Jellies (Mota) – THC Magnum Clear Sphere – 1000 mg THC per Sphere. Made with THC distillate, this one really packs a punch. It can easily be cut into 5 equal 200 mg pieces for accurate dosing. 
  • Gummies (Canndy) – 150 mg THC – 150mg THC per pack, 10x 15mg THC pieces. Carefully dosed, these gummies are perfect for finding your sweet spot.

Chocolate

Drinks

Sources:

https://www.sprouthealthgroup.com/substances/how-long-do-edibles-stay-in-your-system/ 

https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-7-Things-About-Edible-Cannabis-2019-en.pdf 

https://www.sprouthealthgroup.com/substances/how-long-do-drugs-stay-in-your-system/ 

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