How Long Does THCA Stay in Your System? - Drug Test Timeline

October 14, 2024

As THCA becomes more popular, many are wondering how long it stays in your system, especially when it comes to drug tests and your overall health.

Whether you’re in a profession that requires regular drug testing or you’re an athlete who’s subject to substance screenings, understanding the length of time THCA stays in your body is essential.

We’ll explore how long THCA remains detectable in your system and the factors influencing the detection window. We’ll also discuss ways to manage THCA levels in your body and more!

What is THCA?

THCA stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It’s the precursor or acid form of THC found in raw and live cannabis plants. In other words, THCA is the raw form of THC.

In its raw form, THCA is non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you high. But when heat is applied through a process called decarboxylation, THCA loses its carboxyl group and turns into the THC we all know and love.

Does this mean that ingestion of THCA gives you the same effects as THC? To answer that, let’s look at the effects of THCA.

THCA Effects

The effects of THCA will depend on whether you are consuming it raw or heated. If you were to eat raw cannabis buds or leaves, you wouldn’t feel anything.

But if you’re like most cannabis users, you’re probably more interested in smoking, vaping, or baking with THCA. In those cases, heat converts THCA to THC, as mentioned earlier, and that’s when you can expect the familiar psychoactive effects of cannabis use.

Depending on the strain’s cannabinoid profile, you might experience:

• Euphoria

• Relaxation

• Energetic

• The munchies

• Heightened senses

• Changes in mood or creativity

• Sleepiness

THCA vs. THC

By now, it is clear that there’s a thin line between THCA and THC, with heat being the link. But despite being so close, THCA and THC do have some differences, including:

• Psychoactivity: THC is already active and will get you high immediately. THCA is inactive and needs to be decarboxylated (heated) to become active.

• Chemical structure: THCA has an extra carboxyl group that THC doesn’t. This extra group gets removed through decarboxylation, usually by heat converting THCA to THC.

• Found in: THCA is in raw cannabis or raw extracts, while THC is in heated or cured cannabis products.

• Legality: From a legal standpoint, THCA is generally accepted as legal because it’s found in hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp also recognizes the various compounds in hemp, like THCA, as long as they have no more than 0.3 delta 9 THC. THC, on the other hand, is more strictly regulated.

How Long Does THCA Stay in Your System?

Now that you’re up to speed on THCA let’s tackle the big question: How long does THCA stay in your body?

While drug tests don’t specifically look for THCA, they do test for THC metabolites—mainly THC-COOH.

But hold on—THCA can still lead to a positive test. Remember, THCA converts to THC either through heat or your body’s natural processes, which can result in detectable THC levels.

Even if you consume raw THCA, your liver can convert it into THC, which then breaks down into metabolites that drug tests pick up.

Unfortunately, science doesn’t clearly answer exactly how long THCA stays in your system. It varies depending on several factors, with usage frequency being a playing factor.

Factors Influencing Duration

• Individual Metabolism: Your body’s metabolism is like your personal clean-up crew. Faster metabolism means faster processing and elimination of cannabinoids. So, if you have a fast metabolic rate, you’ll clear THCA metabolites faster than your slow-metabolizing friends.

• Frequency of use: Occasional users may clear THCA metabolites in a few days, while heavy users may test positive for weeks after their last use. Why? Because cannabinoids can accumulate in your fat cells over time with repeated use.

• Body composition: Cannabinoids are lipophilic, meaning they love fatty tissues. So, if you have a higher body fat percentage, you may retain THCA metabolites longer.

Consumption Methods and Detection Times

How you consume THCA also matters. Smoking or vaping may lead to a faster onset of effects and hence a shorter detection time of a shorter detection window, 3-7 days for occasional users and up to 30 days for heavy users.

Because of how your body processes them, edibles may result in longer detection times of 3-12 days for infrequent users and up to 30 days or more for frequent users. They go through the digestive system and hence have a slower onset.

Tinctures fall somewhere in between smoking and edibles in terms of detection time, 3-7 days. Topicals are less common and generally have the shortest detection time in standard drug tests, if detectable at all.

Types Of Drug Tests

Blood Tests

Blood tests can detect THCA for a short period, 1-2 days for casual users and up to a week for frequent users. These tests are less common because they are invasive and have a shorter detection window.

Urine Tests

Urine tests or urine drug screens are the most common type of drug test due to their simplicity and non-invasive nature. These tests can detect THCA cannabis metabolites for the following timeframes:

• Casual users: 1-7 days

• Regular users: 10-15 days

• Heavy or chronic users: Up to 30 days or more

These detection windows can vary based on individual factors like metabolism and frequency of use.

Hair Test

Hair tests for marijuana can detect THC and its metabolites for an extended period. Here’s a breakdown of how long marijuana can typically be detected in hair:

• Detection Period: Marijuana can generally be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days after use; however, it depends on various factors such as usage frequency and individual hair growth rates.

• Usage: The more frequently someone uses cannabis products, the more likely it is that THC will accumulate in the hair, potentially extending the detection window.

• Hair Growth Rate: On average, hair grows about half an inch per month, and a standard hair test typically analyzes the first 1.5 inches of hair from the scalp. Hair tests reflect use over the past three months or so.

Saliva Test

Saliva tests detect THC use within the past 24-72 hours. They’re becoming more popular because they’re non-invasive and can detect recent use.

Breath Test

Breath tests are a newer testing method, similar to an alcohol breathalyzer. They typically detect THC use within the past 2-3 hours. They are hence used to identify recent consumption, such as in cases of driving under the influence.

Sweat Test

Cannabis can typically be detected in sweat for 1 to 14 days after use, depending on factors like frequency of use and individual metabolism.

Detection Period:

• Occasional users: Detectable for about 1-3 days.

• Regular users: May extend up to 7+ days.

Ways to Get THCA Metabolites Out of Your System

So, you have a drug test coming up, and you want to know how to get THCA metabolites out of your system? Unfortunately, there is no magic pill. But here are some things you can do to help flush them out and reduce false positives:

1. Hydration: Drinking lots of water can flush out toxins, including THCA metabolites. However, drinking too much water right before a urine drug test can dilute the urine and raise red flags.

2. Diet: A balanced diet with fiber can speed up your metabolism and help eliminate toxins. Foods high in antioxidants, like berries and leafy greens, can support your body’s natural detoxification.

3. Exercise: Regular physical activity can burn fat cells where THCA metabolites are stored. But don’t exercise right before a test, as it can temporarily increase THC levels in your bloodstream.

4. Detox methods: Many detox products and herbal supplements claim to remove THC fast, but there is limited science to back it up. Always approach with caution and do your due diligence.

5. Abstaining from marijuana use: Depending on your usage frequency and metabolism, abstaining from cannabis consumption for several weeks before your test can increase your chances of passing.

Where To Buy The Best THCa Products?

THCA has risen in popularity, as has the rate at which THCA products are flooding the market. If you’re looking for the best THCA, you won’t be disappointed buying from Bay Smokes. As a pioneer in hemp-derived products and the most trusted THCA brand, many perks come with purchasing at Bay Smokes.

Our THCA products are all lab-tested for potency and safety. Unlike other vendors, Bay Smokes provides comprehensive information, including lab results and high-quality products, to ensure a transparent and trustworthy shopping experience.

You also get a repertoire of THCA products to choose from, like:

• THCA Flower

• THCA Pre Rolls

• THCA Vape Cartridges

• THCA Concentrates

• THCA Diamonds

• THCA Gummies

• THCA Disposable Vapes

Browse and shop your favorite THCA products and enjoy free discreet shipping on orders over $77!

FAQ:

Does THCA Show Up on Drug Screenings?

Yes, since THCA can convert to THC in your body or when exposed to heat, it will show up as THC metabolites on drug screenings.

Can Hydration Levels Affect THCA Detection in Drug Tests?

Honestly, no amount of water will thoroughly flush THCA metabolites from your system at once. It only helps to speed up elimination through pee and sweat.

How Long Will One Hit of a Cart Stay in Your System?

On average, a single hit of the cart stays in your system for 42 hours.

How Long Does THCA Remain Detectable in Blood Tests?

THCA or THC can be detectable in blood for a few hours to a couple of days after use. It all depends on metabolism, frequency of use, and dosage. Expect a positive test result if you are subject to a blood test days after smoking some pot.

What is THC-COOH?

THC-COOH is a metabolite of THC that drug tests look for. It has a longer detection window in your system than THC itself.

Why is THCA Detectable?

THCA is detectable because it converts to THC when heated, and THC metabolites are what most drug tests are looking for.

Is THCA Detectable in a Drug Test?

Drug tests don’t look for THCA specifically, but its presence will show up as a positive drug test result. Since THCA can convert to THC in your body, it’s the THC metabolites that the tests detect.