Whether you’re a daily stoner or a first-timer, it pays to know how long THCA can linger in your body—especially if you have a drug test coming up!
So, how long does THCA stay in your system? Well, the answer isn’t always straightforward. It depends on your usage frequency and many other individual factors. But don’t worry, you’re in the right place!
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about THCA in your system, including drug screening and factors affecting detection windows from person to person. Read on to be in the know and make informed decisions on your cannabis consumption.
What is THCA?
Let’s discuss the basics first to ensure we are on the same page. What is THCA?
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is one of the main cannabinoids and the non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in abundance in raw cannabis plants. By “non-psychoactive,” we mean unlike THC, it won’t get you high— at least not in its raw form.
But THCA has a trick up its sleeve. Once heated (smoking, vaping, or baking), it loses a small part of its molecular structure (the “carboxyl group”) through a process known as decarboxylation. This change turns THCA into delta 9 THC, which brings on those psychoactive effects many people are looking for.
And since many cannabis users are looking to partake in THCA in its heated form, you can now see why it’s essential to understand it in relation to drug tests. So, if now you’re wondering if THCA will show up on drug tests as THC, don’t worry; we’ll get to that soon!
How Long Does THCA Stay in Your System?
The amount of time THCA stays in your system is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It will depend on many factors like usage, metabolism, and method of consumption, which we will see shortly. But generally, if you’re a light user who only consumes THCA flowers occasionally, you may only have detectable THC metabolites for a few days. If you’re a heavy user, it could be a few weeks.
Here’s a quick look at urine tests (the most common type of drug tests) for both light and heavy users:
-
Light/Occasional Users: 3–5 days
-
Heavy Users: 10–30 days or more
Of course, these are rough estimates. Everyone’s system is different, so let’s get into the major factors that affect how long THCA stays in your body.
Factors Affecting How Long THCA Stays In Your System
Metabolic rate
Your metabolism determines how fast your body breaks down cannabis products. People with faster metabolisms may clear THC metabolites faster, while those with slower metabolisms may retain them longer.
Frequency of use
Using THCA once in a blue moon is a lot different from using it every day. Occasional users may clear it quickly, while heavy users build up more metabolites, leading to a longer detection window.
Body fat percentage
THC is fat soluble. If you have more fat cells, you may store more THC levels in your body. This means the detection window could be longer if you’re on the higher end of body fat.
Consumption method
THca consumed through edible ingestion, say gummies or cookies, has to pass through the digestion system first, and later, it is absorbed slowly into your blood stream; hence, it can be detected for a longer time than smoking or vaping,
Dosage
The more you consume, the more cannabis there is for your body to process and, thus, the longer thca remains detectable in your system.
Does THCA Show Up On A Drug Test?
Yes, THCA can show up on a drug test. Most standard drug tests don’t test for THCA, but they do test for THC metabolites like THC-COOH. that are produced when your body processes and breaks down the THCA in your liver.
And here’s the thing: THC metabolites can hang around longer than active THC itself since they are later stored in your fatty tissues and released slowly into your bloodstream. So even if you don’t feel “high,” those byproducts might still be waiting to be detected and can lead to a positive drug test.
So, if you have an upcoming drug test or are subject to regular tests, whether at your employment place or for sports reasons, this is something to keep in mind.
THCA Detection Windows for Different Types of Drug Tests
Employers, law enforcement, and even sports agencies use different methods of drug testing for cannabis use based on their needs. Let’s break down each testing method and talk about detection times for THCA (or, more accurately, its THC metabolites) in different situations.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are less common for general drug use screening because they are invasive but are used in specific cases like DUIs or accidents or checking if someone is currently intoxicated.
-
Occasional users: Up to 1-2 days
-
Frequent users: Up to 7 days
Blood tests measure active THC. Because THC is metabolized quickly, they have a shorter detection window than other tests like urine and hair screenings; these tests are good for finding recent cannabis use.
Urine Tests
Urine drug screenings are the most common type—especially among employers—because they’re cheap, effective, and non-invasive. As far as testing goes, they can detect use from days to weeks after consumption because of how THC metabolites are stored and released from fat.
-
Occasional users: 3-5 days
-
Moderate users: About a week
-
Heavy users: 10-30 days (sometimes more)
Saliva Tests
Saliva tests are growing in popularity because they’re fast, easy, and less invasive than blood draws. They detect very recent use (like in roadside checks).
-
Occasional users: Detectable up to 24-72 hours
-
Regular users: Up to a week
Breath Tests
Breath testing isn’t as common but is gaining traction for law enforcement purposes, for finding recent uses similar to how an alcohol breathalyzer works with alcohol detection.
-
All users: Detectable within about 1-3 hours after smoking or vaping
Since the detection window is so short, it helps authorities catch current impairment rather than past use.
Sweat tests
Some places use sweat tests (often in the form of a patch) to monitor drug use over a longer period. The patch collects sweat and tests for THC metabolites over time.
-
All users: Can detect for a week or more depending on how long the patch is worn
Sweat testing is less common but is used in legal or probation scenarios requiring continuous monitoring.
Hair Tests
Hair tests can detect cannabis use for months as THC metabolites deposit in hair follicles and remain as the hair grows out.
-
All Users: Up to 90 days or more
They don’t show very recent use (like within the past week) but offer a longer history of marijuana use.
Can You Flush THC Metabolites Out of Your System Faster?
Sometimes, we don’t plan our cannabis consumption carefully, and before we know it, there’s a drug test on the horizon. Other times, it could be a total surprise—yikes! If you find yourself in this bind, you might ask, “Is there a way to speed up my body’s natural detox?” The short answer: there’s no magic bullet, but you can support your system’s natural detoxification.
Here are some ways you can help your body clear THC metabolites more effectively:
Exercise
Regular physical activity can help burn fat, which may release stored THC metabolites from your fat cells. Just remember to stay hydrated when you work out.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water supports kidney function and helps flush out toxins. Also, hydration helps you sweat more and pee more, hence getting rid of THC in the process,
Eat Well
A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, veggies, and high-fiber foods can boost your liver and kidneys. Healthy meals also stabilize your metabolism, which may help detox.
Give It Time
Let’s be honest—the best detox method is patience. Your body needs time to process and eliminate any leftover metabolites, so rushing it isn’t really an option.
Detox Supplements
Some products claim to speed up or “guarantee” a clean test. Be cautious and do your due diligence. Most lack solid scientific backing, and results vary. If you try them, use them to supplement an overall healthy routine, not a cure-all.
Ultimately, there’s no instant trick to flush out THC metabolites and guarantee passing a drug test. The safest bet is to allow your body enough time and hope for the best.
Where To Buy The Best THCa Products?
Knowledge, as they say, is power! Now that you know how long THCA can stay in your system, you can make smarter decisions about your cannabis routine. But where do you find top-quality THCA? Let us point you to one of the best options: Bay Smokes.
Bay Smokes offers many THCA goodies—think THCA flower, concentrates like diamonds, prerolls, edibles, vapes, and more. Plus, every product is lab-tested and meets federal legal standards, so you can enjoy it with peace of mind.
Whether you prefer a quick dab, a tasty gummy, or a classic joint, Baysmokes likely has just what you need for your next session!
FAQS:
How long will one hit of a cart stay in your system?
A single puff or hit may result in detectable THC levels for around 1–3 days in your system, depending on individual factors like metabolism, BMI, genetics, and more.
How much THCA is needed for a positive test?
It doesn’t necessarily take a large dose of THCA to trigger a positive test result if it converts to THC. Even small amounts could lead to THC metabolites in your system. Factors like your body chemistry and how often you use THCA make a difference.
How long does thc stay in the body for a heavy user?
For heavy users, THC can linger in urine for more than 30 days due to the accumulation of THC metabolites in fat cells and slower metabolism.
How long can THCA be detected in urine?
In urine drug tests, THCA and its byproducts can be detected for 3–7 days for occasional users, 10–15 days for regular users, and over 30 days for heavy users on average.
Is THCA detectable in saliva tests?
Yes, THCA is detectable in saliva tests, but for shorter amounts of time, usually up to 72 hours. Please note that exposure to secondhand smoke could also lead to false positives in a saliva test.
How long does THCA high last?
A THCA high lasts for 1-3 hours in case of smoking or vaping and 4-8 hours for edibles. Factors like metabolism, tolerance, and dosage will affect the exact length of time.
Will THCA edibles show up on a drug test?
Yes, THCA edibles will show up in a drug test.