How Long Does Delta-9 THC Stay In Your System?

Whether you just tried Five's Daily Buzz gummies for the first time or you're a seasoned fan of our 10mg Indica Chill, you might be wondering: how long will delta-9 THC actually stay in my system?

Maybe you've got a drug test coming up. Maybe you're just curious about the science. Either way, the answer involves some fascinating biology — and a few important variables you should understand.

The Quick Answer

The effects of THC gummies typically last 2-8 hours. But THC metabolites can remain detectable in your body for much longer: anywhere from a few days to over a month, depending on how often you consume and what type of test you're facing.

Let's break down the science.

What Happens When You Take a THC Gummy

When you enjoy one of Five's THC gummies — whether it's a 2mg Daily Microdose or a full 10mg Sativa Surge — it begins a journey through your digestive system to your liver.

This is called "first-pass metabolism." According to the National Institutes of Health, THC is poorly absorbed orally and undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver, where it's converted into both active and inactive metabolites. The primary psychoactive metabolite is 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), which is actually more potent than THC itself and crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily.

This liver processing is why edibles produce different effects than smoking or vaping. When you inhale cannabis, only about 20% gets converted to 11-OH-THC. But with edibles like gummies, nearly all of it passes through the liver first, creating higher ratios of this potent metabolite.

11-OH-THC is then further metabolized into THC-COOH (11-nor-9-carboxy-THC), which is non-psychoactive but sticks around in your body for much longer. This is the metabolite that drug tests actually detect.

Why THC Lingers: The Fat Storage Factor

Both THC and its metabolites are highly fat-soluble (lipophilic). This means they don't just pass through your system — they get absorbed into your body's fat tissue.

Think of it like a sponge slowly releasing water. The THC stored in your fat cells gradually releases back into your bloodstream over time, gets processed again by your liver, and eventually exits through urine and feces. This slow release is why heavy users can test positive weeks after their last dose.

Detection Times by Usage Pattern

Research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse examined THC elimination in cannabis users under continuous medical surveillance. Here's what the science shows:

Occasional users (once per week or less):

• First negative urine test: Within 1 day on average
• Last positive urine test: Around 4 days

Moderate users (several times per week):

• First negative urine test: Around 3 days
• Last positive urine test: Up to 10 days

Daily/heavy users:

• First negative urine test: Around 5 days
• Last positive urine test: Up to 15+ days

According to research published by NIH, chronic daily cannabis users may have detectable THC-COOH in their urine for up to 30 days when measured by lab testing, and immunoassay screening tests have detected metabolites for even longer periods in some cases.

Detection Windows by Test Type

Different testing methods have different detection windows:

Urine tests are most common. For occasional users, expect a detection window of 3-4 days. For daily users, this extends to 10-30+ days. The standard screening cutoff is 50 ng/mL, though confirmation tests may use lower thresholds.

Blood tests have a much shorter window — typically 1-2 days for THC itself. These are usually reserved for accident investigations or DUI cases where recent impairment is the question.

Saliva tests detect THC for approximately 24-72 hours. They're becoming more common for roadside testing.

Hair tests have the longest detection window — up to 90 days. THC metabolites get incorporated into hair follicles as your hair grows. However, hair tests are less common due to cost and the fact that they can't detect very recent use.

Factors That Affect Your Personal Timeline

Everyone metabolizes THC differently. Here's what influences how long it stays in your system:

Dosage and potency: A 2mg Microdose Sleep gummy will clear faster than a 10mg Hybrid Vibes gummy, simply because there's less THC to process.

Frequency of use: This is the biggest factor. Occasional users clear THC much faster than daily users because there's less accumulated in fat stores. Research from NIH found statistically significant correlations between initial metabolite concentrations and the number of days until negative tests.

Body composition: Higher body fat percentage means more storage capacity for THC metabolites, potentially extending detection times.

Metabolism: Faster metabolizers process THC more quickly. Age, genetics, and overall health all play a role.

Hydration and diet: While you can't dramatically speed up THC elimination, staying well-hydrated supports your body's normal excretion processes.

Choosing the Right Five Gummy for Your Situation

Understanding detection times can help you make smarter choices about which products fit your lifestyle:

For minimal detection risk: Our 2mg Daily Microdose gummies deliver a subtle lift with the lowest THC content in our lineup. Used occasionally, these will clear your system fastest.

For balanced everyday enjoyment: Daily Buzz and Sour Buzz gummies contain 5mg THC each — a moderate dose in flavors like Blue Razz, Redberry, Lemon, and Orange.

For experienced users seeking full effects: Our 10mg mood gummies — Indica Chill (with CBN for couch-locking vibes), Hybrid Vibes (with CBG for balance), and Sativa Surge (with CBC for energy) — deliver dispensary-level experiences for those who know their tolerance.

For nighttime use: Knockout Sleep gummies (5mg THC + melatonin) or Microdose Sleep gummies (2mg THC + melatonin) are crafted specifically for winding down.

Browse the complete THC gummies collection to find your ideal match.

The CBD Factor

Five's gummies contain both THC and CBD in carefully balanced ratios. Does CBD affect how long THC stays in your system?

CBD itself doesn't trigger positive drug tests (standard tests look for THC metabolites, not CBD). However, CBD and THC are both metabolized by similar liver enzymes. Some research suggests CBD might slightly slow THC metabolism, though the effect appears minimal at the doses found in consumer products.

The more important consideration: full-spectrum products like Five's gummies contain trace amounts of multiple cannabinoids working together. This "entourage effect" is why many people prefer full-spectrum products — the compounds complement each other for a more balanced experience.

 

The Bottom Line

Delta-9 THC from gummies typically produces effects lasting 2-8 hours, but metabolites remain detectable for days to weeks depending on your usage pattern and the type of test. The science is clear: frequency of use is the biggest factor determining how long THC stays in your system.

All Five products are made from federally legal hemp-derived THC, undergo rigorous third-party testing, and have publicly available certificates of analysis. But "legal" and "won't show on a drug test" aren't the same thing — plan accordingly.

Ready to explore? Check out Five's complete THC gummies collection and find the right vibe for your lifestyle.