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How Long Do THC Gummies Stay In Your System?

12.02.2025 | Reading Time: 7
Written by: Loren Baker
How Long Do THC Gummies Stay In Your System?

THC gummies have become one of the most popular ways to enjoy cannabis—and it's easy to see why. They're delicious, discreet, and deliver a consistent, long-lasting high that keeps you vibing for hours.

But all this popularity means you might have some questions. How long do THC gummies stay in your system? How can you get them to last as long as possible? What factors determine how long their effects stick around?

Let's break it all down. Here's what we'll cover:

  • How long does THC stay in your system?
  • How long do THC gummies stay in your system?
  • What factors affect how long THC gummies last?
  • How to tell if your THC gummies are high-quality

How Long Does THC Stay in Your System?

THC gummies work differently than other cannabis products like vapes or tinctures, but when it comes to THC's pharmacology—how quickly it kicks in, how long it stays active, and how long it remains detectable—there are some almost universal concepts you should know:

  • THC can stay in your system for days to weeks (depending on usage frequency)
  • That doesn't mean you'll feel it that long—the active high typically lasts 4-8 hours
  • The slower a THC product kicks in, the longer the effects tend to last

A variety of factors affect how long THC stays in your system. Here are the most common ones, ranked from most to least important:

  • Your THC dose
  • What product you took
  • How often you're consuming THC
  • Whether you're taking THC with absorption boosters

Let's take a look at each factor individually.

Factor 1: Your THC Dose

The easiest way to affect how long THC stays in your system? Simply adjust your dose.

Larger doses of THC take longer for your body's metabolic enzymes to break down, allowing THC to stay in your system for extended periods.

Smaller doses, on the other hand, don't require as much processing time, meaning this THC exits your system faster.

Research backs up this concept. One cannabinoid study found that doses of 100+ milligrams stay in your system 2-3 times longer than smaller doses. [1] A microdose might only produce active effects for a few hours, while a high dose can deliver an elevated experience that lasts much longer.

Factor 2: What Product You Took

THC's staying power varies significantly based on the type of product you consume. Generally, the faster a product kicks in, the faster it tends to leave your system. Products that kick in slowly tend to permeate the digestive tract more thoroughly and stick around longer.

Here's how different products compare:

  • Vape pens: Kick in very fast / leave your system fast
  • Tinctures: Kick in fairly fast / leave your system at a moderate rate
  • Edibles (gummies): Kick in slowly / leave your system equally slowly

THC oil is one exception to this rule—it kicks in relatively fast yet leaves your system slowly. From a pharmacological perspective, THC oil acts as two products in one. When you hold it under your tongue, it acts as a sublingual that absorbs straight into the bloodstream through the mouth's mucous membranes. Once you swallow, it switches over to behaving like an edible, with the THC getting absorbed only after being processed by the liver. [2]

Factor 3: How Often You're Consuming THC

Most people don't realize just how adaptable the body's endocannabinoid system is. The more often you nourish this system with THC and other cannabinoids, the more efficient your body's breakdown enzymes become at processing them.

Translation: if you've been enjoying THC regularly for more than a month, it may not stay in your system for quite as long as it used to. If you're brand new to THC, even a smaller dose may produce effects that last longer than expected. [3]

Factor 4: Whether You're Taking THC with Absorption Boosters

THC's solubility gives us hints about how long it might stay in your system. Like most cannabinoids, THC is fat-soluble, which means it absorbs best when taken alongside dietary fats.

This effect is so pronounced that it even applies to what you eat. Taking a THC gummy right after a fatty meal causes the THC to kick in faster and be absorbed more completely. [4]

Certain plant compounds can also improve THC's bioavailability. A compound found in black pepper called piperine is known to increase cannabinoid absorption rates, which likely extends how long the cannabinoid stays in your system, too.

Other cannabinoids can also help THC stay in your system longer. These compounds are thought to help shuttle THC to its most important molecular destinations through something researchers call the entourage effect. Taking THC alongside CBD, CBN, CBG, and other cannabinoids may enable it to produce longer-lasting, more balanced effects.

(If this sounds complex, don't worry. You don't need to understand the entourage effect to benefit from it—all you need to do is choose a full spectrum THC gummy made with multiple cannabinoids.)

How Long Do THC Gummies Stay in Your System?

Five's THC Gummies produce active effects that typically last 4-8 hours, depending on the dose and your individual metabolism. Most customers start to feel the effects within 30-60 minutes after consumption.

After the active high wears off, THC and its metabolites can remain detectable in your system for much longer—anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how frequently you consume THC.

The slow onset time and gradual absorption of THC gummies actually make them perfect for certain situations. One practical benefit? Taking a THC gummy provides hours of consistent effects without the peaks and valleys you might experience with faster-acting products.

Another benefit? THC gummies may provide an extra-thorough experience since the cannabinoids pass through the entire digestive tract as they get absorbed, allowing for maximum interaction with cannabinoid receptors throughout your body.

How to Tell If Your THC Gummies Are High-Quality

So far we've covered how THC works, how long THC gummies tend to stay in your system, and how various factors can affect both. Now let's go over what you can expect to find in a truly long-lasting, premium THC gummy.

First and foremost, opt for THC gummies that include a full spectrum of cannabinoids. This is more important than you might think. In addition to THC, quality gummies should also contain CBD for balance, plus trace cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, or CBC. The very best THC gummies include all these compounds in carefully crafted ratios designed for specific experiences.

Just as important as these must-haves is what's not in a THC gummy. Look for gummies that are verifiably free of artificial colors, artificial flavors, residual solvents, and contaminants. Bonus points for gummies that use organic ingredients and natural colors from fruit and vegetable extracts.

Every Five product undergoes rigorous third-party testing to ensure potency and safety—and all Certificates of Analysis are available to the public.

Five's THC Gummy Lineup

Daily Buzz Gummies

  • How long do they stay in your system? 4-6 hours of active effects
  • Total cannabinoids per serving: 5mg THC + 25mg CBD
  • Flavor options: Blue Razz, Redberry, Lemon, Orange

If you're looking for a buzz that's strong enough to uplift but balanced enough to keep you functional, Daily Buzz Gummies might be perfect for you. They're just as great for powering through a busy day as they are for fostering a chill, laid-back evening.

Daily Microdose Gummies

  • How long do they stay in your system? 3-5 hours of active effects
  • Total cannabinoids per serving: 2mg THC + 25mg CBD
  • Flavor options: Blue Razz, Redberry, Lemon, Orange

New to THC or prefer to keep things light? Daily Microdose Gummies deliver a subtle lift that's perfect for staying functional while enjoying a gentle buzz. Take one in the morning, during the day, or in the evening for a low-key experience.

Indica Chill Gummies (10mg)

  • How long do they stay in your system? 5-8 hours of active effects
  • Total cannabinoids per serving: 10mg THC + 10mg CBD + 2mg CBN
  • Flavor options: Blue Razz

Ready to experience full relaxation? Indica Chill Gummies are crafted with a higher dose of THC plus CBN for that classic indica-like, couch-locking experience. Perfect for unwinding at home or preparing for a great night's rest.

Sativa Surge Gummies (10mg)

  • How long do they stay in your system? 5-8 hours of active effects
  • Total cannabinoids per serving: 10mg THC + 10mg CBD + 2mg CBC
  • Flavor options: Sour Blue Razz

Need an energizing lift? Sativa Surge Gummies deliver high-energy vibes with a sativa-like personality. Great for social situations, creative projects, or anytime you want to stay active while elevated.

Hybrid Vibes Gummies (10mg)

  • How long do they stay in your system? 5-8 hours of active effects
  • Total cannabinoids per serving: 10mg THC + 10mg CBD + 2mg CBG
  • Flavor options: Red Razz

Want the best of both worlds? Hybrid Vibes Gummies deliver a balanced experience that's the perfect sweet spot between chill and high energy. An anytime vibe for whatever you're feeling.

Knockout Sleep Gummies

  • How long do they stay in your system? 6-10 hours of active effects
  • Total active ingredients per serving: 5mg THC + 50mg CBD + 3mg melatonin
  • Flavor options: Blackberry

Knockout Sleep Gummies take an already-great THC gummy formula and add melatonin to help you knock out when it's time for bed. The combination of THC, CBD, and melatonin creates a powerful formula designed to help you fully unwind at night.

Quick Hits (15mg Fast-Acting)

  • How long do they stay in your system? 3-5 hours of active effects
  • Total cannabinoids per serving: 15mg THC with strain-specific terpenes
  • Flavor options: Blue Dream (Blue Razz), Pineapple Express (Pineapple), Lemon Haze, Sour Diesel

Want effects that kick in fast? Quick Hits use nano-emulsification technology to deliver effects in under 10 minutes—compared to the 30-60 minutes typical of traditional edibles. Each gummy is infused with strain-specific terpenes for an authentic cannabis experience.

Sour Buzz Gummies

  • How long do they stay in your system? 4-6 hours of active effects
  • Total cannabinoids per serving: 5mg THC + 25mg CBD
  • Flavor options: Sour Blue Razz, Sour Redberry, Sour Lemon, Sour Orange

Love the Daily Buzz experience but craving something tangier? Sour Buzz Gummies deliver the same uplifting effects with a mouth-puckering sour twist that lights up your taste buds.

Summing Things Up

All in all, what's not to love about THC gummies? They're delicious, discreet, and highly effective. They stay in your system long enough to turn an ordinary day into an elevated one—and turn a good day into something great.

And if you want your THC gummy of choice to deliver even longer-lasting effects, you can do that, too. Just opt for a higher dose, take your next gummy alongside a fatty meal, or choose a THC gummy that includes synergistic ingredients like CBN, melatonin, or strain-specific terpenes. Then get ready for hours of all-natural elevation!

Ready to find your perfect THC gummy? Shop the full Five THC Gummies collection and discover why over 500,000 customers trust Five for their cannabis needs.

References

  1. Taylor, L., Gidal, B., Blakey, G., Tayo, B., & Morrison, G. (2018). A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose, Multiple Dose, and Food Effect Trial of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects. CNS Drugs. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31222854/
  2. Ujváry, I., & Hanuš, L. (2016). Human Metabolites of Cannabidiol: A Review on Their Formation, Biological Activity, and Relevance in Therapy. Forensic Toxicology. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11419-019-00467-0
  3. Lucas, C. J., Galettis, P., & Schneider, J. (2018). The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32504461/
  4. WebMD. (2019). A Fatty Meal Might Affect How You Absorb CBD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20190816/a-fatty-meal-might-affect-how-you-absorb-cbd