⏰ TL;DR: THC can stay in the blood for 3-4+ hours, saliva for 72+ hours, urine for 30+ days, and hair for 90+ days.
Curious about how long edibles stick around in your system? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all—it can vary depending on things like your body, how often you indulge, and more. Here you will learn all the details about how edibles work with your body and discover how long edibles really can stay in your system.
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Article Features
- It depends on how much and how frequently you consume THC
- This can vary greatly depending on your physiology and metabolism
- Want to skip the hard work? Shop with me and have premium, high-quality cannabis products delivered directly to your door! Now shipping across the US.
Why You Will Love This Guide
Edibles are super tasty treats brownies, cookies, or even butter that are infused with THC or CBD.
They’re a fun and easy way to enjoy cannabinoids, but one big question a lot of people have is how long they stick around in your system.
Whether you’re planning your experience or worried about things like drug tests, it’s good to know what to expect.
The tricky part is that how long edibles stay in your body can vary a lot from person to person—it all depends on things like your metabolism and dosage.
Don’t worry, though! This guide will break it all down for you so you can feel more confident about your edible adventure. Let’s get started!
How Long Can Edibles Stay In Your System
Ever wondered how long edibles stick around in your system?
Whether you’re a casual user or a fan of cannabis-infused treats, it’s good to know what to expect—especially if THC is involved.
THC (the stuff that gives you that “high” feeling) can vary in how long it stays in your body depending on a bunch of factors.
Here’s a quick breakdown on where THC can linger:
- Saliva: Up to 72 hours
- Blood: Around 3–4 hours
- Urine: About 30 days
- Hair: Up to 90 days
But keep in mind—everyone’s different!
While you might feel the effects of edibles for a few hours, THC can hang out in your body way longer.
Things like how much you ate, how often you use cannabis, your body type, and even your metabolism can all impact how long THC sticks around.
It’s definitely not an exact science, but understanding these factors can give you a better idea of what to expect and how your body processes THC.
Additional factors that can affect your final experience:
- Amount of THC consumed – how much THC you consume will affect the duration of the experience
- Frequency of use – infrequent users may be able to clear THC from their system faster than someone who is a habitual user
- Body type – THC is stored in the fatty tissue, thus influenced by body fat composition or body mass index
- Metabolic rate – those who have a slower metabolism may take longer to process THC than those who have faster metabolism
How Edibles Work in the Body
If you’re new to edibles, don’t sweat it—I’ve got you covered. First, I’d definitely recommend starting with my beginner’s guide to get the basics down.
Now, edibles are super popular for a reason, but they can be a bit tricky if you’re not familiar with how they work.
The thing is, everyone’s body reacts a little differently because it all depends on how your unique endocannabinoid system processes them.
Now, when it comes to THC edibles (not CBD or CBG), the effects can catch you off guard if you’re not careful.
That’s because when you eat THC, your liver processes it and creates something called 11-hydroxy THC, which can feel even stronger than smoking.
It starts out simple—edibles are eaten, make their way through your digestive system, and then get absorbed into your bloodstream.
But here’s the catch: this whole process can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes before you start to feel anything.
And since everyone processes THC differently, the effects can last for varying amounts of time. For some, it’s a few hours of feeling good; for others, it can linger a bit longer.
Plus, THC can hang around in your fat cells even after the effects wear off, which explains why it might show up on drug tests days or even weeks later.
🧁 Edibles are amazing if you’re prepared, so take your time, know your limits, and enjoy!
Getting Ready For a Drug Test
If you’ve got a drug test coming up, don’t stress—here’s a simple breakdown to help you prepare!
Most drug tests check for delta-9 THC levels, so knowing what kind of test you’re facing can make a big difference.
Here are the most common types of tests you might encounter:
- Blood test
- Saliva test
- Hair follicle test
- Urine test
The safest and most reliable way to pass a drug test?
Take a break from THC entirely, since even tiny amounts can show up and lead to a positive result.
Unfortunately, many places don’t offer much protection for medical marijuana users, so it’s important to be ready.
If you’re short on time and need to try something quick, people often share tips like:
- Drinking plenty of water, green tea, cranberry juice
- Anything packed with vitamin C.
- Some folks also swear by detox drinks or kits—though keep in mind results can vary!
Take your edibles to the next level…
My Edibles Made Easy Online Cooking Course will teach you how to easily make cannabis edibles and topical recipes at home. This step-by-step video course will teach you how to infuse, extract, and create edibles with many different product types – all from the comfort of your own home.
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Hi Emily my name is Estelle do you have a recipe for menopause symptoms?
Hello Estelle! Regarding cannabis, it’s always important to remember we must treat the person, not the condition. I don’t have anything specific for menopause because what you may need will be different than what other women need. The best option for you is to start with my beginner’s guide to cannabis so you can discover what works best for you!
Thank you so much for the recipes. My husband has chronic pain and short of a ton of pill the gummies help a lot. First batch was a trainwreck but I am getting better at them. Again, Thank you for your recipes..Debbie
You are so sweet, thank you so much for your kind words, Debbie 🙂 I am so glad you are helping your husband find relief!