Cannabis is now completely legal in 18 US states, with decriminalization and/or medical use exceptions in another 21 states. Thus, people are constantly asking “need-to-know” questions about cannabis in all of its forms. They legitimately wish to learn more about the substance, and the only way that is going to happen is if they are provided the answers via a frank and honest discussion. One of the topics that many want to explore has to do with edibles. Their questions tend to be something along the lines of:
- How long do edibles last?
- How long do edibles take to kick in?
- How long do edibles remain in your system?
- Do edibles stay in your pee?
People need to know these things so they can prepare themselves for the full range of impacts that edibles could have on their body and also brace for what may happen should trace amounts of THC show up on a urine screening. They need the answers to give to their potential employers or anyone else who needs to know about the chemicals that are in their bodies. Fortunately, we are here to answer some of those questions for them.
How Long Do Edibles Last?
Healthline.com has a great breakdown of what you can expect as far as how long edibles are likely to remain in your system:
An edible high generally lasts much longer than smoking or vaping, from six to eight hours.
Among edibles that contain THC, peak blood levels occur around three hours after administration. That’s when the effects are likely to be the most intense.
There are variables that may impact one’s actual experience, but this time range is generally believed to be reasonably accurate for most people. A few factors such as your weight, metabolism, and THC tolerance will play a role in how long an edible remains in your system. Make sure to take those factors into account before assuming that things will play out in any particular fashion in your particular case.
How Long Does It Take For Edibles To Kick In?
Don’t expect to have an immediate effect on an edible as soon as it is consumed. It always takes a little time before you start to feel the effects of this. That is why you need to brace yourself to be prepared for it to kick in approximately 60 to 90 minutes after consumption. This gives the THC enough time to spread throughout your body via your bloodstream and start to do what it is going to do.
If you don’t feel the effects of an edible after 60 to 90 minutes, do NOT take more until you are absolutely certain that you aren’t feeling anything. People often take a larger dose than they intended to when they don’t feel the effects right away, but this can supercharge the impacts of this drug on your body, and you might not like the results.
How Long Do Edibles Remain In Your System?
Once again, the determining factor here often comes down to how much you have consumed and your tolerance levels for this substance. Generally speaking, edibles are prone to remain in your system for approximately three to twelve days after you have first consumed them. This is based on the half-life of cannabis, and it can vary for some people.
There is a major difference in the way that the body breaks down edibles compared to how it breaks down THC that is smoked. When dealing with edibles, it takes the body a lot longer to break it all down. Thus, you can expect the lag time of three to twelve days that we have been talking about. This compares to just about a 24-hour period when dealing with THC that has been smoked. Those who are concerned about how THC may show up on a drug screening for their employer or potential employer may want to think twice before they indulge in edibles. They might show test results that they don’t want to show for longer than anticipated.
How Long Do Edibles Stay In Your Pee?
The most common type of drug screening is a urine test. Most people have taken them if they have ever been employed by a traditional employer, and that is why it is so important that people know how long edibles are likely to remain in their pee. This information can prove important when it comes to if they will pass their screening or not.
Sprout Health Group provides a useful breakdown of how long edibles tend to last in the body depending on the type of test that is conducted:
- Blood: 3-4 Hours
- Saliva: 1-3 Days
- Urine: 3-30 Days
- Hair: Up to 90 days
This is important to know because you need to understand what kind of timeframe you are dealing with depending on what kind of test you are likely to be subjected to. If you are going to have to take a urine test in order to get the job that you want, then you may want to abstain from THC of all kinds for up to 30 days prior to your screening so you can pass the test.
There are many states that now permit edibles consumption either outright or for medical purposes. Still, employers are often allowed to screen for THC even in those states, and you may still be denied an employment opportunity because of your consumption habits. Keep this in mind when going through the process of figuring out if you will take part in the consumption of edibles or not at this time.
No matter how you prefer to consume cannabis, whether it’s through flower, vapes, or edibles, make sure to always do it responsibly. Our knowledgeable budtenders can help you find the right dosage and brand of edibles for your personal use. Planet 13 Dispensaries is here to help with any of your cannabis needs. For more information, contact us and let us know how we can help.
