Fears about passing a drug test are an unpleasant reality for pot smokers. When faced with the possibility, the first thing most people want to know is just how long weed stays in your system. Since it’s different for everyone, don’t trust anyone who says they can give you a definitive answer. But here are some facts about passing a drug test that will help give you an idea.
Urine Drug Test Detection Times
There’s a lot of outdated information on the Internet about how long THC metabolites can be detected in urine. At one time it was thought that they could be detected for as long as 90 days, but more recent information has shown that it’s actually much less than that.
Today it’s accepted that the detection period for marijuana in urine ranges from a few days to about 6 weeks. A few days if you’re an infrequent user, and up to 6 weeks if you’re a regular user. Passing a drug test when you have to give a urine sample can be problematic for two reasons: one, because it has the longest detection time, and two, because urine tests are the most common type administered.
The actual length of time weed will show up in your urine can vary widely, depending on factors like how often you smoke, the grade of bud you smoke, your individual metabolism, and your body fat percentage. For example, if you have a relatively fast metabolism and you only smoke once a month, passing a drug test naturally is possible within a few days. But if you’re a heavy smoker with a slower metabolism, expect it to realistically take anywhere from 4-6 weeks.
Passing Other Types Of Marijuana Drug Tests Besides Urine
Blood tests have a relatively short detection time for pot, at just 2-3 days for infrequent users and up to 2 weeks for regular users. And saliva tests have the shortest detection time of all, ranging from 24-hours to 1 week (with the norm being somewhere around 2-3 days).
Hair follicle tests can detect all types of drugs, but typically a hair test will only examine 90 days of prior history. There are several hair products on the market for passing a drug test, all of which have questionable reliability rates. However, the good news is that THC evidence tends to be weaker than other drug classes. Which means that you probably can’t cover up any other drug use, but you might have a chance if all you do is smoke pot.
What About Passing A Drug Test For Other Toxins?
Most recreational drugs are out of your system in less than a week, and after that they don’t show up in blood, saliva or urine tests. Barbiturates are kind of a wild card, because their detection times can vary depending on the particular drug and how long you’ve been taking it. Some are a few days, and some are a few weeks. So if you’re in the habit of using un-prescribed barbiturates, you’ll need to get on the Internet and look for specific information about the particular drug by name.
Is Passing A Drug Test Even Possible If You Have THC In Your System?
Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of drug tests administered are for either urine or saliva, both of which are entirely possible to pass. You’ll find plenty of information about passing a drug test on this website.
But if you’re wondering whether or not you might be clean already, you’re not going to find the answer on the Internet. Go to a pharmacy and buy a single-panel drug test strip, and administer it to yourself at home. Passing a drug test is too important, and that’s the only way you’re going to find out for sure exactly where you stand.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Hi ,my name is leigh, I’m a socail user, in the last week Iv’e injected heoin & meth, today being the last day of useing. Iv’e got to have a urine test for anew job on friday 9/4/09 which is 7 days away and I no it will be early in the morning ? is my urine going to show the simptoms, please help!
August 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
If you rarely use then there’s a good chance you’ll be clean by next Friday. Dilution wouldn’t help you, so hopefully time will do the trick. If the pharmacies there in Australia sell home test kits, I’d recommend getting one so that you can test yourself next Thursday, to make sure.
September 26th, 2009 at 9:38 am
So how long could it possibly be in my system if I’m thin with a fast metabolism and smoked like once a week?
September 26th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Kassandra,
You *might* be clean in as little as a week. Only way to know for sure is to buy a home test from a drug store, and just test yourself!
September 29th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I just found out that that I have to test in less than 24 hours.I don’t smoke everyday,maby two or three times a week.Its been a day or so already.I’m doing the flushing deal rite now and if someone could recomend a product hebal or othrewise please do so with a quickness
October 14th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I’ve been smoking pot, and for the last few months, eating cookies for the last 10 years. This is daily use, and legal in my state, due to medical mj law. How long til I’m clean, and can employers really discriminate against me for using prescription drugs?
October 14th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Kathryn,
How long till you’re clean is anybody’s guess, but somewhere between 1-2 months or so. Everyone’s different, so you’d just have to test yourself occasionally to check.
And yes, employers can legally discriminate against you even if it’s legal in your state for medical use, since it’s still illegal at the federal level. Sucks, but that’s the way it is for now.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
If you have a valid precription, can an emplyer denie you emolument? Everyone tells me know, but I always have doubts. Thanks.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Sorrry about my spelling mishaps, the iPhone can make me seem more stupid than I already am. I have two valid scripts-one(1) for anxiety and one(1) for pain. I have to take a saliva test on Monday. Can they deny me employment if I fail the saliva test because of my scripts? Any advice on how to take the test?
November 7th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Billy Boy,
Unfortunately it’s up to the employer whether or not to hire you, even when you have valid prescriptions. Employees don’t have a lot of rights in this area. Take your medication bottles to show as evidence, and just hope that the decision-maker is a reasonable person.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
my b.m.i. is 25.8 and I smoke about 1/2 joint every two days, and thats usely at night. I have to take a drug test tomorrow. what can I do to passthis test
November 17th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I smoke about 1/2 joint per night and I now have to take a ur test.
how can I pass can I do?
November 17th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I go through this every month. All it takes is water and sweat. Sometimes niacin(recommended dose)it just helps to make you sweat. I highly recomend the “First Check” at home test. One thing in your favor is that joints give you the least amount of THC. (get a pipe)