Yes, if you use products with Delta 8 THC, it will show up on a drug test. Though Delta 8 is a minor cannabinoid, standard drug tests can still detect it. Most routine drug tests usually focus on Delta-9 THC since it’s an illegal substance; however, these kinds of tests don’t look for the specific type of THC. For instance, urine tests look for THC metabolites that your body produces called THC-COOH. So if you’ve used any product containing Delta 8THC previously, this metabolite will be in your system and detectable by the test.
There is currently no research regarding how long Delta 8THC stays in your system; however, based on its chemical structure, it’s likely that it will be metabolized and eliminated from your body at a similar rate as other cannabinoids like CBD. This means that traces of Delta 8 could potentially show up on a drug test anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after you last used it. If you’re concerned about passing a drug test, it’s best to avoid using any products containing Delta 8 THC.
What is Delta 8?
Delta-8 THC is a type of cannabinoid that can be extracted from either cannabis or hemp plants. It’s not as commonly found as Delta-9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), or other cannabinoids; thus it’s classified as a minor cannabinoid. The only structural dissimilarity between Delta-8 and Delta-9THC is the location of the double bond–at the 8th carbon chain for Delta-8, and at the 9th chain for Delta=9. There are also some additional variances in their chemical makeup. Delta-8 is less potent and the effects of Delta-8 are milder.
How do drug tests work?
There are several types of drug tests used by workplaces to detect illicit substances in employees. There are hair follicle tests, blood tests, and the more frequently used urine tests. Blood and hair tests are more typically used by law enforcement. For urine tests, there are two distinct types. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is more accurate but requires more time. The Immunoassay (IA) Test is faster but can sometimes give inaccurate results.
Workplace drug tests are designed to detect the metabolites of illegal drugs. When you take certain substances, your body metabolizes them in your liver. As that happens, the leftover metabolites stay in your blood, urine, saliva, sweat, hair, and lungs.
If you are a cannabis user, chances are having to take a drug test for an employer can give you anxiety. Drug tests tend to pick up on delta 9 THC quickly. The tests don’t test for THC levels, but they do look for any trace of delta 9 THC metabolites, usually THC-COOH. This metabolite can stay in your body for weeks after consuming cannabis. This is especially true for those who use cannabis frequently. THC dissolves in fat, so it’s much harder for your body to get rid of than chemicals that dissolve in water.
Will A Drug Test Detect Delta 8?
The short answer? Yes. Since delta-8 can remain in your urine, it will show up on a urine drug test. Urine tests have not been designed to differentiate between delta 9 and delta 8 THC. They both metabolize into THC-COOH; therefore, the test will show a positive result for the presence of both substances. Ironically urine drug tests also detect the metabolites of other cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and CBC.
Despite the legal loophole, it is probably not wise to try to pass a drug test without detoxing after using delta 8. Quest Diagnostics acknowledges that drug tests have not yet caught up to differentiating between delta 8, which may be legal in the user’s state, and delta 9, which is still considered a schedule 1 substance.
In terms of blood tests, delta 8 is much harder to detect. It only remains in your blood for a few hours after you use it. You would have to be tested within 24 hours of your use for a blood test to detect delta 8. However, this is highly unlikely due to the nature of blood test use.
How Long Do You Need To Detox Before Going For A Drug Test?
If a urine drug test is in your near future, you’re probably wondering how long you need to detox. For most drugs, the timeline is 30 days, but if Delta 8 THC is consumed, it may show up on a test for up to 90 days. So, if there’s a chance you’ll be tested within 90 days of consuming Delta 8 THC, it’s likely that the result will come back positive. To play it safe and avoid a positive result for Delta 8, don’t consume the substance for at least 90 days before taking the test.
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Is Delta-8 Legal?
At the moment, Delta 8 THC is in a legal grey area. The substance is not explicitly mentioned in the Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and hemp-derived products with a THC content of less than 0.3%. However, the creators of the Farm Bill made a mistake by only defining THC as Delta 9 THC, making Delta 8 THC legal in the process. Because of this error, Delta 8 THC can be legally purchased at gas stations and stores without any issues. That said, the legal status of Delta 8 THC is likely to change in the near future, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. For now, enjoy your Delta 8 while you can!
The Bottom Line
If you’re interested in trying delta 8 THC, be sure to check the legality of the product in your state. Delta 8 THC is available in some states as an over-the-counter product, but it’s not currently legal everywhere. The potential benefits of delta 8 THC make it worth investigating if this cannabinoid is available in your area.
