As of December 2025, many states in the US allow the use of marijuana, not just for medical reasons but for recreational purposes too. And most Americans are using it more than ever. However, recreational or sometimes even medical use of marijuana is still illegal in some states. Moreover, many employers require their employees to pass drug tests as a condition for employment.
This whole situation might leave one wondering, “How long does marijuana stay in the system after quitting?” or “How to get marijuana out of your system?” If you have these questions too, you are in the right place. This article explores realistic timelines, evidence-based ways to support detox, and what to avoid if you must comply with workplace or legal testing.
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How does your body process THC?
Marijuana naturally contains different cannabinoids, including CBD and THC. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient present in cannabis. It is a fat-soluble compound that is stored in the body’s fat cells.
Now, when you smoke or vape weed, this THC enters your bloodstream via your lungs. From there, it then moves to your brain and other organs.
On the other hand, if you consume cannabis in the form of edibles or THC drinks, it gets absorbed in your system via your liver. Most of the marijuana that you consume leaves your body via excretion, with approximately 65% of THC metabolites eliminated in feces, while 20% is eliminated in urine. A small percentage also gets eliminated via sweat and saliva.
However, some THC metabolites also get stored in your body fat. The more often you use cannabis, the more metabolites can build up.
Now, you might be wondering, what happens to the stored metabolites? These stored metabolites are slowly released in the bloodstream over time. From there, they are then metabolized in the liver and excreted from the body in urine or feces. This is why THC can still show up on a drug test weeks after you have used marijuana.
How long does THC stay in blood?
The fat storage of THC, combined with frequency of use and individual biology, determines how long THC or its metabolites stay in your system.
Moreover, the type of drug test you are undergoing also significantly impacts the detection windows.
A urine test is the drug test people run into the most. THC metabolites (primarily THC-COOH) can be detected in urine for several days to more than 30 days. Occasional users typically clear in 3-10 days. However, THC metabolites can still be detected in the urine of chronic heavy users for more than 30 days.
THC has a relatively short detection window in blood. Therefore, blood tests detect very recent use of marijuana, usually a few hours to one to two days after a single use.
However, it can be detected for a little longer (in some cases, even 30 days later) for heavy, long-term users.
Saliva tests, like blood tests, can detect recent marijuana use. Its detection window typically lasts from a few hours to 1-2 days at max.
THC remains in the hair for the longest time. Stopped using it a long time ago? But still, somehow it got found? It is because THC is detectable in your hair for up to 90 days. When you use marijuana, cannabinoids enter the hair follicles through small blood vessels, as well as sebum and sweat that surround the hair shaft.
Hair grows about 0.5 inches per month on average, so a 1.5-inch hair segment cut close to the scalp can provide a timeline of marijuana use over the previous three months.
How Long for THC Vape to Be Out of the System?
When you smoke or vape weed, the inhaled THC passes directly from the lungs into the bloodstream. It then quickly reaches the brain, leading to a quick onset of psychoactive effects.
Regardless of whether THC was smoked or vaped, the liver breaks it down into the same primary inactive metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH).
This fat-soluble metabolite is stored in fat cells and slowly released over time. This slow redistribution from fat tissue is the primary factor contributing to THC’s long terminal half-life.
For vaping, the detection window for blood or saliva tests is short (a few hours to 1-2 days), whereas urine or hair tests have a longer detection window (30-90 days), depending upon the dosage and frequency of use.
How Long Do THC Gummies Stay in Your System?
When THC is consumed through gummies or edibles, the liver converts Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol into 11-hydroxy-THC.
This metabolite has higher potency than the parent THC. Furthermore, it can cross the blood-brain barrier more easily.
This metabolic process explains why edibles typically have a slower onset of effects than inhalation but result in a more intense, longer-lasting psychoactive experience.
It is worth mentioning that drug tests can identify cannabis use weeks after the effects have subsided because this metabolite is stored in body fat and released gradually over time. In terms of detection windows, edibles may result in similar or slightly longer detection windows than smoking, particularly in heavy users.
How to get marijuana out of your system?
Remember that there is no safe shortcut that will instantly remove THC from fat stores. The only guaranteed method is time. That being said, the following are some of the measures that can facilitate the process:
1. Stop Using Marijuana Altogether
If you’re wondering “how to detox from marijuana” the single most effective way to clear the metabolites is to stop using it entirely. Seems basic, but it works wonders in the true sense.
2. Keep Yourself Well-Hydrated
Staying well-hydrated is essential for your kidneys to function properly and produce urine effectively. So, drinking an adequate amount of water will influence your urine concentration. However, it won’t make the THC stored in your fat tissues magically disappear.
3. Healthy Diet
Prioritize protein, whole grains, fiber, and vegetables to support liver function and bowel regularity. Remember that about 65% of THC is eliminated through feces, so consistency really matters a lot.
4. Regular Exercise
Regular exercise can increase metabolism and help mobilize fat reserves. However, the timing of your test truly matters because exercise may momentarily release stored metabolites into the bloodstream. Therefore, rigorous exercise before an impending drug test is a big “No.”
5. THC Detox Kits
In your quest for how to get weed out of your system faster, you might have also come across THC detox kits. They are marketed heavily to the masses, perplexed about how to pass a urine test for weed.
They usually come as drinks, teas, or powders and oftentimes contain vitamins, herbs, or other substances that increase urination.
Drug detox kits are largely unregulated, so little is known about their efficacy. Manufacturers claim that their product guarantees a negative drug test, but little scientific or medical research supports these claims.
So, proceed with caution and seek medical advice or assistance at a professional detoxification facility rather than looking for a “how to get marijuana out of your system home remedy.” It can alleviate marijuana withdrawal symptoms and reduce the chance of relapse.
Understanding THC’s impact on the body.
We hope that now you know how long it takes to get marijuana out of your system. It can range from days to even weeks and months, depending upon your dosage, frequency of use, individual biology, and the type of drug test you are undergoing.
Remember, there isn’t an instant solution for how to get marijuana out of your system. The only mantra that works best is abstinence from marijuana, coupled with healthy lifestyle measures and patience.
