One of the most common questions from Eighty Six users is, “Will I fail a drug test on Delta-8 THC?” This is a totally valid question, especially with how recently the minor cannabinoid was legalized and classified as a hemp derivative.
Can you fail a drug test if you’re a Delta-8 user?
For both legal and employment matters, this is an especially important question and one we want to answer fully in our guide today. We’ll help you figure out if you’ll fail a drug test while using Delta-8, how long it stays in your system, and much more. First, let’s find out exactly how drug tests work and why testing for cannabis-derived products is so difficult to understand in the first place.
How Do Drug Tests Work?
Before we talk about Delta-8 THC and drug tests, it’s important to recognize how drug tests actually work, especially when it comes to THC. That starts with understanding how a drug test detects that someone has THC in their system. While employers and legal entities may have you think otherwise, drug tests are not the finely-tuned instruments they’re made out to be.
On the contrary, most labs in the nation are not yet advanced enough to be able to differentiate between the various cannabinoids from hemp or cannabis plants. What drug tests look for, instead, is the chemical signals in the body that THC has metabolized.
Unfortunately, the CBD, Delta-8, and Delta-9 THC that drug tests are actually searching for are almost molecularly identical. This can cause problems for those using CBD and Delta-8, causing a false positive when testing for Delta-9 THC because your body is releasing similar chemicals.
How Is Delta-8 Different from Delta-9?
We’ve explained the differences between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC in a prior blog, so make sure you check that out before you read further. If you’re unfamiliar, Delta-9 THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the full name of the THC found most abundantly in traditional cannabis products. Delta-8 is a minor cannabinoid that is less potent in comparison, though it is a cannabinoid that can still get you high.
Can Delta-8 THC Make You Fail a Drug Test?
Now, onto the meat and potatoes of the guide — will you fail a drug test on Delta-8 THC? Well, unfortunately, the answer is likely yes. As we’ve mentioned previously, drug tests aren’t perfect, and the room for error is wide. The chance of Delta-8 showing up on any generic drug test is not zero, simply put.
In fact, if you’re taking an at-home test, Delta-8 THC is even more likely to show up. This is because at-home testing is typically the least advanced of all drug tests. These types of tests are not able to differentiate between cannabinoids, which is why you’ll likely pop off hot from even nonintoxicating cannabinoids like CBD, as well.
Whether you’re consuming Delta-9 THC from your local dispensary or Delta-8 online, the cannabinoids metabolize into the same THC metabolites in your body. That means consuming any amount of any THC can cause you to fail a test.
The legal limit is 0.3% Delta-9 THC in a CBD or hemp-derived product. You can, however, be taking more than the recommended daily serving sizes, which means the 0.3% THC has the ability to build up in your system. There is a real possibility that your Delta-8 use will show up on a drug test, depending on how often you consume it.
Yes, you can fail a drug test on Delta-8 THC, but fortunately, there are still options. Keep reading below to see how to pass a drug test even after you’ve consumed Delta-8.
How Long Does Delta-8 Stay in Your System?
While it’s less potent than Delta-9, Delta-8 is still THC, which means it lingers in your body just like any other substance would. Even for first-time users, THC has the potential to stay in your urine for 4 to 8 days. That’s one reason to learn about Delta-8 THC and drug tests before you get started.
Heavy Delta-8 users should expect to stay positive on a drug test for 30 to 60 days — sometimes even longer! This varies from person to person, namely due to other factors that determine how long THC stays in your system. Since THC clings to fat cells, how active you are and your current lifestyle will play a role in how long this cannabinoid will remain in your body. Other variables include cannabis tolerance, length of use, and more.
Can You Pass a Drug Test After Using Delta-8?
Okay, so you’ve taken Delta-8 THC and a drug test is coming up. There’s no need to panic! Delta-8 is a legal, hemp-derived product, but THC showing up on a test is still hard to explain. Luckily, there are a variety of methods out there to help you pass the test.
How you’re going to pass this test will mostly come down to how long you have to prepare. If you know about the date in advance, your chances of passing are much better.
Wait It Out
The first, and most obvious option, is to simply avoid Delta-8 when your drug test date approaches. Depending on your tolerance level and size, among other things, the THC may stay in your system for upwards of 2 months, so you’ll want to plan around that accordingly if abstinence is going to be your method.
Exercise and Stay Hydrated
Then, there’s the second method of passing a drug test after using Delta-8 THC. Remember when we said THC clings to fat cells? It’s time to work up a sweat! Burning fat, getting healthy, and staying hydrated in the weeks or days leading up to your drug test are some ways to increase your pass rate.
The Morning of the Drug Test
The morning of the drug test, make sure you pee when you wake up to clear out the THC metabolites that have built up as you rest. Drink some diuretics, like coffee or cranberry juice.
A Couple Hours Before the Test
This is the time to take some B12 vitamins before chugging lots and lots of water! Crunch time means getting as hydrated as possible. Now, this may cause the test to be invalid because you’re too hydrated, but this will give you a chance to retake it at a later date. If you’re worried about not passing a drug test because of Delta-8 THC, this is a golden opportunity to have a little longer to take the test.
Getting Drug Tested as a Delta-8 User
It’s not the end of the world to have Delta-8 in your system and be required to take a drug test. There are always options around failing that test, especially when it comes to this special form of THC. We hope this was informative in answering your questions about Delta-8 THC when it comes to drug testing.
Have you tried Delta-8 yourself? Look through our variety of cartridges and gummies to see which feel right to you. You may find more than one is calling to your taste buds, so feel free to try them all until you’ve discovered your perfect Delta-8 product.
