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Can you fail a drug test taking Delta-9?

  • November 25, 2024
  • |
  • Tatiana Ziadie

You have probably heard the rumors that D-9 can cause you to get a positive line on a tox screen. You may have also been told you should be in the clear as long as you don’t go overboard. If you are an avid consumer, this is critical information you must know for sure. So, will Delta-9 fail a drug test? 

Without beating around the bush, the answer is yes: D-9 THC can turn your screening result positive. But before you swear off your favorite gummies or exotic flowers, you should understand several facts.

First, the amount of THC in your system is a variable. Second, there are ways to curb the risk of testing positive. 

Don’t resign yourself to a life without legal hemp products just yet. The truth about Delta-9 is a bit more nuanced than some myths suggest.

Can I fail a drug test from Delta-9? The science behind THC control

When you consume any form of Deltas or other THC isomers, your body turns it into metabolites. THC-COOH is what the majority of tests target because it stays in your system the longest and can be red-flagged in urine, blood, and hair. Actually, this is a quick answer to the question, “Will I fail a drug test on Delta-9?”

Even though various Deltas have different molecular structures, your body converts them into the same THC-COOH metabolite. If you’ve used any marijuana product recently, there’s a chance it may lead to a positive result on a standard test.

What determines whether D-9 will show up

Are you craving some cannabis but have that tox control coming up at work? Its results may be influenced by:

  • How often you use D-9 products. Occasional use will clear out faster than in people who can’t imagine their Fridays without THC buds.
  • Product potency. 1,000-mg gummies may haunt you for weeks. A 5-mg or 10-mg piece is less likely to be detected in 3-5 days.
  • Your body weight composition. THC metabolites are fixed to adipocytes, so those with a higher mass of body fat may get positive results for longer.
  • Liquid intake. Drinking much fluid (water, first of all) helps cleanse cannabis traces from your system more quickly.
  • Your metabolic rate. Speeding up your metabolism is a proven way to clear THC faster than those with a slower rate.

The only way to know whether u can fail a drug test with Delta-9 is to buy an at-home kit to check for cannabis metabolites. Plan for at least a week of abstinence from D-9 before the analysis to amplify your chances of testing negative. But if it’s too late, increasing your metabolism and fluid intake days before THC control may help get you off the hook.

Drug test type matters

The test itself plays a critical role. Urine analysis typically has a higher chance of red-flagging D-9. Blood tests are also quite sensitive, while saliva tests are associated with the lowest possibility of spotting the cannabinoid. 

If your THC control is a basic immunoassay, you are in a better position to avoid the positive result. More advanced GC/MS confirmatory tests, however, are tuned to pick up on D-9 metabolites.

Urine analysis (UA)

The most common type of tox screen, UA can catch hemp traces for up to 4 weeks after consumption. If you are no stranger to overindulgence, THC can linger in your urine for months. If you only use D-9 occasionally, you may pass the UA test in as soon as a week, but it is always a game of chance.

Blood control

If a lab specialist is about to collect your blood sample, brace for a shorter detection window of only 1 to 7 days. However, blood tests are amazingly accurate, and the detection time can vary significantly between individuals. Only the luckiest test-takers would pass them within 3 days of D-9 usage.

Mouth swabs

Can Delta-9 make u fail a drug test if it’s a saliva type? That’s where fortune may be smiling upon you. The sensitivity of such tests is relatively low. Some can red-flag D-9 for up to 7 days, while less advanced analysis methods can only do so within the 1-day window.

Hair analysis

Of all test types, this one is the most likely to detect the use of D-9 THC unmistakably. Follicle analysis can prove that you have enjoyed a product containing hemp-derived compounds even in 3 months after actually having it by checking the buildup of metabolites in your hair shafts. Since hair grows about 0.5 inches (1-1.2 cm) per month, a 1.5-inch (3 cm) hair sample can unbar a transparent window into your substance use history. 

Tips on getting checked successfully

Let’s put aside questions like “Can u fail a drug test with Delta-9?” and take practical steps. The most universal advice for you is to chug water and repeat. This works particularly well if you have to pass a UA test. Diluting your urine is one of the best ways to show “clear” in screening. Aim for at least a gallon daily for 3-5 days before your tox control.

Here’s what else you can do:

  1. Give your material from mid-stream. Jokes aside, don’t give the first or last part of your urine stream. Urinate in the toilet first, then fill a sample cup in the middle, and finish in the toilet again. The material at the beginning and end of your stream tends to have the highest concentration of metabolites.
  2. Take some supplements. Creatine, B vitamins, and detox pills may mask THC-COOH in your system. Start taking the recommended dosage 2-3 days before your test and continue until the D-day. Complement detoxification with physical activities to speed up your metabolism.

Besides, avoid stress and stay optimistic despite your lingering anxiety over whether your Delta-9 will fail a drug test. Even if you’ve had the devil’s lettuce, there’s still a possibility you’ll pass, especially if you follow the tips above. Going into your test anxious and negative will only hurt your chances.