How does Delta-8 interact with a drug test?

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8 THC) is starting to pop up all over the place. In certain states you can find it in oils, gummies, lotions, and vape cartridges, among many other products. This can be really exciting for a plethora of reasons, not the least of which being that it can be a lot of fun. However, anything that is new to the mainstream and gains in popularity quickly leads to a lot of questions. Which is a good thing. People should know a thing or two about what they’re using. One very common question with D8 THC is whether or not you can pass a drug test after using it. This is a great question to ask since Delta-8 THC isn't exactly the same as the THC most people are aware of, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9 THC). This tends to cause some confusion. We, here at DharmaD8, want to make sure you know all there is to know about Delta-8. So, let’s talk about this together.

Will Delta-8 THC pass a drug test?

The first thing you need to know about Delta-8 and drug tests is the difference between Delta-9 and Delta-8.

They are pretty similar in a lot of ways (as you can tell just from their names), for example, they are both found in hemp plants. However, they’re still different in some important ways. Their differences mainly lie in how they are built. Look at this diagram of Delta-8 and this one of Delta-9. It may be kind of hard to see at first. There is a double bond that is in a different spot in each of these two compounds. The change in location of the double bond isn’t all that far, but it is enough to make them different compounds.

What does this mean for a drug test?

To put it simply, if a drug test is looking for THC, it will find Delta-8 THC. To get a bit more specific, when any kind of THC (Delta-8, Delta-9, etc.) enters your system it doesn’t stay in the form that it’s originally in. They break down into compounds called metabolites. As mentioned above, Delta-8 THC is very similar in shape to Delta-9 THC. It just has one small difference. This difference is not enough to drastically change the function. It is also not enough for their metabolites to be different enough either. This means that the difference is not enough to make it go unnoticed by a drug test.

So, if you use Delta-8 THC and then take a drug test it can show up. Delta-8 THC is not strictly illegal in most states. But that isn't going to stop this from being an issue if it shows up on a drug test you've taken, as again, most common drug tests are not sophisticated enough to differentiate between D9-THC and D8-THC. So, if you are interested in using Delta-8 THC, you’ll need to bear this in mind. Speak with whomever you are coordinating your drug test for to discuss with them if you feel comfortable doing so.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that D8 will fail every drug test out there. There is a newer drug testing machine that can tell the difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9. Using LC/MS this machine forces through a column, separates the materials based on their molecular weight in the column. It gets separated in time. When it comes out it's analyzed by the mass spectrometer, looks at it a bunch of different ways, and can identify the different peaks and material coming out. This way the people using it can identify what is what. With this you can tell the difference from D8 and D9.

If someone doesn’t pass a drug test for Delta-8 they can ask to have a full blood test done. In this case, Delta-8 and Delta-9 can be found separately through their compound weight allowing someone to get a final pass even if they failed the first time. The type of testing that someone will always fail on is a urine analysis.

How long does Delta-8 stay in your system?

This is a good question to ask (especially when it comes to drug testing), but it’s one that can be a little hard to answer. This is mainly because everyone is different. So, it can vary a little.

In general D8 THC can stay in your system for about a week. It does leave, however, throughout the course of that week. This study found that around 80-90% of Delta-8 will be naturally flushed out of your system in about five or so days. It’s good to note, though, that number isn’t 100%. It’s very likely that there’s still going to be traces of D8 THC found in your system after the five days.

So, if you’re concerned about a drug test that you may have coming up, it may be best to stay away from Delta-8 for around 10 days before the test. One thing that may help flush out your system faster is drinking a lot of water. This isn’t a guarantee that you’ll pass a drug test. However, because urination is the main way that metabolites leave your system (which is also why urinary drug tests are so common), it may be able to help flush things out a bit quicker.

If you’re looking to try some Delta-8 THC, then you’re in the right place! Here at DharmaD8 we have a nice, wide range of D8 THC products for you to choose from! We have hemp flowers, D8 gummies, and a bunch of stuff in between. No matter who you are, you’ll be able to find something for you. You can find our products on our shop page here.

We at DharmaD8 are all about enhancing your experience and giving you the best customer touch there is to offer. If you have any questions or would like to know more about us, please reach out! Our contact is support@dharmad8.com, have an amazing day. Click here to learn more about Delta 8 CBD.