Legality

Medically Reviewed By:

Nidra Sidhu, M.D. Integrative Medicine

Does Delta 8 Show Up On A Drug Test? Will You Pass?

No one enjoys worrying about the potential of failing a drug test, especially not for the sole reason that you enjoy incorporating delta 8 THC into your wellness practice. You may be asking yourself: does delta 8 show up on a drug test? Will THC test positive? We want you to be as informed as possible, so in this article, we’re going to discuss:

You may be wondering what is delta 8 and how it differs from the better-known delta 9. Delta 8 THC is a hot new compound on the market that is derived from the hemp plant. Hemp contains over 100 different types of phytocannabinoids, each with its own unique properties and benefits. 

Delta 8 THC is a type of tetrahydrocannabinol, just like delta 9 that you hear about most. While it shares a similar molecular makeup as delta 9, delta 8 THC offers a milder, smoother, more prolonged high that doesn’t leave you couch-locked and stuck in your head. 

Is delta 8 THC legal? Yes, mostly. Some states have banned it just like they have delta 9. You can read more about the legality of delta 8 in this article. 

Let’s learn about the different drug tests you might have to take. Does delta 8 show up on a drug test? Well, that’s dependent on a few factors that we’ll explain below. 

Different Types Of Drug Tests

There are a few different ways that drug tests are carried out, and a lot is dependent on the situation. For most delta 8 pre-employment drug tests, you’ll just do a urinalysis. If you’re involved in something more serious, like a car accident where you’re suspected of being under the influence, you may get a blood test to see if THC will test positive. There are likely misconceptions floating around about what is tested on a THC drug test — something in the entire plant, tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinoids in general — it’s really only one thing that most tests are looking for. Let’s talk about it. 

Urine test.

Urine tests are likely what most people think about and are familiar with when thinking of a drug test, especially for the workplace. Urine tests check the amount of THC-COOH present, and usually, a concentration of 50 nanograms per milliliter is required to trigger a positive result. If you consume delta 8 THC such as our 500 mg gummies, you’re technically consuming tetrahydrocannabinol. The test isn’t looking for THC itself but for the inactive metabolite of THC-COOH that usually stays in the system longer than the tetrahydrocannabinol itself. 

With a urine test, and all of these, the more you consume (the amount and the frequency), the longer it is likely to stay in your body. Usually, THC metabolites can be detected in urine for around 3 to 15 days after you consume it. It’s also a pretty accurate test in most cases. Does delta 8 THC fail a drug test? Will delta 8 THC test positive? With a urine test, it’s dependent on the criteria above. 

Blood test.

Blood tests aren’t as common as other types of tests. They most often occur when something not-so-great happens, like driving under the influence or a major accident where a blood test can prove whether someone was impaired or not. Depending on your state, some have zero tolerance for any THC metabolites in your system, while others are a little more flexible. 

It’s believed that the inactive metabolite can be detected in the blood for 1 to 2 days, although it has been detected around 25 days for those chronic, heavy users. 

Saliva and hair tests.

Saliva and hair tests aren’t as common as other types of drug testing. Saliva delta 8 THC pre-employment drug tests detect recent usage with the swab of the mouth and usually detect tetrahydrocannabinol consumption within the last 10 hours. Unlike the other tests, Saliva tests are looking for the actual THC compound instead of the inactive metabolite. 

Hair follicle tests are even less common than saliva tests because they don’t give an accurate picture of recent drug usage. Hair test results can take a long time to get back and show trace amounts of use within the past 90 days, yet they can’t prove recent usage.

What Does A Failed Drug Test Look Like?

Most drug testing is looking for the inactive metabolite, THC-COOH. Consuming tetrahydrocannabinol isn’t a guarantee that you’ll test positive for the compound, as each has its own cut-off values. Some urine tests involve dipping small strips into the liquid and determining whether THC-COOH is present. 

If you have an upcoming drug test it's important to know that there’s the possibility of a false positive with most tests, which are often followed up by a “confirmatory” test to verify the initial results. 

Edibles are likely to show up in the body just like any other form of tetrahydrocannabinol if consumed in high quantities or regularly. 

What types of drug tests might be carried out by employers?

Urinalysis is the most common type of drug test carried out for delta 8 THC pre-employment drug test, while saliva tests are growing in popularity. When you’re seeking a specific type of job, it’s always worthwhile to figure out what kind of drug testing requirements are needed to ensure you’re compliant and aren’t eliminated from the running for the job due to a positive drug test. 

Can you get a false positive on a pre-employment drug test? Yes, you likely can but it likely shouldn't be triggered on most drug tests. It’s unknown how delta 8 THC is interpreted on a drug test due to a lack of research on this phytocannabinoid. While its molecular structure is similar to delta 9, it’s not delta 9, yet they’re both a type of tetrahydrocannabinol. 

Does Delta 8 Show Up On A Drug Test?

The short answer is yes, it could cause you to fail a drug test and cause people to think you are taking illegal drugs. You could fail a drug test if you’re consuming delta 8 THC, or other legal products that get you high because of their similar chemical structure to delta 9 THC, but it would be a false positive because delta 8 isn’t federally illegal. Drug tests are testing for the THC molecules of tetrahydrocannabinol called THC-COOH.

What to do if you fail a drug test?

You can always try and contest a failed delta 8 drug test. It’s common to get false positives, and it’s also possible that you legit failed the test if you’ve been consuming tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s up to you to determine your next steps. If the drug test is a pre-employment screening, it’s possible that you won’t get the job. If you fail a drug test while employed, you’ll likely need to communicate with human resources and figure out the policies regarding a failed drug test. 

In some states, if you have a medical marijuana card, you have more protection if you fail a delta 8 pre-employment drug test. Some employers can’t fire you solely based on a positive test. They would need evidence that there are other reasons why corrective action is being taken.

Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 On A Drug Test

As of this writing, it’s unknown what the differences are between delta 8 and delta 9 on a drug test. Most tests are focused on detecting delta 9 because it is federally illegal above 0.3%. If you do fail a delta 8 pre-employment drug test, you can always contest it, especially if you aren’t consuming delta 9 at all. It is legal to consume delta 8 on a federal level. 

How long does THC stay in your system?

If you’re feeling worried about passing a drug test for whatever reason, it’s a good time to be informed about how long delta 8 stays in your system. In the next section, we’ll talk about how to avoid testing positive for delta 8 when you’re consuming legal products that get you high. 

How long delta 8 THC stays in your system is dependent on: 

Delta 8 THC could stay in your system anywhere from a few days up to about 30 days. 

How To Avoid Testing Positive For Delta 8 THC

Is delta 8 safe? Yes, it is. The only surefire way to avoid testing positive for delta 8 is to abstain from consuming it. This is probably the least fun option, especially if you consume delta 8 regularly to help maintain your health and wellness.

Everyone has a unique body fat percentage, levels of consumption, metabolism, and general body chemistry, but generally, THC metabolites will leave the body within 3 to 4 weeks without consumption. 

The second option for helping avoid testing positive for THC is living a healthier life. While this has its own benefits outside of complying with workplace policies, it may also help clear the body of metabolites faster — although this isn’t a guarantee. 

Living a healthier life and flushing out chemicals might include: 

Living a healthier life means that the fat cells in your body begin to shrink, and as tetrahydrocannabinol binds with fat cells, they naturally start to melt away too. Will delta 8 THC test positive? Yes, they can.

Issues with at-home drug tests and delta 8.

We’ve already answered: 

At-home drug tests are the least reliable and least advanced type of drug test. They may have trouble differentiating between different cannabinoids, so you may want to avoid this route if your job depends on it.

What does a failed test look like? It means that your at-home kit has detected compounds. The issues with at-home drug tests mean they could pick up on any phytocannabinoid in the body, even ones that are completely legal.

So when you ask yourself, does delta 8 THC fail a drug test with an at-home test, the answer is maybe. This leads us to the next section. 

Drug Test Detection Windows

The detection window for THC and its metabolites can vary depending on the type of drug test being used, as well as the frequency and amount of delta 8 THC consumption.

Here is a summary of the typical detection windows for each type of drug test:

Urine test: THC metabolites can typically be detected in urine for 3 to 15 days after consumption, depending on the frequency and amount of delta 8 THC consumed.

Blood test: THC metabolites can typically be detected in the blood for 1 to 2 days after consumption, although it has been detected for up to 25 days in chronic, heavy users.

Saliva test: THC can typically be detected in saliva for up to 10 hours after consumption.

Hair test: THC can be detected in hair for up to 90 days after consumption, although the detection window can vary depending on the length and thickness of the hair.

It's important to note that these are just general guidelines and that individual variations can occur. Factors such as a person's metabolism, body mass, and other personal characteristics can all affect the detection window for delta 8 THC.

Can You Test Positive from Edibles?

It is possible to test positive for THC after consuming delta 8 THC edibles.

The active ingredient in delta 8 THC edibles is delta 8 THC, which is metabolized in the same way as delta 8 THC consumed through other methods.

The detection window for THC in edibles may be slightly longer than other forms of delta 8 THC due to the time it takes for the THC to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive system.

Do Your Research

It’s important to do your own research about the job you’re seeking and the job you have. If you aren’t willing to risk the job, abstaining from delta 8 THC might be the safest option during that critical period. It’s up to you to decide what’s best for your situation. Delta North Delta 8 Gummies are federally legal products that get you high and not just any high.

You’ll feel the smooth climb towards contentment while still being able to go about your day. To learn more about delta 8 THC, check out our What Is Delta 8 page.

Legal Disclaimer: You should still consult an attorney for the best legal advice regarding Delta 8 and how drug tests work in your state, as the material shared here is for informational purposes only.

Clayton McCall

Clayton is a Senior Content Specialist, researcher, and holistic healthcare practitioner. Having been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the delta 8 space. His publications include alternative therapy, stress and coping, and alternative health.