Delta-8 THC is a milder form of THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis. It interacts with the same brain receptors as delta-9 THC and can produce a “high”, but it is less powerful. Unfortunately, delta-8 THC can interfere with delta-9 tests in both presumptive and definitive urine drug tests, according to Quest Diagnostics medical scientific liaison, Jack Kain, PharmD. THC delta 8 may appear in a drug test because it has many similar characteristics to THC delta 9.
If you fail a standard urine drug test, you can ask your employer to retest you using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. This test will yield more accurate results because it specifically looks for metabolites unique to delta 9 (THC). Delta-8 has grown exponentially in popularity over the past two years because it is considered a federally legal alternative to delta-9, capable of causing a milder euphoric high. With the massive influx of users focusing their attention on the delta-8, the question on everyone's lips is “does delta-8 appear in a drug test? and “How long does delta-8 stay in your system?” Consuming delta-8 products that exceed the 0.3% delta-9 THC limit will result in a drug test failure.
Chances are you won't pass a drug test after using delta-8 THC. To be safe, leave the delta-8 for up to 90 days if you are about to be tested. Drug tests look for the by-products of THC (or metabolites of THC), rather than the cannabinoids themselves. Because the metabolites of THC are stored in our fat cells, they can be detected in the body for a longer period of time, especially in the urine.
Excessive use of delta-8 THC can also cause drug addiction, with compulsive use being the most distinctive sign. Compared to delta-9, delta-8 is mildly intoxicating and has fewer adverse effects, so many believe it's also less addictive. However, there is no evidence that this cannabinoid is less addictive than delta-9 THC. You will most likely test positive if you consume delta-8 THC frequently. Hemp Flower is an example of a trusted supplier of high-quality hemp-derived delta-8 THC products. Remember that the reason cannabis users feel high after consuming it is because one of the main components of the cannabis plant is delta-9 THC.
Delta 8 will remain viable in hair for up to 3 months, but only in users who regularly take Delta 8 THC. Like cannabinol (CBN), delta-8 is a by-product of THC, which is produced when the hemp plant is exposed to oxygen during storage. There are many reasons to drug test a person, but one of the most common is to see if a person uses substances that could affect or inhibit their ability to do a job. Fortunately, you can ask your employer to repeat the test using the gas chromatography method, since it is only looking for the exact type of delta 9 metabolites. Either way, if you're a Delta 8 user and you're taking a drug test soon, it's not the end of the world. The possibility of failing a drug test for an important job, a health appointment, or a legal requirement is all too real for many people. So, while delta-8 may not be as strong or as potent as delta-9 THC, the fact that it can appear in most drug tests is why people need to know how they can remove it from their systems.
