What Delta 8 Lovers Need to Know Before Taking a Drug Test

Your palms are sweaty, knees weak, and arms are heavy. No, you’re not in an Eminem song. But you may be experiencing these symptoms if you use Delta 8 and have a drug test coming up. Delta-8 THC has exploded in popularity recently, and for good reason. It has similar effects as Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or cannabis, but less likely to cause anxiety and paranoia. In other words, you’re less likely to lose yourself using Delta 8.

While Delta 8’s budding advantages are indeed exciting, it’s understandable to have some questions. We all know that Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, will show up on a drug test. But will Delta 8? Whether it’s for a pre-employment screening or for a health appointment, it’s best to be informed before you pee in that cup. Rest assured, we’ll go in depth on how Delta 8 and other popular cannabinoids (Delta 10 and HHC) fare against drug tests.

What is Delta 8?

Delta 8 is a naturally occurring compound found in small quantities in hemp plants. It is less potent and more stable than standard THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). It is psychoactive with relaxing, euphoric effects and can provide benefits like relief from pain, anxiety, and inflammation. Many deem it a great way to mellow out and it’s safe to say that we agree. It is commonly extracted from hemp to make oils, edibles, and even concentrates (dabs) like Mellow Fellow’s new premium blends Diamonds.

Delta 8 and Delta 9 (THC) have very similar chemical structures. Their differences lie in how their atomic bonds are arranged. In Delta 8, there’s a double bond at the 8th carbon chain, while Delta 9 has this bond at the 9th chain. This subtle distinction is why Delta 8 has a milder effect on the body.

Is Delta 8 Legal?

Considering you may be facing a drug test this is a fair and common inquiry. In 2018 a lovely bill was signed into law. The 2018 Farm Bill §297A specifically made all derivatives, isomers, and cannabinoids in hemp legal, provided the final product has less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC. It also includes an amendment to the Controlled Substances Act, explicitly removing all tetrahydrocannabinols found in hemp. 

While we try to stay as up to date as possible on all state and federal laws, the laws, especially at the state level, are constantly changing. You should do your own due diligence and work with a legal professional to ensure you are operating legally in your state or territory at all times.

Types of Drug Tests

There are various testing methods to check for cannabis use. The most common is urinalysis, also known as a urine test. After all, urinalysis is the only testing method approved for federally-mandated testing. Commonly screened drugs in a standard urine drug test include marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines, PCP, opiates, and more. Other testing methods include blood, hair and saliva.

Will Delta 8 Make You Fail a Drug Test?

To put it blunt-ly, yes.

Remember those similar chemical structures we mentioned earlier? They are why you’re high-ly likely to fail a drug test if you've recently used Delta 8. Because they are built so alike, your body processes Delta 8 almost the same way as it does Delta 9, resulting in similar metabolites.

This means that even if you abstain from standard THC and use Delta 8 instead, it may still flag drug tests. Most of them aren’t advanced enough to look for specific cannabinoids. Instead, they look for THC metabolites. Unfortunately, It’s not yet possible for most drug tests to differentiate federally legal Delta 8 from Delta 9 (standard THC).

What If I Use Dela 10 or HHC? Will I Still Fail?

Yes. You will fail that drug test.

Delta 10 is another cannabinoid that’s a close relative of Delta 9 THC. They’re very close in chemical makeup. When your body processes Delta 10 it produces similar metabolites that will flag a drug test. HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is a hydrogenated form of THC. Anecdotally, there are HHC consumers who report passing drug tests while others report failing. Read more about HHC and drug tests here. We can’t stop you from taking advice from Reddit. However we urge you not to even take the risk. HHC also has a similar structure as Delta 9 THC and your body processes it almost the same. Once again producing similar metabolites.

How Long Will Delta 8 Stay In Your System?

While the effects of Delta 8 range from 3-5 hours, its metabolites can linger in your system for much longer. This begs the question: How long will Delta 8 stay in your system? The truth is, it could be days or it could be months. The answer to this question varies depending on factors like frequency of use, age, body fat percentage, metabolism and type of drug test.  

As CBDoracle puts it “you should expect Delta-8 to stay in your system for the following lengths of time”  

*Please note that these are general approximations. We advise you also apply these estimations to Delta 10 and HHC use as detection ranges overlap and are contingent on other variables (frequency of use, metabolism, etc.)*

Final Thoughts

Delta 8 is an amazing cannabinoid. It is said to give a milder euphoric effect leading many to believe it won’t make you fail a drug test. Unfortunately it’s similarities to Delta 9 THC that we all know and love are the very reason you will fail a drug test using Delta 8. Their metabolites are just too similar to good old fashioned THC’s. And let’s not forget about Delta 10 and HHC. Unfortunately you will fail a drug test using these cannabinoids as well. 

That being said, if you have a drug test coming up we advise you to take heed and make informed decisions about your Delta 8 use. If there isn’t a drug test in your foreseeable future then be sure to check out premium Delta 8 selections so you can reap all the benefits our premium, all natural Delta 8 can provide. Stay safe and stay mellow.

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