Does Delta-8 Show Up On A Drug Test?

One of the most discussed cannabinoids in the cannabis community is delta-8 THC. You have probably heard of delta-8 if you are a regular user who takes CBD, THC, or both. In comparison to delta-9 THC, it is less intense, more consistent, and less disruptive. Additionally, it is lawful at the federal level to purchase and use. Having considered this, many have made the move to delta-8 THC from delta-9 THC.

One question, however, has followed this cannabinoid's rising profile: "Does delta-8 show up on a drug test?" Can taking delta-8 THC cause you to test positive for drugs?

For once, this article has a clear-cut response. Continue reading to find out.

How Drug Tests Work

The effects of any drug are first felt as the body metabolizes the drug. In spite of being broken down in the liver, trace amounts of metabolites can be found in other bodily fluids and tissues, including urine, blood, sweat, saliva, lungs, and hair. When the effects of delta-8 THC wear off, its 'track’ still remains in these organs and can be picked up by a drug test.

The metabolites of illegal drugs are what are often tested for in a workplace drug test. If you are a cannabis user and an employee at a corporation, the thought of taking a drug test can give you nightmares.

The presence of delta-9 THC is easily detectable in drug testing. They do not test for THC levels, though. Instead, they hunt for byproducts of the liver's metabolism of THC, called metabolites. Commonly, this metabolite is THC-COOH, which can linger for days (or weeks, in the case of heavy users) after the date it has been consumed.

Due to its fat solubility, THC is more difficult for the body to excrete than substances that dissolve in water. In conclusion, the purpose of a drug test is to establish that you have used drugs, but the quantity ingested is of no concern.

Does Delta-8 Show Up on a Drug Test?

Does delta-8 show up on a drug test? The answer is, “Yes”.

The construction of delta-9 and delta-8 are extremely similar. Delta-8 THC is essentially a variant of delta-9 with. Their intoxicating effects are comparable, and they can both be detected by the same kinds of drug tests because of how they are metabolized in the body.

Current urine tests cannot differentiate between delta-9 and delta-8 THC. Both compounds will show up on the test since they both convert to the same metabolite (THC-COOH).

To cut the story short, delta-8 THC can be detected on a drug test if it has been recently used.

Fun fact: Athletes should only use CBD isolate powder to avoid being disqualified from a competition because metabolites of other cannabinoids, including CBG, CBN, and CBC, can also be detected by drug tests.

THC-COOH levels in the blood cannot exceed 50 ng/ml but the threshold for detection of delta-8 THC and its metabolites is 30 ng/ml.

Hence, the IA test is notoriously difficult to pass. Fortunately, the gas chromatography method only checks for the specific type of delta-9 metabolites, so you can request a retest if necessary.