Does THCA Show Up on a Drug Test?

THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the raw form of delta 9 THC, and a natural component of raw cannabis prior to being heated. When THCA is heated, like through the process of vaping, smoking flower, or making edibles with flower buds, THCA converts into delta 9 THC, taking on entirely new properties, including the ability to get us high. Given the relationship between THCA and delta 9, it’s not surprising that so many people are asking us about whether or not the THCA products we carry at the Calm Leaf could cause a failed drug test result. Let’s find out.

THCA Products vs. Delta 9 Products

Let’s first talk about the difference between different kinds of THCA products. When tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is left in its raw state, it’s nonintoxicating, as its chemical structure simply can’t attach to the brain’s CB1 receptors that produce a high. It’s only after THCA is heated through a process called decarboxylation that the THCA becomes delta 9 THC, which is the same THC that makes cannabis intoxicating.

Basically, some THCA-based products keep the THCA raw, since those products don’t have to be heated. These include gummies, capsules, and tinctures. They contain active servings of tetrahydrocannabinolic caid, and the product never undergoes decarboxylation, so they won’t get you high.

Then, you’ve products that have to be heated to be consumed, i.e., vapes, dabs, and flower. The very process of using these products decarbs the THCA into delta 9, so what ends up in your body is not THCA, but THC.

Do THCA Products Cause a Failed Drug Test Result?

Now, let’s get to the main point of this article: helping you understand the risks of failing a drug test after taking a THCA-infused product. As for THCA vapes, dabs, and flower, which, again, are actually giving you delta 9 THC, the risk of failing a drug test is exactly the same as if you had taken marijuana. The reason why is that THC converts into a metabolite in the body known as THC-COOH, and that’s what drug tests are looking for. Whether that THC was consumed in the form of weed, or through a legal hemp product, doesn’t matter.

In fact, all THC cannabinoids convert into THC-COOH, and put you at risk of failing a drug test. These cannabinoids include delta 8 THC, THC-P, THC-B, THC-X, etc.

So, what about THCA products that aren’t heated, and so you’re not actually consuming delta 9 THC? It’s extremely likely that even raw tetrahydrocannabinolic acid converts into THC-COOH in the body, just like delta 9, so basically, no matter what kind of THCA product you take, assume that you’re putting yourself at risk of testing positive.

Does This Apply to All Drug Tests?

When discussing the topic of drug-testing, we are mostly focusing on urine tests. Urine tests account for 90% of all drug tests performed in the United States, and are the standard method of testing in employment, sports, and probation environments. They’re fast in terms of turn around, as well as reliable, and inexpensive.

But, there are other kinds of tests out there that you may encounter at some point or another, and with these tests, you’re still at risk of failing if you’ve taken a THCA product. They include:

Blood Tests: Usually given in hospitals, and their aim is to figure out if a person’s symptoms could be related to certain substances that they’ve taken. They will only show a positive result while the product’s effects are still active.

Saliva Tests: Can show if a person has taken a substance within the lats 10 hours. They’re usually administered by law enforcement, such as to determine whether or not a person is actively high on something.

Hair Tests: Can detect drugs in a person’s strands of hair for up to 3 months after the drug was last taken. But, they’re somewhat unreliable, and expensive, so they’re not very common.

Can a Failed Drug Test Happen You Have Taken THCA?

Question: What if you used a THCA product recently, and now there’s a test coming up? Are you destined to fail? Let’s find out, based on what we know about urine tests, which again are the most likely type of test you’ll end up taking.

When Did You Last Take THCA?

The last time you actually consumed THCA can make all the difference. Urine tests will pick up THCA taken within the last 2 days to 6 weeks, depending on how much you were taking (see more in the next section). If it’s been over a month and a half, you’re almost definitely in the clear.

How Much THCA Were You Taking?

THCA leaves the body at the same rate regardless of how much you took. This means that the more THCA you consume, the longer the amount of time it will take before your body no longer has any detectable amount of THC-COOH. If you took a small dose once a couple of weeks ago, the chance of testing positive is very low. If you were dabbing THCA multiple times a day, however, you may test positive for a month or longer after your last dose.

Were You Taking Other THC Cannabinoids, Too?

Another thing to consider is other THC products you may have taken. Again, all THC compounds convert into THC-COOH, which is responsible for a positive test result. If you were taking THCA and, say, delta 8 simultaneously (THCA + Delta 8 Products) then there would be more detectable THC-COOH in the body.

How Fast Does Your Body Metabolize THC?

Some people just happen to metabolize THC faster than others, for all kinds of complex physiological reasons, so you may happen to clear THC-COOH from the body in a shorter period of time than the average person.

With THCA, Your Chance of Failing a Drug Test is High

Overall, if you’re going to be drug tested, you should avoid THCA products altogether. The risk of failing a test is high – just as high as if you were smoking weed – so it’s better to avoid the potential problems you could encounter if you were to fail a test.