Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Long Does Marijuana Stay In The Body?
Question: Hello, I stopped smoking marijuana and concentrates back on April 8th. Before that I was a chronic user maybe like 2-3 times a days. After I stopped smoking I shaved my head down to a zero 20 days later. My hair has already grown back about an inch or so since that time. I applied to a job and they do hair follicle testing which I did not no. That won't be for about another month or so. I am already clean in my urine as I tested myself. I guess my question is that when thc is out of your blood does it stop binding to the follicle? Should my new growth I have be clean? Another Dr did tell me that thc does not bind well to the follicles in the first place. Also been told that the hair test only goes back 90 days I guess. I am 5'9 145 lbs and am pretty skinny. Also been told that the hair tests are less sensitive to thc? What would you think?
Brief Answer:
very less likely to test positive
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Testing for thc or marijuana (weed) metabolites in hair follicle is not a very sensitive tests and depends on several factors-
1. it is dependent on the race and color of hair of an individual- more detectable in dark color dark hair person
2. level of humidity also effect it- high humidity makes it wash away fast from hair follicle
3. the metabolites binds less to hair follicle itself and so, even in high and chronic users the tests usually are not able to detect the presence.
4. its metabolites binds loosely to hair roots compared to other substances of abuse like cocaine etc.
So, as you have stopped its use for your good health well in advance, I dont hope this will come out in your tests.
Wish you good luck!
please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
very less likely to test positive
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Testing for thc or marijuana (weed) metabolites in hair follicle is not a very sensitive tests and depends on several factors-
1. it is dependent on the race and color of hair of an individual- more detectable in dark color dark hair person
2. level of humidity also effect it- high humidity makes it wash away fast from hair follicle
3. the metabolites binds less to hair follicle itself and so, even in high and chronic users the tests usually are not able to detect the presence.
4. its metabolites binds loosely to hair roots compared to other substances of abuse like cocaine etc.
So, as you have stopped its use for your good health well in advance, I dont hope this will come out in your tests.
Wish you good luck!
please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
So like after I stopped and 20 days later I shaved my head down to a zero, then the new growth should be clean hair? Once it is out of your blood then it stops circulating to the hair. How long does it actually to be free of the blood. I have already been testing negative in my urine for a while.I meant to ask that once it is out of the blood does it stop circulating to the hair?
Brief Answer:
drug is almost completely out in 2months
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First- that the drug attaches to the hair follicles and not the shaft (to that extent). So, when we cut hair-- only shaft is cut. The hair follicles come out when one plucks the hair.
Secondly-- you will not test positive most likely as -- two months is a significantly long time for drug metabolites to wash out of system.
Thirdly- The hair shaft test is considered to be a very poor test in detecting marijuana metabolies ( out of all drugs of abuse). So, most probably the tests is being conducted to rule out abusers of other substances.
In two- four weeks the drug is mostly washed out.
Hope the reply helps you.
Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
drug is almost completely out in 2months
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First- that the drug attaches to the hair follicles and not the shaft (to that extent). So, when we cut hair-- only shaft is cut. The hair follicles come out when one plucks the hair.
Secondly-- you will not test positive most likely as -- two months is a significantly long time for drug metabolites to wash out of system.
Thirdly- The hair shaft test is considered to be a very poor test in detecting marijuana metabolies ( out of all drugs of abuse). So, most probably the tests is being conducted to rule out abusers of other substances.
In two- four weeks the drug is mostly washed out.
Hope the reply helps you.
Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
