How Long Does THCA Stay in Your System?

As the use of THCA products continues to rise in both wellness and cannabis circles, more people are asking, how long does THCA stay in your system? Whether you're consuming THCA for its potential health benefits or simply exploring alternative cannabis compounds, the question of THCA detection is critical—especially if you have a drug test coming up. Understanding how THCA is metabolized, how long it can remain detectable, and how it may affect a positive drug test result is essential for both medical or recreational use scenarios.

Let’s break down what the latest cannabis research tells us about THCA, its relationship with drug screening, and the various common drug testing methods used today.

What Is THCA and How Does It Work in the Body?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw cannabis and cannabis plant materials. Unlike psychoactive THC, THCA in its natural state does not produce a high. Instead, it's known for its health benefits, which include anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-emetic effects, according to early cannabis research.

However, when THCA is heated—through smoking THCA flower, vaping, or cooking—it undergoes decarboxylation. During this chemical reaction, THCA converts into psychoactive THC, the compound responsible for the “high” commonly associated with cannabis use.

This conversion makes THCA both valuable and legally complex. While it starts as a non-psychoactive precursor, it can quickly become a psychoactive compound through heat. And that has significant implications when it comes to drug tests.

How THCA Is Metabolized in the Body

When you consume THCA, the method matters. If you're ingesting THCA raw—via raw cannabis juice, tinctures, or capsules—it generally passes through your digestive system without creating psychoactive effects. In this form, it may not generate THC metabolites, and your chances of triggering a positive drug test are reduced.

But if you consume THCA by heating it (vaping, dabbing, or smoking THCA flower), you convert it into THC before it enters the bloodstream. At that point, your liver breaks it down into cannabis metabolites, primarily THC-COOH, the thc metabolite detected by most drug tests.

These drug metabolites can then stay in your system for varying lengths of time depending on a range of factors.

What Affects How Long THCA Stays in Your System?

How long THCA stays in your system depends on more than just how much you consume. A variety of physiological and behavioral factors determine how your body absorbs, converts, stores, and eliminates cannabinoids. Below are the most critical variables influencing THCA detection and your chances of testing positive on a drug screening.

1. Consumption Method

The way you use THCA plays a central role in how it behaves in your body. If you're ingesting THCA raw—such as through raw cannabis juice, tinctures, or capsules—it is unlikely to convert into psychoactive THC, meaning your risk of a positive drug test is significantly lower.

However, when you smoke, vape, or cook THCA, it undergoes decarboxylation—a chemical reaction that transforms it into Delta-9 THC. This converted form is metabolized into THC metabolites like THC-COOH, which are commonly detected by standard urine tests, saliva tests, and blood tests. If you're concerned about drug tests, choosing a non-heated consumption method is critical.

2. Frequency of Use

How often you use THCA—or cannabis in general—affects how long THCA remains detectable. Chronic users tend to accumulate higher levels of cannabis metabolites in their fat cells, which extend the detection window significantly. In contrast, occasional users may eliminate THCA and its byproducts more quickly, resulting in shorter detection times across all common drug testing methods.

For example:

• Occasional user: THC metabolites may clear in 3–7 days

• Chronic user: Metabolites could remain detectable for 15–30+ days

3. Dosage

The amount of THCA you consume also plays a large role. Higher doses result in more THC metabolites once the THCA is converted. This leads to a longer period before your body can fully eliminate THCA and its breakdown products.

If you're using large quantities—especially when smoking THCA flower or dabbing concentrates—expect the detection window to increase significantly, regardless of your individual metabolism.

4. Body Fat Percentage

Because THC and its metabolites are fat-soluble, they tend to accumulate in fat cells throughout the body. This means that individuals with a higher body fat percentage will generally retain cannabis metabolites longer, even if their dosage or frequency is low.

This is especially important in urine drug tests and hair follicle tests, which can detect THC metabolites long after actual use—particularly for those with slower metabolic rates or higher adipose tissue.

5. Individual Metabolism

Your individual metabolism—which includes how efficiently your liver processes cannabinoids—affects how quickly your body can eliminate THCA and drug metabolites. Faster metabolisms can reduce the detection window, while slower metabolisms may extend it.

Factors that influence metabolic rate include:\n- Age

• Sex

• Genetics

• Hormonal health

• Baseline activity level

Someone with a naturally fast metabolism might clear THCA metabolites in less than a week, whereas another person could take significantly longer.

6. Hydration & Physical Activity

While there is no miracle solution to quickly detox THC metabolites, staying well-hydrated and physically active can support your body’s natural detoxification pathways. Water helps flush waste through the kidneys, and regular exercise can reduce fat stores where THC is stored.

However, this doesn’t guarantee a negative result on urine drug screening or other tests—especially if you're a chronic user or consumed a high dose. Instead, think of hydration and movement as tools to support the process, not shortcuts.

Can You Test Positive From THCA?

Yes—especially if the THCA was heated and converted into THC. After conversion, your body processes it just like any THC product, producing THC metabolites that are easily detectable by standard drug tests.

Even if you're consuming THCA in raw form, there’s still a small risk of test positive results due to possible trace amounts of THC or contamination. That’s why legalized cannabis products are often accompanied by lab results to ensure THCA detection risk is minimized.

And, Can Raw THCA Be Detected in a Drug Test?

In most cases, no—standard drug tests do not detect THCA directly. They’re designed to primarily target THC and its byproducts. That said, raw THCA products can still be contaminated with trace amounts of THC, especially in unregulated markets.

If you’re consuming raw cannabis or products like raw cannabis juice, your risk is lower, but not zero. Many drug tests are extremely sensitive, and even small THC metabolite detected levels can trigger a positive drug test.

Which Drug Tests Can Detect THCA in the Body? (with Detection Window)

Drug testing is a common concern for individuals who consume THCA products, especially in states or workplaces where cannabis use remains prohibited. While THCA is a non-psychoactive precursor, the issue arises when it is heated and converts into THC, which the body metabolizes similarly to other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. Below is a breakdown of how common drug testing methods may react to THCA or its byproducts.

Urine Tests:

By far the most widely used, urine drug tests (especially standard urine tests) are capable of detecting THC metabolites for days—or even weeks—in chronic users. While these tests don’t usually detect THCA itself, they are designed to identify THC-COOH, a metabolite produced when psychoactive THC is broken down. Anyone who has consumed heated THCA (e.g., by smoking THCA flower) could easily test positive, as the test cannot differentiate between THC from marijuana and converted THCA.

Saliva Tests:

Often used in roadside testing or employer screenings, saliva tests can detect cannabis compounds in the system within 24–72 hours of use. While THCA may not register directly, the psychoactive THC it becomes once heated could be picked up shortly after consumption.

Blood Tests:

Less commonly used but more precise in detecting active THC levels in the blood. These tests are usually used to confirm recent cannabis use, especially following an incident or accident. As THCA remains in the blood for a very short time and only if recently heated and consumed, its detection window is brief—typically 1 to 3 days for occasional users and up to 7 days for chronic users.

Hair Tests:

Hair follicle tests have the longest detection window, capable of identifying THC metabolites for up to 90 days. These tests are particularly effective at chronicling long-term cannabis exposure. While it’s rare for THCA itself to be found in hair follicles, any converted and consumed THC could be picked up, especially if THCA products were used regularly and heated.

Breath Tests:

Still an emerging method in the testing space, breath tests detect THCA only in theory. Currently, these are primarily used for detecting recent Delta 9 THC exposure. There is little evidence that breath tests are reliable for identifying unheated THCA, but they may catch it after it’s been activated through heat. If detectable, the window is very short—usually within 1 to 3 hours after use.

How Long Does THCA Stay in Your System?

Here’s an estimate of how long THCA stays in your system, based on current understanding:

• Urine Drug Screening: 3–7 days for occasional users; 15–30 days or more for chronic users

• Blood Tests: 1–3 days for occasional use; 5–7+ for frequent users

• Saliva Tests: 24–72 hours

• Hair Tests: Up to 90 days

The range depends heavily on your body fat percentage, individual metabolism, and how you're consuming THCA. Whether you’re ingesting THCA raw or heating it changes the outcome entirely.

How to Avoid Testing Positive from THCA Use?

While THCA itself may be non-intoxicating, certain forms of use can still result in a positive drug test. If you're trying to avoid detection during a drug screening, these steps can help reduce your risk without relying on gimmicks or misinformation.

1. Choose Raw, Unheated Products

Stick to THCA formats like raw cannabis juice, capsules, or tinctures that are not exposed to heat. This avoids triggering the chemical reaction that converts THCA into psychoactive THC, which is what most drug tests are designed to detect through THC metabolites.

2. Verify Product Quality with Lab Reports

Use only products that come with Certificates of Analysis (COAs). These reports confirm THC content, ensure legal compliance, and help you avoid mislabeled products that might lead to a positive drug test. COAs are especially important in unregulated markets where hemp-derived products can vary in purity.

3. Avoid Reliance on Detox Gimmicks

There’s no proven way to quickly detox THC metabolites once they’re stored in the body. Be skeptical of “same-day” cleanses or so-called detox drinks that promise to flush out cannabis metabolites. These rarely work and can create a false sense of security.

4. Support Your Body’s Natural Detox

Though you can’t force a clean test overnight, you can support your system by staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and allowing enough time for THCA metabolites to naturally clear. This is especially important for chronic users or those with a higher body fat percentage, as cannabinoids linger longer in fatty tissues.

5. Time Your Usage Carefully

Ultimately, the most reliable way to avoid detection is to abstain from use well in advance of a drug test coming. If you’re unsure how long THCA or its converted metabolites will remain detectable, err on the side of caution and allow a longer detection window—especially if your individual metabolism is slower or you’ve consumed high doses.

How to Detox or Eliminate THCA from Your System?

If you're facing a drug test and have recently used THCA—especially in a form that may have converted to psychoactive THC—you might be wondering how to get it out of your system. While you can't quickly detox THC metabolites with magic pills, there are evidence-based strategies that can help your body naturally eliminate THCA and its byproducts.

1. Stop All Cannabis Use Immediately

The first step is obvious: discontinue all cannabis use, including THCA in any form. Even raw cannabis can be risky if you're unsure of its THC content or if it’s accidentally heated. This will give your body a chance to begin metabolizing and clearing out any cannabis metabolites.

2. Increase Hydration

Drinking water won’t instantly flush out THC metabolites, but staying hydrated helps support your kidneys and liver—your body’s natural detox organs. Aim for steady, consistent hydration rather than water loading, which can be dangerous and ineffective.

3. Exercise (If You Have Time)

Physical activity helps burn fat, where THC metabolites are stored. If you’re not facing a drug test coming in the next few days, regular cardio workouts can support THCA elimination, especially for chronic users with higher body fat percentage. However, avoid intense exercise right before a test, as it may temporarily spike THC levels in your bloodstream.

4. Get Enough Sleep

Your body does most of its metabolic cleanup while you sleep. Prioritizing quality rest helps regulate hormone levels and allows your liver to process drug metabolites more effectively.

5. Eat Clean, High-Fiber Foods

A fiber-rich diet supports the digestive system in eliminating waste, including cannabis metabolites. Combine fiber with lean proteins, healthy fats, and lots of leafy greens to encourage overall detoxification.

6. Allow Time—It’s the Only Guaranteed Method

There is no shortcut. The most reliable way to eliminate THCA from your body is to allow time for your metabolism to do its job. Depending on your individual metabolism, usage history, and consumption method, this may take 3–7 days for occasional users and 15–30+ days for heavy or daily users

Don’t fall for detox scams. Most products promising to help you pass drug tests fast are unproven and unreliable.

7. Verify With At-Home Tests (Optional)

If you're worried, consider using an at-home urine drug screening kit to check if you still have detectable THC metabolites. It's not as accurate as lab-grade testing, but it can give you a rough idea of where you stand.