Does Delta-8 Show Up on Drug Tests?

• Delta-8 is a THC variant that produces a less intense high than the more common delta-9 THC while providing comparable health benefits.
• Through a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill, many manufacturers claimed hemp-derived delta-8 products were legal, though many states have now restricted or banned them.
• For this reason, many people want to know if delta-8 shows up on drug tests: Yes, it can. Delta-8 has a similar chemical structure to delta-9, making a false positive result possible.
• Many delta-8 products on the market also contain enough delta-9 to show up on a drug test. Treat delta-8 as you would any other marijuana product when faced with a drug test.

Delta-8 THC is a popular new variant of delta-9 THC, the cannabinoid associated with marijuana’s psychoactive “high.” Cannabis users—especially those prone to high-induced anxiety—enjoy delta-8 for its potent therapeutic properties and mild high, earning it the nickname “diet weed.”

Since delta-8 THC produces far subtler psychoactive effects compared to delta-9, you may be wondering, “Will delta-8 show up on a drug test?” The answer is potentially, yes.

TeleLeaf has all the delta-8 details you need to know before your drug test. Learn what it is, why its legality is so contested, and how it may impact your drug test results.

What is Delta-8 THC?

You likely know what THC is: Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component in cannabis. Did you know its full name is delta-9 THC? And that it’s not the only form of THC available? Manufacturers can now derive several variants of delta-9 THC from the cannabis plant; for example, delta-8.

In 2018, the federal government passed a new Farm Bill which, among other amendments, altered the definitions of “marijuana” and “hemp”:

• Marijuana is any cannabis plant containing more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight.
• Hemp is any cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight.

With this new distinction, the federal government essentially legalized the production, sale, and use of hemp and hemp-derived products.

While hemp contains negligible amounts of delta-9 THC, it provides a quality source of CBD, the soothing yet non-psychoactive component of cannabis. Growers discovered they could also extract or synthesize other therapeutic cannabis components from hemp, including delta-8 THC.

Delta-9 THC vs. Delta-8 THC: Comparing Effects

The chemical structures of delta-8 and delta-9 THC appear almost identical; the only difference is the placement of a double bond on the eighth and ninth carbon atoms, respectively.

If you’re not a chemist, don’t worry. All you need to know is that delta-8 and delta-9 THC behave very similarly except for one important factor: psychoactivity.

THC activates two receptors in your endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for regulating some of your most essential internal functions including pain sensation, appetite, mood, and more.

Let’s look at each receptor individually:

• CB1 receptors relieve pain, stimulate appetite, and create a euphoric sensation associated with marijuana’s psychoactive high; they’re located mainly in the brain.
• CB2 receptors boost immune functions and lower inflammation; they’re located throughout the body in immune tissues.

Delta-9 THC activates both receptors at full power. Delta-8 also activates both receptors; it switches on CB2 receptors with the same intensity as delta-9, but only weakly activates CB1 receptors. This creates the subdued high that delta-8 fans praise.

Delta-8 Legality

Since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, both the federal and state governments have attempted to regulate or restrict the production of delta-8 THC formulas. Currently, though, delta-8’s legal status still exists in a murky gray area.

Many manufacturers argue that delta-8 should be legal because it comes from the now-legal hemp plant. However, since hemp naturally contains only tiny amounts of delta-8, manufacturers must synthesize the compound from hemp-derived CBD. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), any synthetically derived THC and THC variants are considered Schedule I substances, meaning they’re illegal to distribute and use.

Several states have enacted delta-8 regulations, though a majority of states have either banned it or left it unregulated.

Here’s where the numbers currently stand:

• Regulated comprehensively in three states, including California, Connecticut, and Tennessee
• Prohibited in 17 states
• Severely restricted in seven states, including Louisiana
• Legal but unregulated in 22 states and Washington D.C.

Before you take advantage of the legal loophole and stock up on delta-8 THC products, check if your state has restricted or banned delta-8 use. Your workplace could also have delta-8 regulations which may differ from federal and state mandates.

Always equip yourself with the most up-to-date rules—especially before taking a drug test.

Understanding Drug Tests

You may need to take a drug test for a variety of reasons; most commonly, though, drug testing occurs for employment.

Each employer has different drug testing procedures, though many conduct any of the following:

• Pre-employment testing
• Random testing
• Periodic testing
• Post-incident testing
• Reasonable suspicion testing
• Return-to-duty and follow-up testing

Drug tests scan for THC and its metabolites—the compounds your body breaks THC down into.

Here’s how long THC or its metabolites can remain detectable in your body according to each type of drug test:

• Urine test – Three days for single use, but up to 30 days for heavy chronic use
• Blood test – Anywhere from two to 12 hours for single use; up to 30 days for chronic use
• Saliva test – Typically 24 hours; up to three days for chronic users
• Hair test – Up to 90 days

While these estimates were calculated based on delta-9 THC, they may also apply to THC derivatives like delta-8.

What does this mean for medical marijuana cardholders?

While you can’t be denied employment if you have a medical marijuana card in some states, you may still face consequences for a positive drug test depending on the employer’s policy. For example, no federal employees can be excused from a positive drug test, even if they have a medical card.

Certain states and employers have protections for medical cardholders. Learn your employer’s drug testing policies and plan your cannabis use accordingly.

How Delta-8 Impacts Drug Test Results

Delta-8 offers promising therapeutic benefits for patients seeking the soothing symptom relief of delta-9 THC without the intense (and sometimes anxiety-inducing) high. Even though it’s less psychoactive than delta-9 THC, it may still cause you to test positive on a drug test.

Here’s how delta-8 THC could potentially disrupt your drug test and create unwanted issues:

1. Delta-8 THC Could Result in a False Positive Test for Delta-9 THC

Remember how delta-9 and delta-8 have extremely similar chemical structures? Drug tests scan for the presence of delta-9 THC in your body, but because delta-8 so closely resembles delta-9, the test could mistake the former for the latter.

So, even though you didn’t use delta-9, your drug test may come back positive.

2. Your Delta-8 Products May Contain Delta-9, Leading to a Positive Result

Although hemp and some hemp-derived products became federally legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill:

• The government doesn’t regulate these products for accurate ingredients and safety.
• This means that your delta-8 gummies may contain traces of other cannabis compounds—including delta-9 THC.
• If your delta-8 product contains enough delta-9, you may test positive on a drug test.

3. It Could Lead to Other Unintended Complications

It’s difficult to predict how delta-8 THC will impact a drug test. Manufacturers have only recently discovered it, and the lack of manufacturing regulation makes it difficult to trust a delta-8 product’s label.

Additionally, with all the conflicting federal, state, and workplace regulations surrounding delta-8 products, you won’t always know for certain if you can legally use delta-8.

Protect Your Cannabis Access with a Medical Recommendation from TeleLeaf

While only some states allow the use of delta-8 products, 38 currently have medical marijuana programs that enable patients to access other cannabis products. This access has transformed the healing journeys of countless people like you, relieving chronic pain, anxious thoughts, sleep troubles, and so much more.

All you need to begin healing is a medical recommendation from a state-certified healthcare provider. TeleLeaf can help with that.

It’s simple: Meet virtually with an experienced medical marijuana clinician as soon as today by completing our short intake form. Your provider will review your symptoms and give you a recommendation, all from the comfort and privacy of your home.

Become a medical cardholder today with TeleLeaf. Schedule your virtual appointment now or connect with our care team for more information.

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