The active ingredient of marijuana is THC, which stands for Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinol. THC enters the bloodstream through the lungs if marijuana is smoked and then a small proportion (about 1%) then enters the brain. There are specific receptors in the brain for the THC, and the psychoactive effects are achieved within 10 to 30 minutes after smoking.

Along with ending up in the brain, THC circulates around the body. The brain’s THC levels fall within a few hours below that needed to be psychoactive. Fat cells take up THC, which is lipid soluble, and it sits there for a while, and then gets slowly released. Most of the THC gets excreted in urine, sweat, and feces.

When the THC gets slowly released from the fat cells, some active THC re-enters the bloodstream. Unlike any persistent myths, it is not enough to produce any psychoactive effects. That myth is debunked.

Even in people who smoke marijuana frequently, the bloodstream levels fall below the psychoactive levels within a few hours each time. Interestingly, THC from the current use does mix with THC from previous uses being released from fat cells each time. However, the amount being released from previous use is not enough to make a significant contribution.

There are no THC receptors in fat cells, so it has no effects there. It just is stored and slowly released. Eventually, THC is transformed into inactive metabolites. This may take days to weeks before excretion is completed. As a consequence, when people take a urine drug test it may show these inactive metabolites indicating usage at some point in the past, maybe weeks, but not current psychoactive intoxication. What’s being tested with a urine test is one of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid metabolites called THC-COOH. This metabolite is produced by the liver, and is indicative of substantial metabolic degradation having already taken place. There is no correlation between a positive test and a current state of marijuana intoxication.

Testing the blood is the best indicator of current active marijuana usage. This looks for active metabolities and gives a better indication of current psychoactivity.

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