Does delta 8 show up on drug tests?
Yes, delta-8 THC does show up on drug tests. Standard drug tests cannot distinguish between delta-8 and delta-9 THC, leading to positive results for cannabis use.
Key points about delta-8 and drug testing:
- Detection: Delta-8 is detectable in urine, blood, and saliva tests commonly used for THC screening.
- Cross-reactivity: Immunoassay tests used for initial screening cross-react with delta-8 metabolites, causing positive results for cannabinoids.
- Confirmation tests: While initial screenings may detect delta-8, some confirmation tests (GC/MS or LC/MS/MS) may not specifically look for delta-8 metabolites, potentially leading to false negatives.
- Detection window: Delta-8 is likely detectable for similar periods as delta-9 THC:
- Single use: Up to 3 days
- Moderate use: 5-7 days
- Chronic use: 10-15 days
- Heavy chronic use: 30+ days
- Increasing prevalence: By 2022, about 20% of marijuana-positive samples contained delta-8 THC, up from 4% in 2018.
- Legal implications: Many treatment courts and drug testing programs consider delta-8 use a violation, similar to delta-9 THC.
To avoid potential positive drug test results, it’s advisable to abstain from delta-8 products, especially if you’re subject to drug testing