Does THCA Show Up on a Drug Test and How Long Does It Stay in Your System?

contactus9355
Nov 19
3 min read

As hemp-derived products continue to grow in popularity, many people have questions about THCA—especially whether it will show up on a drug test. At first glance, THCA seems harmless: it's a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw cannabis. But when it comes to drug screening, things aren’t quite so simple.

Here’s what you need to know.

What Is THCA?

THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the precursor to THC.On its own, THCA doesn’t cause a high. But when it’s heated, it converts into Delta-9 THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.

This conversion happens through a process called decarboxylation, which occurs when cannabis is:

Smoked
Vaped
Baked or cooked
Exposed to high heat

If you consume THCA flower or products in ways that involve heat, you’re effectively consuming THC.

Does THCA Show Up on a Drug Test?

The answer is Yes — THCA can cause you to fail a drug test.

Standard drug tests do not look specifically for THCA.They test for THC metabolites, mainly THC-COOH, which your body creates after it processes THC.

Why THCA causes a positive result:

When heated, THCA converts to Delta-9 THC, which is detectable.
Some studies suggest small amounts of THCA may metabolize into THC even without heat.
Many urine tests are sensitive enough to catch metabolites from hemp-derived products, even if they're legally compliant.

So if you smoke or vape THCA flower, you are essentially consuming THC—and drug tests will register it.

How Long Does THCA Stay in Your System?

Because THCA converts to THC, its detection window is essentially the same as Delta-9 THC.

Exact times can vary based on metabolism, body fat, frequency of use, and product potency.But here are typical timelines:

1. Urine Tests (most common)

Urine testing detects the metabolite THC-COOH.Approximate detection windows:

One-time use: 1–3 days
Occasional use (1–2x/week): 3–7 days
Regular use: 7–21 days
Heavy daily use: 30+ days (and sometimes up to 60–90 days)

2. Blood Tests

Blood tests only detect THC for a short period.

One-time use: up to 24 hours
Regular use: 3–7 days

THCA itself may appear in blood for a short time, but again, drug tests are targeting THC.

3. Saliva Tests

Detection windows are short:

One-time use: 1–3 days
Frequent use: up to 72 hours
Heavy use: possibly longer

4. Hair Tests

Hair tests have the longest detection window:

Up to 90 days

These tests look for long-term exposure, making any regular consumption risky.

Can You Test Positive Without Heating THCA?

Possibly. While the risk is lower:

Some THCA may convert to THC in the body.
Some drug tests may cross-react with THCA.
THCA products often contain trace amounts of Delta-9 THC, enough to trigger a positive.

Even raw THCA products are therefore not guaranteed safe for drug test compliance.

If You Have a Drug Test Coming Up…

Avoid these THCA products:

THCA flower
THCA diamonds
THCA vapes
THCA pre-rolls
THCA concentrates

Even “legal hemp” can trigger THC metabolite detection.

If you must stay drug-test compliant, THCA is not a safe alternative.

Final Thoughts

While THCA itself is non-psychoactive, it does convert into THC, and THC is what drug tests are designed to detect. If you use THCA—especially by smoking or vaping—it can absolutely cause a positive drug test result.