How long does marijuana stay in your system? What weed-users should know

The nationwide push to legalize marijuana got a major boost when the Biden administration announced a plan to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug in April 2024.

While it's still illegal under federal law, marijuana is legal in some capacity in 38 states , plus Washington, D.C. Many use it recreationally, but there is also scientific evidence cannabis can be used for pain control and management.

Whether you're a new or veteran user, here's what you need to know about how the drug affects your body.

How long does weed stay in your system?

After weed enters your system, it can take between one to three hours to feel the complete effects and another one to three hours for those effects to wear off, according to Healthline. The effects of edibles last much longer than smoking, according to the American Addiction Centers.

Weed can be detected in your body for far longer after its effects wear off.

How long do tests detect weed?

Cannabis can be detected in first-time smokers for about three days after smoking , but it may show up five to seven days after smoking in more consistent smokers (three to four times per week), according to Medical News Today. Daily smokers can expect tests to detect weed for at least 30 days.

There are several kinds of tests. Here's how long after smoking they can detect cannabis in your body, according to Medical News Today:

• Urine tests: One to 30 days after use
• Saliva tests: Usually within 24 hours but could detect up to 44 hours after use
• Hair tests: Up to 90 days but may give false positives if you were recently in contact with another user
• Sweat tests: Seven to 14 days
• Blood tests: Only a few hours

What is THC?: Answering the questions you were too embarrassed to ask

What influences how long tests detect weed?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical in weed that gives users that high feeling. Every person metabolizes weed differently, which impacts how long it'll show up on a test.

Influential factors include the THC dose, the person’s body fat, sex, how hydrated they are, recent exercise and their metabolism rate, according to Medical News Today. The strength and quantity of the THC consumed can be the difference between a positive and negative test, as drug tests are searching for THC, not cannabis .

Those with higher body fat will metabolize weed slower than those with less fat, according to Medical News Today. Hydrating more than normal won’t necessarily affect the results of a drug test, but dehydration may increase THC concentration. Regular exercise won’t change a drug test’s results, but exercising right before a drug test may increase the chance of a positive test.

Those with faster metabolism rates will remove THC from the body quicker than those with slower metabolisms.

How to get weed out of your system

There aren't many options to get the weed out of your system faster. Time is your best bet, according to Healthline. Exercising regularly (although not right before a test), healthy eating and hydration can all help, but they won’t substantially change your THC levels.

Dog got into your weed?: What to do, when to be concerned

Just curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From " How long does alcohol stay in your system? " to " What is Delta-8? " to " Where is weed legal? " – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.

Contributing: Clare Mulroy

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long does marijuana stay in your system? What weed-users should know