How Long Does CBD Flower Stay in Your System? [Not Long At All!]
If you’re new to cannabidiol (CBD), it’s normal to have questions. CBD flower is a relatively new craze, and hemp (which CBD is made from) only recently became federally legal with the 2018 Farm Bill, so there’s no shame in admitting you don’t have all the answers.
You may be asking, “What is CBD flower?”, “How long does CBD flower stay in your system?” or “Can CBD flower get me high?” Maybe you need to take a drug test and wonder if CBD will affect that, or maybe you want to know how CBD interacts with your body – whatever it is, we have answers!
What is CBD Flower?
CBD flower is made from the bud of the hemp plant. Hemp, by definition, is the cannabis plant but with less than 0.3% THC. This means that CBD flower contains a very small amount of THC (not enough to produce psychoactive effects) and is legal in all 50 states.
How Long Does CBD Flower Stay in Your System?
CBD stays in your system an average of 2 to 5 days, but the exact time it lingers in your body depends on, well – your body. No two people are exactly the same, so how CBD interacts with your body can be completely different from your friend. There are a number of factors specific to you that affect how long CBD stays in your system:
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Water content in your body
- Metabolism
Food consumption also contributes to how long the CBD sticks around. If you consume CBD on an empty stomach, it will metabolize and leave your system faster than if you consume it after eating something.
Does the Way You Use CBD Flower Matter?
Yes! This is probably the most important factor in determining how long CBD stays in your system. Nowadays, there are many ways to consume CBD and a plethora of CBD products. But it’s how you use these products that really determines the duration CBD stays in your body. Some common forms of CBD consumption include:
Smoking or vaping
Smoking flower in a pre roll joint or vaping hemp flower is a popular way to consume CBD. When inhaling CBD, you feel the effects quickly, but it also leaves your system quickly.
CBD oil and tinctures
CBD oil and tinctures are usually dripped under the tongue and then absorbed into the bloodstream. With this method of consumption, the CBD takes effect relatively quickly and stays around in your body a bit longer.
Edibles and topical creams
CBD edibles need to be digested and metabolized, so the CBD in them tends to linger longer than other forms. Topical creams also stick around in your body longer because they are absorbed through your skin and then enter the bloodstream.
Does it Matter How Much or How Often You Use CBD Flower?
Yes, previous CBD use does factor into how long the CBD stays around. As a general rule of thumb, the more CBD you consume, the longer it stays in your system. This is true for most substances because the higher the quantity, the longer it takes for your body to flush it out.
How often you use CBD also affects the duration it stays. If you use CBD regularly, it will stick around longer. But if you only use it occasionally, it will usually leave your system faster. This is because a higher frequency of use causes CBD to store up in your body, and as a result, when you use CBD, it’ll naturally want to stay in your body longer.
As a side note, if you are trying CBD for the first time, it’s recommended that you try it for a whole week, so you get an accurate reading of how it affects your body.
Do High CBD Flower Strains Stay in Your System Longer?
Yup, high CBD flower strains contain more CBD, so they will stay in your system longer. The half-life of CBD is 18 to 32 hours, but if you use more CBD, it can take longer to leave your body because there’s just that much more of it.
Typical CBD flower strains are around 10 to 15% CBD, but some flower strains can get to higher than 20% CBD (like the Skywalker OG or Northern Lights). With these, you’ll get a higher concentration of CBD per dose and feel more of the beneficial effects of CBD; however, just know that the CBD will probably stick around in your body a little bit longer.
Can CBD Flower Get You High?
Nope, definitely not! I’ll reiterate it again because it’s that important. CBD flower is made from the bud of the hemp plant, which has less than 0.3 percent THC. The trace amount of THC in hemp is not enough to get you high or intoxicated.
Also, such a tiny percentage of THC shouldn’t show up on drug tests either.
Related Article: Does CBD Flower Show Up on a Drug Test? [All You Need to Know]
Final Thoughts – How Long Does CBD Flower Stay in Your System?
CBD is a wonderful cannabinoid with many beneficial qualities, but as with anything that’s new, there are questions. Here’s the bottom line: CBD from hemp flower will generally stay in your system for 2 to 5 days. And this is a general rule; your body and method of consumption are unique so that CBD may stay in your system shorter or longer than that duration.
So, if you have a drug test coming up and want to be extra safe (even though CBD products shouldn’t show up), wait five days to a week after taking CBD, and your body should be clean as a whistle.
