THC-P and Drug-Testing: What You Need to Know!

September 29, 2023 | Elyxr's Blog

Tetrahydrocannabiphorol, better known as THC-P, is the most potent psychoactive cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, and it goes without saying that this is a huge part of its appeal.  People can’t get enough of its euphoric and uplifting high, combined with the fact that it’s federally legal.  But, if you take THC-P, are you safe from failing a drug test?  You may be surprised by the answer.

Can You Fail a Drug Test After Taking THC-P?

The bottom line is that yes, you can fail a drug test after taking THC-P.  There’s a mistaken belief that drug tests are looking for traces of marijuana, but actually, they’re looking for an enzyme called, “THC-COOH”.  This enzyme breaks down not only delta 9 THC, but all THC compounds, including tetrahydrocannabiphorol.  So, if THC-P has recently been in your system, THC-COOH can show up in a drug test.

What Types of Drug Tests Could Potentially Pick Up THC-P?

While most of us who have been drug-tested have been administered a urine test, there are actually several types of drug tests out there which all serve a unique purpose.  It’s good to know how each one can be influenced by the use of THC-P and other THC compounds.

  • Urine Tests: 90% of the drug tests administered in the United States are urine tests, which can show whether or not a person has used THC from 2 days to 6 weeks after it was last taken.  These tests are reliable, and they’re also affordable and easy to administer, which is why they’re so popular.
  • Saliva Tests: Saliva tests can show whether or not you’ve used THC in the last 10 hours, and they’re most commonly used by law enforcement, especially at traffic stops to determine whether or not a person is driving while intoxicated.
  • Hair Tests: Hair strand tests are expensive and can be somewhat unreliable, and they’re most often used in autopsies, to see if a person was intoxicated at the time of their death.  It can take 90 days or longer to show whether or not a person has consumed THC.
  • Blood Tests: A blood test only shows if a person is presently intoxicated.  It’s usually performed in a hospital setting or similar type of environment, an thus, can bring results back quickly.
  • Perspiration Tests: A perspiration test is the least common, and it’s usually used for clinical trials.  It involves attaching a patch to a person’s skin, which collects sweat over 2 weeks.  The sweat can contain trace amounts of THC-COOH.

How Likely is Failing a Drug Test After Taking THC-P?

So, let’s say that you have taken THC-P recently, and you have a drug test coming up.  First off, we want to just point out that there is no proven method for flushing THC-P fully out of your system.  But, as you’ll see, there are some factors that can strongly influence whether or not you actually fail.

#1: When You Last Used THC-P, and How Often You Use It

How often you use THC-P makes a big difference, as well as when you last took it.  The more frequently you’ve taken it, and the more recently, the more likely you are to fail.  Basically, the stronger the concentration of THC-COOH in the body, the higher the risk of ending up with a positive test result.

#2: Your Metabolism

You might be one of those people who has a very fast metabolism, which breaks down THC compounds quickly.  How quickly you metabolize compounds depends on things like your genetics, your current state of health, your hydration levels and your nutrient levels.  You could very well be saved from a positive test result simply because your body breaks THC-P down more quickly than others.

#3: Milligram Strength and Dosage

Of course, the number of milligrams of THC-P you’ve consumed is going to make a difference.  The more milligrams of THC-P you’ve taken, the more THC-COOH is going to be present in the body, and the longer it will take before THC-COOH is no longer detectable.  So, if you’ve only taken a tiny amount of the cannabinoid the last time you did consume it, you may be in the clear.

Bottom Line: Taking THC-P Can Lead to a Failed Drug Test

At the end of the day, whenever you take any THC compound, whether it be from hemp or marijuana, you put yourself at a decent risk of failing a drug test.  This means that if you are going to be drug-tested soon, we recommend that you stay away from THC-P altogether, because the risks just aren’t worth it.  If you have taken THC-P recently, you may be in the clear depending on how much you’ve taken, how frequently you were taking it and other factors that can make a big difference.