Does THCA show up on a drug test?
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Caley Scott, ND
Cannabinoids are gaining a lot of attention these days, and with that comes curiosity about the different compounds found in cannabis.
THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is one such compound that’s catching people’s interest, especially when it comes to drug testing. You might be wondering if THCA could show up on a drug test and what that could mean for you.
In this article, we’re diving into whether THCA is detectable on drug screenings, how it’s different from THC, and what you should keep in mind if you’re using THCA and have a drug test on the horizon.
What is THCA?
THCA, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a naturally occurring compound found in raw cannabis plants.
Unlike THC, which is well-known for its psychoactive effects, THCA is non-psychoactive in its raw form. It’s actually the precursor to THC, meaning it’s what THC starts as before it goes through a transformation process. When cannabis is fresh and unheated, THCA is abundant in the plant’s leaves and buds.
THCA is considered a cannabinoid, just like THC and CBD. Cannabinoids are the compounds in cannabis that interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system (the ECS), influencing various processes like mood, appetite, and sleep.
While THCA doesn’t bind directly to cannabinoid receptors like THC does, it still offers a range of potential benefits, especially when consumed in its raw form.
THCA vs THC: what's the difference?
THCA and THC might sound similar, but they’re quite different, especially when it comes to their effects and how the body processes them.
Chemically, THCA and THC are almost identical, except for one key difference: THCA has an extra carboxyl group. This means that THCA isn’t psychoactive, so it won’t give you the high that THC is known for.
The real transformation happens when THCA is exposed to heat through a process called decarboxylation.
When heated, THCA loses its carboxyl group and changes into THC, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects. This is why raw cannabis doesn’t produce the same high as its heated or processed counterparts.
What are the benefits of THCA?
THCA is starting to be recognized for its potential wellness benefits, and many people are exploring its use for various health-related reasons.
One of the most appealing aspects of THCA is that it’s non-psychoactive, so you can enjoy the benefits of the cannabis plant without the high. This makes it an attractive option for those who are interested in cannabis for wellness but don’t want to experience any psychoactive effects.
Research into THCA is still in the early stages, but it’s showing promise as a soothing cannabinoid with potential neuroprotective and antioxidant effects.* Some users find that THCA helps them manage discomfort and supports their overall well-being. Because THCA doesn’t bind directly to cannabinoid receptors, its effects are generally more subtle than those of THC — but they can still be significant.
People are increasingly looking at THCA as a way to tap into the benefits of cannabis without the high, making it a great option for those who need to stay clear-headed but still want to explore the potential wellness advantages that cannabis has to offer.
What are drug tests looking for?
Drug tests, particularly those aimed at detecting cannabis use, are specifically looking for THC and its metabolites — not THCA.
The primary target in these tests is a metabolite called THC-COOH, which is produced when your body processes THC. This metabolite is stored in fat cells and is gradually released into your bloodstream over time, which is why it can be detected in urine tests even days or weeks after use.
The reason drug tests focus on THC-COOH is because it’s a reliable indicator that THC has been consumed. Since THCA doesn’t convert into THC until it’s heated (through smoking, vaping, or cooking), it’s generally not something drug tests are designed to detect. That said, the process by which your body breaks down substances is complex, and there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re using THCA.
Understanding different types of drug tests
The most common types of drug tests are urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests. Each of these tests has its own way of detecting substances in your body, but they all primarily focus on identifying THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Urine tests are the most commonly used and are designed to detect THC metabolites in your system, usually within a few days of use, but they can detect longer in those with higher body fat due to how THC is stored in fat cells. Blood tests are more precise but are typically used in situations where recent use needs to be confirmed, as they only detect THC for a short window.
Saliva tests are similar to blood tests in that they can detect very recent use, often within the past 24 hours. Hair tests, on the other hand, can detect drug use over a much longer period — up to 90 days.
However, these tests can be biased, as they tend to show positive results more easily in people with darker or thicker hair, which can raise concerns about fairness and accuracy.
What are the main types of drug tests and their sensitivity?
Understanding the different types of drug tests and their sensitivities is crucial for evaluating the likelihood of detecting THC or its related metabolites, including those derived from THCA. Below are the most commonly utilized testing methods, each with its own strengths, limitations, and relevance to the detection of THC-related compounds.
1. Immunoassay tests (urine drug test or saliva test)
Immunoassay tests are frequently used as initial screening tools due to their speed, cost-effectiveness, and ease of administration. Common in workplace screenings, sports organizations, and rehabilitation programs, these tests use antibodies to bind specific drug metabolites, providing a quick qualitative positive or negative result.
Immunoassays can detect the presence of THC metabolites from several days up to about a month after use. The detection window varies based on factors like usage frequency, metabolism of the cannabis user, and the potency of the cannabis product. Initial screening cutoff levels are typically around 50 ng/mL, with confirmatory tests using lower thresholds to improve accuracy.
Immunoassays do not directly detect THCA — but if THCA converts to THC in the body, the resulting metabolites can trigger a positive result. Therefore, consumption of THCA-rich products can still lead to a positive immunoassay outcome once metabolic conversion occurs.
2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (urine test, blood test, hair test)
GC-MS is a highly accurate confirmatory test used after an initial positive immunoassay. It separates chemical compounds and identifies them based on their mass spectra, providing a reliable confirmation of THC metabolites.
GC-MS can detect THC metabolites at lower thresholds, typically around 15 ng/mL, and maintains a detection window similar to immunoassays. Its high specificity reduces the likelihood of false positives by accurately distinguishing THC from other substances.
GC-MS typically targets THC metabolites rather than THCA directly. However, if THCA converts to THC, the metabolites detected will result in a positive confirmation. Thus, THCA consumption can lead to a positive GC-MS test through its metabolic conversion to THC.
3. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (urine test, blood test, saliva test, hair test)
LC-MS/MS is another high-precision confirmatory testing method that uses liquid chromatography instead of gas chromatography. It is widely used in forensic, clinical, and research settings for its ability to measure multiple cannabinoids and metabolites simultaneously.
LC-MS/MS offers extremely low detection limits, capable of identifying trace amounts of THC metabolites. Its sensitivity often surpasses that of GC-MS, allowing for the detection of minimal exposure or long-past use if metabolites remain in the body.
Similar to GC-MS, LC-MS/MS focuses on detecting THC metabolites rather than THCA directly. If THCA is metabolized into THC, the resulting metabolites will be identified by LC-MS/MS, ensuring that THCA consumption can lead to a positive test result through its conversion to THC-related compounds.
By understanding how immunoassay tests, GC-MS, and LC-MS/MS operate, you can have a clearer picture of the factors involved in detecting cannabis-related compounds. Immunoassay tests provide quick, broad screening, while GC-MS and LC-MS/MS confirm results with far greater specificity.
Although none of these tests typically target THCA directly, the metabolic processes that convert THCA to THC can cause THCA-rich products to trigger positive results.
Can THCA show up on a drug test?
While drug tests don’t specifically target THCA, there’s still a possibility that it could show up indirectly and lead to a positive result. This is because THCA can convert into THC when exposed to heat. If you’re using raw cannabis or products rich in THCA and they’re exposed to heat before or during consumption, some of that THCA might turn into THC.
Once in your system, even small amounts of THC can produce the THC-COOH metabolite that drug tests are designed to detect. This means that if your body processes THCA into THC, there’s a chance it could be picked up by a drug test, especially if you’ve consumed a significant amount or if your body has a higher fat content where THC metabolites are stored.
However, this scenario is less common and would typically require the THCA to be converted into THC in measurable amounts, which usually only happens under certain conditions.
The likelihood of THCA leading to a positive drug test result depends on several factors, including how much you’ve consumed, the method of consumption, and your body’s individual metabolism. While it’s not a guarantee that using THCA will trigger a positive test, it’s something to be aware of, especially if you’re in a situation where passing a drug test is critical.
What factors can influence drug test results?
When it comes to drug testing, a few factors can influence whether THCA might show up, even if indirectly. Understanding these can help you better assess your situation and make more informed choices.
Consumption methods
How you consume THCA can make a significant difference in whether it shows up on a drug test. If you’re consuming raw cannabis products that haven’t been exposed to heat, THCA remains non-psychoactive and doesn’t convert into THC. This means that, in theory, it shouldn’t show up on a drug test.
That said, if you’re consuming THCA in a way that involves heat, the chances of it leading to a positive drug test increase.
Frequency of use
How often you use THCA-rich products can also impact the likelihood of a positive drug test. Even though THCA itself isn’t the target of these tests, regular consumption of raw cannabis products may lead to small amounts of THC entering your system, especially if there’s any accidental decarboxylation.
Over time, these trace amounts can accumulate in your body’s fat cells, potentially increasing the chances of a positive drug test result. The more frequently you consume, the higher this risk becomes, especially if your consumption methods occasionally involve heat.
Body metabolism and chemistry
Everyone’s body processes cannabinoids differently. Your metabolism, body fat percentage, and overall health can all influence how long THC or its metabolites stay in your system. People with a faster metabolism might process and eliminate THC more quickly, reducing the detection window.
Conversely, those with higher body fat content may store THC metabolites longer, increasing the chance of detection during a drug test. Understanding how your body works can give you a better idea of how THCA might affect you and whether it could show up on a test.
If you’re worried about the possibility of a positive drug test, consider using broad spectrum CBD products, where THC content is filtered out, significantly reducing the risk of a positive result.
Topical products are another option, as they’re less likely to show up on a drug test since they don’t enter the bloodstream like edibles, oils, or smokable products do.
The bottom line
With more research highlighting the potential wellness benefits of cannabis, hemp, and their many cannabinoids, there’s hope that drug testing policies will evolve in the future. For now, though, knowing how drug tests work and the factors that can increase your chances of a positive result is key to making informed decisions.
At Sunmed, we adhere to federally legal guidelines, sourcing only from high-quality, US-grown industrial hemp. We third-party test all our products to ensure you know exactly what cannabinoids are in each serving, giving you peace of mind when choosing the right product for your wellness needs.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious | Harvard Health
Endocannabinoid Binding to the Cannabinoid Receptors: What Is Known and What Remains Unknown | PMC