The duration of how long weed lasts can be understood in three main contexts: the shelf life of the cannabis product, the length of the high, and how long it stays detectable in the body.
1. Shelf Life of Weed (How long cannabis stays good)
- Properly stored dried cannabis can last between 6 months to 1 year before it starts losing potency and aroma, with about 16% THC loss after 1 year, increasing over time (26% after 2 years, 34% after 3 years)
- With ideal storage conditions (limiting light, air, temperature extremes, and humidity fluctuations), cannabis can last 1 to 2 years before significant cannabinoid degradation occurs
- Improper storage causes immediate decline in flavor and potency, and mold can develop if humidity is too high
2. Duration of the Weed High
- When smoked or vaped, the high typically lasts 1 to 4 hours, sometimes up to 6 hours depending on factors like strain, THC content, metabolism, and tolerance
- Edibles produce a longer-lasting high, typically peaking between 2 to 4 hours and effects can last several more hours before wearing off completely
3. How Long Weed Stays in Your System
- THC can be detected in blood for up to 12-48 hours, saliva for 24 hours to 3 days, urine for 1 day up to 30 days or longer depending on usage frequency, and hair for up to 90 days
- For occasional users, THC metabolites may be detectable in urine for up to 3 days, while heavy users may test positive for a month or more
Summary Table
Aspect| Duration| Notes
---|---|---
Shelf life (proper storage)| 6 months to 2 years| Potency and aroma decline
over time
High duration (smoking)| 1 to 4 hours (up to 6 hours)| Depends on dose,
strain, metabolism
High duration (edibles)| 2 to 4 hours peak; several more hours| Longer onset
and duration than smoking
Detectable in blood| Up to 12-48 hours|
Detectable in saliva| 24 hours to 3 days|
Detectable in urine| 1 day to 30+ days| Varies by frequency of use
Detectable in hair| Up to 90 days|
In conclusion, weed's effects last a few hours, the product remains usable for months to a couple of years if stored well, and it can be detected in the body for days to months depending on various factors
