Half-life

Half-life is a measure of how long it takes for your body to break down and eliminate half a drug from your body. It helps doctors to determine how often and when a drug should be taken.

The length of time medical cannabis stays in your system—and how long its effects are felt—can vary from person to person. Several factors influence this, including your dosage, how often you take it, metabolism, body fat, and method of administration.

For example, cannabis compounds like tetrahydrocannabinol THC and cannabidiol CBD are stored in fat cells, meaning they may remain longer in people with higher body fat. A faster metabolism may also break down cannabinoids more quickly. Age, overall health, and liver function all play a role as well.

Key factors that affect how long cannabis effects last include:

• Method of administration: Inhaled cannabis effects typically last 2–4 hours, while oral products (like oils or capsules) may last 6–8 hours or more.
• Dosage and frequency: Higher or more frequent doses can build up in the body over time.
• Individual metabolism: People with faster metabolisms tend to process and eliminate cannabinoids more quickly.
• Body fat: THC is fat-soluble and may remain longer in people with higher body fat percentages.
• Age, health, and liver function can also affect how quickly cannabinoids are processed.

The half-life of cannabis in the bloodstream can vary depending on the specific compound (such as THC or CBD), the dose, the method of use, and the individual’s metabolism. Cannabis can typically be detected in the bloodstream for around 12 hours after use, but in some cases, it may still be detectable after 24 hours or even longer.