Will THCA Show Up on a Drug Test?

Whether you’re using high-THCA flower, live resin oil, or hemp-derived gummies, one question matters more than almost anything else: can THCA make you fail a drug test? The short answer is: yes, it’s possible. Here’s exactly how drug tests work, how your body processes THCA, and what you should know before your next screening.

How Standard Drug Tests Work

Most workplace or athletic drug tests do not look for THCA itself. Instead, they detect the metabolite THC-COOH, which appears after your body processes active THC. If THC is in your system — regardless of the source — traditional urine tests will usually detect it.

THCA Isn’t THC — But It Can Become THC

Here’s how THCA interacts with testing:

• THCA is the precursor to THC. In its raw form, it is non-psychoactive and does not produce a typical “high.”
• Heat converts THCA into THC. Smoking, vaping, dabbing, or decarbing transforms THCA → THC → THC-COOH metabolites.
• Even raw THCA can degrade into THC over time. Heat, storage, or age can slowly convert some THCA into detectable THC.

So while THCA alone is not the target of drug tests, anything that increases THC or THC-COOH levels raises your risk.

So… Will THCA Show Up on a Drug Test?

The reality is nuanced:

• If you heat or smoke THCA: Expect THC conversion and a potential positive test.
• If you consume raw THCA (no heat): The risk is lower — but not zero because of natural THCA-to-THC conversion and broader testing panels.
• Frequent users: More use = more metabolites = higher chance of detection.
• Your test type matters: Some detect more metabolites than others.

If you anticipate a drug test, assume any THC conversion may be detected.

Detection Windows: How Long THCA/THC May Stay in Your System

Although THCA itself isn’t the target, once converted to THC, detection windows resemble traditional cannabis timelines:

• Occasional use: a few days (urine)
• Regular use: 1–4+ weeks depending on metabolism and body fat
• Heavy or long-term use: potentially 30–60 days
• Hair tests: up to ~90 days in some cases

Everyone metabolizes cannabinoids differently, so these ranges are estimates — not guarantees.

What to Do If You’re Concerned About Testing

1. Review your product’s COA: Check the Certificate of Analysis for residual THC and accurate cannabinoid levels.
2. Avoid heated consumption: Smoking, vaping, dabbing, or baking THCA rapidly increases THC levels.
3. Understand your testing method: Urine tests detect metabolites the longest; saliva and blood tests have shorter windows.
4. Give yourself buffer time: If you know screening is coming, consider pausing use to allow your system to clear metabolites.

Final Thoughts

THCA alone is not the target of drug tests — but because THCA easily converts to THC, it can still lead to a positive result. The safest approach is to assume that any heated THCA product may be detectable for days or weeks depending on your usage habits.

If you enjoy THCA flower, carts, or extracts from thisthat CBD and expect a screening, plan ahead and rely on clean, transparent COA-verified batches.

Browse THCA Flower  |  Explore THCA Vapes & Extracts