The answer to whether a substance consumed via a vape cartridge, often called a “cart,” will show up on a drug test is a definitive yes. These cartridges typically contain highly concentrated oil, primarily featuring the psychoactive compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or its derivatives. Because THC is the substance being tested for, the method of consumption—whether vaping, smoking the flower, or eating an edible—does not change the fundamental detectability of the drug in the body. The test is designed to find the specific byproducts the body creates when processing the active compounds in the concentrated oil.
Identifying the Substance: THC Metabolites
Drug tests search for the byproduct created during the metabolic process, not the active THC compound itself. After consumption, liver enzymes break down delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) into various inactive compounds. The primary metabolite detected in most standard screenings is 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC, commonly referred to as THC-COOH.
This metabolite is highly fat-soluble (lipophilic), causing it to be stored within the body’s fat cells for an extended period. Unlike the parent drug, which is rapidly cleared from the bloodstream, THC-COOH is slowly released from these fat stores back into the blood and eventually excreted through the urine.
Standard urine screenings, which are the most common type of drug test, use specific threshold levels to determine a positive result. The initial screening test often uses a cutoff concentration of 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of THC-COOH. If the sample exceeds this level, it is typically sent for a confirmation test, which uses a more precise laboratory technique, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, with a lower cutoff of 15 ng/mL.
The Impact of Consumption Method on Testing
The highly concentrated nature of the oil in a vape cart means a high dose of THC can be consumed quickly, potentially leading to a higher initial concentration of metabolites in the body. The type of test used is the main factor in determining the detection window and what compound is being measured.
Urine tests detect the long-lasting, inactive THC-COOH metabolite, indicating use that occurred days or even weeks in the past. This test is the most common for employment screening due to its ease of collection and long detection window.
Conversely, saliva or oral swab tests primarily detect the parent drug, delta-9-THC, which indicates very recent use. Because THC is quickly cleared from the oral cavity, these tests have a much shorter detection window, often only a few hours up to two days.
Hair follicle tests offer the longest detection window. They collect metabolites that have been circulated through the bloodstream and incorporated into the growing hair strand, typically looking back approximately 90 days.
Standard Detection Windows for Cart Use
For a person who uses a cart for a single or first-time event, THC metabolites are generally cleared from the urine within one to three days. The body has not yet built up significant stores in its fatty tissues, allowing for relatively fast elimination.
For moderate users who consume two to four times per week, the detection window extends to approximately five to seven days. The body begins to accumulate some of the fat-soluble metabolites, which slows the overall clearance time.
Heavy or chronic users, defined as those who use daily or multiple times per day, face the longest detection windows. In chronic users, metabolites can be detectable in urine for 30 days or longer after the last use.
Some documented cases extend detection to 60 or even 77 days in heavy consumers. This prolonged presence is due to the saturation of fat cells with THC-COOH, which is then released slowly over time.
Variables That Influence Test Results
An individual’s metabolic rate plays a substantial part; people with faster metabolisms generally eliminate THC-COOH more quickly than those with slower rates. This is because a faster metabolism processes and excretes the compounds more efficiently.
Body composition is another major determinant, as THC-COOH is stored in fat cells. A person with a higher percentage of body fat will have more storage capacity for the metabolite, leading to a longer detection window as the compounds are slowly released from the saturated tissues. Conversely, individuals with lower body fat tend to have shorter detection times.
The potency and purity of the vape cartridge directly influence the amount of THC introduced into the body. A higher concentration of THC in the cart oil will create a larger cumulative dose and, consequently, a higher level of THC-COOH in the system.
Hydration can also temporarily affect the result, as acute dilution of urine by high fluid intake can lower the concentration of the metabolite below the test’s cutoff level.