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PL Cannabinoid · THC metabolite (inactive)
THC-COOH (11-nor-9-carboxy-THC) is the inactive metabolite the body makes after breaking down THC. It does not get you high — but it is fat-soluble, lingers for days to weeks, and is exactly the molecule standard cannabis drug tests are designed to detect.
The drug-test molecule
Why tests look for it, not THC
THC itself clears the blood quickly, but THC-COOH is stored in fat and released slowly, so it stays detectable in urine far longer — days for occasional use, weeks for heavy use. Because it is specific to cannabis and long-lasting, it is the standard target for urine drug screens. Its presence shows past exposure, not current impairment.
FAQ
Does THC-COOH get you high? No. It is the inactive end-metabolite of THC. It is what drug tests detect, but it has no intoxicating effect.
How long does THC-COOH stay detectable? From a few days for occasional use to several weeks for heavy use, because it is stored in body fat and released slowly.
Sources
- 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC and cannabis drug testing, PubMed. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Part of the NOIDS cannabinoids index. Educational reference, not medical advice.
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