If you’ve been pulled over for reckless driving, you may be asked to submit to a blood test for alcohol or cannabis. In a situation like that, it can be helpful to know how long weed shows up in a DUI blood test. While the physical effects of marijuana may fade quickly, the presence of it in the blood can be long-lasting.
For occasional cannabis users, the drug will show up on a blood test for one to two days. However, the time frame extends to as long as 25 days for frequent users. If you’ve been pulled over for marijuana DUI, you’ll want to arm yourself with the representation and legal knowledge you need to beat your case. That’s where a Los Angeles DUI lawyer can help.
How DUI Blood Tests for Weed Work
As mentioned above, weed can show up in your DUI blood test for one to two days or for 25 days if you’re a heavy user. Shortly after inhalation, THC, the substance that produces the intoxicating effects of marijuana, reaches the tissues or is absorbed by the blood.
Blood tests are commonly administered for DUIs because they measure active THC, which can help law enforcement officers determine if you consumed cannabis recently.
If you’ve been pulled over by a police officer and tested positive for weed, you could be facing fines, license suspension, and even imprisonment. Fortunately, an experienced DUI attorney can help you build a strong defense case and work tirelessly to get your DUI weed charges reduced or dismissed.
Factors That Affect Marijuana Detection by Blood Tests
As a cannabis user, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the factors involved in detecting marijuana with blood tests. The ability to detect marijuana in your system depends on but is not limited to the following factors:
- Frequency of use
- Time of consumption
- Test type
- Test sensitivity
- Dosage administered
- Genetic makeup
- Metabolism
These factors can impact how long weed will show up in your DUI blood test. Even if you don’t feel like you’re under the influence of weed, it could show up in a test. Therefore, it’s best to play it safe and avoid driving after using cannabis. However, if you have tested positive for marijuana after a DUI stop, you can count on an experienced lawyer to help you avoid a conviction.
Other Methods Used for Detecting Marijuana Intoxication
Blood tests aren’t the only way that police can identify weed in your system after a DUI stop. If you’ve been stopped by law enforcement for suspicion of impaired driving, they can choose to administer a number of different tests to identify marijuana, including the following:
Breath
The most common and least invasive way that police can test for marijuana is by using a device similar to an alcohol breathalyzer that identifies THC in the breath. THC is present in the breath after it is transferred from the bloodstream to the lungs. Once THC is present in the breath, it can be identified by a breath test for two to three hours after consumption.
Saliva
If you were pulled over in a jurisdiction where marijuana is legal, police may administer an oral swab to check your saliva for THC. Since cannabinoids are detectable in oral fluid, this form of testing is a reliable way to identify marijuana intoxication. For occasional users, weed can appear in saliva for one to three days after consumption or up to 29 days for frequent users.
Urine
If police have pulled you over because they suspect you are driving while high, you might have to take a urine test. It can take time for traces of weed to be undetectable due to its ability to bind to fat molecules in the body. Weed can show up in a urine test up to 3 days after the last time you used cannabis and a minimum of 10 days if you are a heavy user.
Hair
After you consume cannabis, small blood vessels carry traces of marijuana to your hair follicles. While a hair test can detect weed in hair follicles, it isn’t the most relied-on test for DUI traffic stops. That’s because the residue from weed takes about 7 to 10 days to absorb into the follicle, making this test more indicative of regular use than occasional use.
If you take a hair test after a DUI stop, you can expect the test to detect THC up to 90 days after consumption. Regardless of which type of test you take, an experienced attorney can challenge a positive result and fight relentlessly to get your DUI charges dropped.
Alternative Evidence Used for Weed DUI Charges
While it can be helpful to know how long weed shows up in a DUI blood test, it’s also important to understand that there are other ways that law enforcement officers can determine if you’ve been driving under the influence of cannabis.
Here are some of the signs of cannabis consumption that officers will look for when they suspect you of driving while high:
- The smell of weed in the car
- An open marijuana container or cannabis paraphernalia
- Physical signs of impairment with a negative alcohol breath test
DUI Testing Procedure in Los Angeles
If stopped and suspected to be under the influence, you’ll be asked to step out of the vehicle to perform roadside sobriety testing. While you may refuse to take an initial test, it does not guarantee that you will not be detained.
If arrested, your license will be confiscated and you’ll be taken to a local hospital or police station to perform drug testing. It’s in your best interest to comply with the formal blood test, as refusal may lead to additional penalties under the California Vehicle Code. The timeframe for obtaining the DUI blood sample lab results can vary.
Why It’s Complicated to Charge Drivers Impaired by Weed
Cannabis can remain in the bloodstream for extended periods. Prolonged detection creates difficulty in charging someone with marijuana DUI. Even the most commonly used tests can provide misleading information about the time consumption and whether your impairment is truly cannabis-related.
In addition, California law doesn’t have a set limit, similar to the acceptable Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit, that dictates whether or not you are driving while marijuana impaired.
How a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer Can Help You Avoid a Weed DUI Conviction
Facing weed DUI charges can be incredibly stressful and could lead to severe penalties. Fortunately, a DUI lawyer from Los Angeles can help you build a strong defense case and fight to protect your permanent record. Here’s what an experienced attorney can do to help:
- Investigate the incident and collect evidence to build your legal defense
- Challenge the legality of the traffic stop and reliability of field sobriety tests
- Investigate the possibility of faulty testing equipment
- Present alternative explanations for erratic driving behavior
- Challenge the arresting officer’s subjective observations
- Use evidence and legal arguments to construct a strong defense case
- Negotiate a plea deal for reduced charges or alternative sentencing.
- Represent you in court and fight to get your charges dropped
- Provide information on how long weed shows up in a DUI blood test
- Provide effective legal advice throughout your case
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Los Angeles Weed DUI Attorney
A weed DUI conviction can lead to exorbitant fines, license suspension, and even prison time. After a cannabis DUI arrest, it’s important to familiarize yourself with how long weed shows up in DUI blood tests. However, it’s even more critical to consult with a skilled lawyer. An attorney can answer any questions you have and build a strong defense case on your behalf.
If you or someone that you know was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of marijuana in Los Angeles, CA, contact us to explore your legal defense. Our Los Angeles DUI lawyers can offer a free consultation and provide the legal assistance you need to avoid severe consequences.