How Your Body Processes Cannabis: A Clinician’s Guide to THC Metabolism

When it comes to substance metabolism, not all compounds are processed equally—and cannabis is a prime example. While alcohol follows a fairly predictable metabolic pathway, THC behaves differently in the body, and understanding that distinction is important for both consumers and clinicians alike.

At Dr. Murse | CannabisDNP, we believe that education is essential to safe and effective cannabis use. Let’s break down how cannabis moves through the body—and why it matters.

🚫 Cannabis Doesn’t Metabolize Like Alcohol

Alcohol is metabolized by the liver consistently and measurably. On average, the body eliminates alcohol at a rate of 0.015 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) per hour, or about 15 mg/dL/h. This equates to roughly half a standard drink per hour, assuming a healthy adult liver.

Once consumed, alcohol is metabolized by liver enzymes and then excreted through breath, sweat, and urine, until it is completely cleared from the body.

🌿 Cannabis Takes a Longer, More Complex Path

Cannabis, on the other hand, behaves quite differently due to its lipophilic (fat-loving) nature. THC is not water-soluble like alcohol; instead, it binds to fat tissue, resulting in a slower, less predictable elimination process.

Here’s a simplified overview of THC metabolism:

1. Consumption: THC (Δ9-THC) enters the body via inhalation or ingestion.

2. Initial Metabolism: It is processed by the liver into 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC)—a compound that is still psychoactive, and often more potent than Δ9-THC.

3. Further Metabolism: 11-OH-THC is then broken down further by the liver into 11-COOH-THC (11-carboxy-THC), an inactive metabolite.

4. Storage and Elimination: Because THC is stored in fat tissues, it slowly leaches back into the bloodstream over time. Eventually, it is excreted through urine (~20%) as carboxy-THC (11-COOH-THC) and stool (~65%) as hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC).

Depending on frequency and duration of use, THC can remain in the body for 5 to 30 days, sometimes even longer in chronic users. This is important to remember. Cannabidiol (CBD) follows a similar path, with different metabolites, and is primarily excreted through the stool.

💡 Why This Matters

The way cannabis is metabolized has real-world implications:

• Dosing Sensitivity: Because of the lingering presence of THC in fat tissue, users may still feel effects—or test positive—days after use.

• Drug Testing Awareness: Unlike alcohol, which clears quickly, cannabis metabolites can be detected long after consumption.

• Clinical Considerations: For healthcare providers and caregivers, it’s important to understand these pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) when making therapeutic decisions involving cannabinoids.

  
  

🧠 Takeaway

Understanding how cannabis is metabolized empowers patients and consumers to make more informed, safer decisions. Recognizing how THC interacts with the body—its onset, duration, storage in fat tissues, and gradual elimination—can help set realistic expectations for both immediate effects and long-term presence in the system.

At Dr. Murse/CannabisDNP Therapeutic Taffies, our formulations are guided by clinical insight and crafted with both efficacy and safety in mind—so consumers can feel confident in every dose.