Some of the THC molecules pass through the capillary walls and enter the liver cells. Liver cells contain vast amounts of enzymes. These are a kind of workers that help convert or break down substances.
Through the action of these enzymes, the THC is almost completely converted into breakdown products, or metabolites. More than 80 different metabolites are known.
The THC is also stored in body fat. It takes 2 to 7 days before it is released from the body fat.
Cannabis tests do not try to identify THC. The blood contains too little THC and it is broken down very rapidly. Cannabis tests therefore detect the presence of its metabolites.