Which substance has the longest detection time in the body?

Marijuana, primarily due to its main psychoactive component, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has the longest detection time in the body compared to the other substances listed. THC is highly lipophilic, meaning it tends to accumulate in fatty tissues and is released slowly over time. This accumulation leads to a prolonged presence in the body, which can result in detection periods that last for days to weeks after use, depending on the frequency and quantity of consumption.

In contrast, substances like cocaine and amphetamines have shorter detection windows, primarily because they are metabolized and eliminated more quickly from the body. While benzodiazepines can have extended detection times depending on their specific type and usage patterns, they generally do not persist in the body as long as marijuana. This unique property of THC to linger and be stored in fat tissues considerably extends the detection time for marijuana in drug tests.