CBD, a beneficial substance for a variety of bodily ailments, is often confused with its illegal cousin THC, especially when it comes to drug testing.
CBD does not show up on drug tests simply because drug tests are not looking for it. However, CBD products can contain trace amounts of THC, which can possibly show up on a drug test, but only if you are consuming “full spectrum” products very frequently.
CBD produces no psychoactive effects and is non-habit-forming, and when used with the same caution as any other relaxing substance, it should have no reason to interfere with one’s ability to do work, participate in sports, or function in day-to-day life.
But what about CBD allows it to exist as a safe alternative to THC, and is there any risk of cross contamination?
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CBD itself typically does not show up on standard drug tests. Drug tests are usually designed to detect THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and its metabolites, not CBD. However, there are some important considerations:
To minimize the risk of failing a drug test while using CBD:
It’s important to note that while pure CBD use is unlikely to cause a positive drug test, it’s not impossible due to these factors. If you’re subject to drug testing, it’s safest to consult with the testing authority about their specific policies regarding CBD use.
Full spectrum CBD is unlikely to make you fail a drug test because it contains only trace amounts of THC, but because cannabinoids are fat-soluble and build up in the body over time, things can become risky in the long-term.
Full spectrum CBD is an extract that includes all of the various compounds that one might find in the plant it is being distilled from.
This can mean that if it is distilled from a strain of marijuana, it will include some amount of THC. If it is distilled from a hemp plant, that amount will likely be very small to the point of being negligible.
Because CBD products sold legally in the U.S. are derived from hemp, the amount of THC in them, even full spectrum products, must contain 0.3% THC or less by weight.
If random drug testing is a part of your job, it may also be best to heed this advice (as it can be hard to ensure that the amount of THC in your system is below what tests look for).
There are several methods used to test for drugs, each with its own advantages and detection windows. The most common drug testing methods are:
Most employers rely on urine testing for both pre-employment and random drug screening. Urine testing is fast, simple, and affordable, so it’s the best option for employers looking to test on a frequent basis.
Employers usually do random drug testing, or at least claim to, on the basis of promoting workplace safety. Both pre-employment and random drug screenings tend to stick to a 5-panel test, which looks for:
While it could technically be possible for an administrator to add a test that detects the presence of CBD, it would be incredibly uncommon, and is not part of typical routine drug testing. A company would likely have to make a very specific request for a CBD oil drug test.
Additionally, CBD does not get you high, and has little to no effect on an individual’s ability to function in the workplace or at school.
Employers generally are unconcerned with testing for it, just as they are unconcerned with other non-intoxicating substances, such as Advil or Motrin.
No, CBD does not show up even on a 10-panel drug screen. That’s because CBD is not one of the substances being searched for; it’s simply not a drug that these tests are looking for.
Instead, a 10-panel drug screen looks for:
You can indeed pass a drug test administered by the Department of Transportation after using CBD oil so long as it is broad spectrum or is a CBD isolate product.
Hemp-derived products contain so little THC that it shouldn’t be detectable on drug tests, but if you’re looking to avoid it altogether, stick to CBD isolate oils. Click here to read our deep dive into DOT drug testing.
No, CBD will not show up on a probation drug test because tests do not look for CBD.
Probation drug tests are generally saliva or urine tests. Even extensive, 10-panel tests don’t look for CBD; it’s not considered a controlled substance and is federally legal, so it’s not a legal concern.
It’s best to stick to CBD isolate products while on probation to avoid the risk of any THC-build up, which can be detected by drug tests, from occurring.
CBD is estimated to stay in an individual’s system for 2-5 days, however, a number of variables can affect the full length of time it stays.
CBD can be affected by the frequency with which an individual uses it. It is a compound that has a tendency to remain in an individual’s body and build up over time if used often enough. Someone who has only used it once will likely have CBD in their system for a shorter amount of time than someone who’s an habitual user. Dosages can also have an effect. Someone who takes a higher dosage will take longer to completely rid it from their system.
Additionally, as with other substances, food and water intake can affect how quickly it is metabolized. Having a lower BMI, or having eaten less food can make it metabolize more quickly.
Again, as with many other substances, the way you ingest or use CBD can affect how quickly it metabolizes. Oral ingestion of pure oils or vaporized CBD can be much faster than edibles, balms, or rubs, which may take longer to be absorbed.
It is highly unlikely that an employer or administrator will test you specifically for CBD usage. It is uncommon in widely available testing kits, and there would not be much reason for an employer or administrator to seek out a test for a non-psychoactive, non-habit-forming substance. However, an employer could still theoretically test you for it.
It is somewhat unlikely, but still possible, for THC to show up in a drug test from use of products marketed as CBD, depending on the type and quality of product that you have purchased. If you are interested in limiting the amount of THC you ingest, it might be smart to purchase only broad-spectrum or CBD isolate products.
CBD can stay in your system for 2-5 days, but this can be changed based on a variety of variables, such as food and water intake, frequency and dosages, and method of use.
Shopping for CBD can be confusing, especially if you are worried about the labelling of the products you are buying. However, shopping from a reputable distributor can ease much of the worry, and can help introduce you to a world of products aimed at treating a wide variety of physical and mental health complications. Click here to shop from a wide selection of hemp and CBD products from a long list of honest and high quality distributors.
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