It’s common practice in some industries for employees to be subjected to random drug testing. This is especially true for jobs in heavy industry, such as oil, gas, and mining, as well as transportation, including trucking and public transportation. Drug tests are just a part of the job, which may leave employees and CBD-product users wondering, “Does CBD show up on drug tests?”
As CBD oil becomes an increasingly common and accepted therapeutic agent for pain, mood, and inflammation (check some of the many benefits here 5 Benefits of CBD Oil), many people question whether CBD oil could show up on their next on-the-job drug test. After all, if drug tests are looking for marijuana, can’t they also detect CBD, one of its cannabinoid components?
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Before we dive into the details of how drug tests work, we should confirm that, under most circumstances, CBD oil will not trigger a positive test result. Knowing that CBD does not show up on drug tests, besides in a few rare cases outlined below, should put most of your fears to rest. For most people taking CBD as a daily supplement, there is little to no risk that CBD oil will jeopardize employment.
Beyond that, somewhat simplified answer are a few lingering complexities to sort out. Does it matter where the CBD oil comes from? Is there a drug test for CBD oil specifically? How do drug tests work?
The Low Down on Drug Tests and CBD
Not all drug tests work in the same way. Some tests look for immediate on-the-spot results, while others check for evidence of the longer-term use of marijuana. Job-site drug tests almost always are going to check for short-term evidence, but if you are still in the interview process, potential employers may require a test that checks for longer-term use.
No matter what kind of drug test you undergo, no tests look for CBD specifically. Instead, drug tests look only for the psychoactive compound in marijuana, THC. Tests looking for immediate results, such as saliva tests, rely on an oral swab to check for the THC molecule in your saliva. This test has a short window of accuracy and usually will find THC only up to 48 hours after consumption.
Other tests that examine urine, blood and hair have a much more extended period of accuracy. These tests do not test for THC; instead, they check for a metabolite called THC-COOH. Once ingested, THC enters the bloodstream and is metabolized by the liver into THC-COOH. Urine, blood and hair tests were designed to test for THC-COOH, instead of THC. The THC-COOH metabolite remains in the body for up to forty-five days.
Whatever test an employee undergoes is not designed to detect CBD in blood, urine, hair, or saliva. Most importantly, drug tests are designed to be precise, created to react with very particular chemical compounds. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, out of all the dozens of cannabinoids known to exist in marijuana, THC is their only concern. Therefore, it’s the only concern for drug testers.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Still have concerns? Still have lingering suspicions about CBD oil and drug tests?
Happily, we can confirm that hemp derived CBD products are legal in all fifty states, and in more than forty-five countries worldwide. Hemp products are not on any federal watch list and, unlike marijuana, are not classified as a Schedule I drug (a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical use).
The DEA primarily is concerned with the psychoactivity of Cannabis Sativa products. Therefore, CBD oil and other products sourced from industrial hemp are of no concern to the agency. So in the rare cases where it does show up, it will be of little concern to the DEA.
According to the U.S. Drug Test Centers, “If the product contains only CBD and has had the THC removed, then an individual being tested would not be expected to test positive for marijuana or marijuana metabolite. Psychoactivity is directly related to THC content, and hemp products contain less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. With the THC content so low, CBD hemp products become legal.”
There is much more to learn about the differences between.
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What Are the Risks for Positive Test Results?
There is a slight chance, under certain circumstances, that CBD oil could trigger a false positive on a standard drug test. The risk is low, and there is limited information available on whether this has occurred in the past, and under what circumstances.
Source High-Quality Hemp CBD
Always source high-quality products derived from hemp, and hemp alone. Hemp legally contains less than 0.3 percent THC, and therefore should not trigger a positive test result. Many products on the market are isolated from medical marijuana, increasing the risk for THC contamination.
RELATED: How To Choose A High-Quality CBD Oil
At the same time, finding whole plant hemp CBD products is essential for obtaining its many medicinal qualities. Cannabidiol isolates reduce the overall therapeutic potential. Whole plant hemp CBD products always are superior, as they take advantage of other cannabinoids and terpenes found within the same plant. Isolating CBD destroys the many other helpful compounds and overall therapeutic benefits.
False Positives with High Doses of CBD Oil
There is little evidence to confirm it, but some experts theorize that extremely high doses of CBD oil may lead to a false positive drug test result. For example, a dosage of 2,000 mg daily (on the highest end of the dosage spectrum) could cause a false positive drug test result. However, it’s very likely people taking this CBD dosage would be treating a terminal illness, such as cancer, and would, under most circumstances, not be subjected to drug testing of any kind.
Continuing To Use THC Products
Not surprisingly, if you take CBD in conjunction with THC products, it is entirely likely you will test positive for THC. Cannabidiol will not cancel out any THC compounds floating around in your system. In fact, CBD inhibits the ability of the liver to process specific compounds efficiently. So, there is a chance your THC test will read higher if you take CBD. If you foresee any drug test in your future, it is essential to cease all consumption of THC products as early as three months beforehand.
The Final Word
Every day across America, employers subject their employees to a variety of drug tests. Thankfully, CBD is not a concern and, therefore, is not on the target list. In the vast majority of cases (except the exceptions mentioned above), CBD is safe for use before a drug test. According to the US Drug Test Centers website, “it would seem that CBD alone is not enough to raise any red flags on a drug test.”
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Sources:
https://www.usdrugtestcenters.com/drug-test-blog/181/can-you-fail-a-drug-test-due-to-cbd.html
https://www.redwoodtoxicology.com/resources/drug_info/marijuana
https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2287.aspx?CategoryID=53
