In recent years, the use of CBD oil has been embraced for its almost miraculous healing qualities. This non-psychoactive compound extracted from cannabis can be used to manage chronic pain, anxiety,
As CBD oil becomes more popular, users have begun asking whether using it might make them fail drug tests. This fear is completely understandable. CBD is extracted from marijuana and that plant will definitely make you fail a drug test. However, CBD is not marijuana. Let’s look at what will actually happen if you have a drug test while using CBD.
What Does a Cannabis Drug Test Detect?
Most marijuana drug tests only screen for THC, the cannabinoid compound that gets you “high”. By law, most CBD products only have 0.3% THC. However, different types of drug tests have varying levels of detection. For instance, in order to pass the “pee test” or urine drug test, your THC levels need to be less than 50 ng/mL.
It is harder to detect THC through a blood drug test. Although traces of THC may be present in the plasma, THC is expelled relatively fast from blood. THC is detectable in blood plasma for a maximum of five hours.
Saliva testing is not very common. As a result, there are no legally established cut-offs for THC. A study published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology recommended 4ng/mL as the cut-off value for THC. The compound remains detectable in oral fluids for up to seventy-two hours.
In rare cases, hair can be used for drug testing. There are no established cut-offs for THC limits in hair. However, private industries use 1pg/mg (one picogram per milligram). Traces of THC remain detectable in one’s hair for at least 90 days.
The Different Types of CBD Extracts
Now that we’ve looked at the different types of drug tests, let’s look at the different types of CBD. Understanding what makes each type of CBD unique will be key in understanding whether using it might affect the result of your drug test.
1. Full-spectrum CBD
Full Spectrum CBD contains all the naturally occurring compounds present in cannabis. These compounds include flavonoids, terpenes and even THC. This extract comes from marijuana subspecies as such; they may contain varying levels of THC. By law, full-spectrum CBD products should only contain 0.3% THC. However, not all manufacturers disclose the amount of THC present in their CBD products. Therefore, it might be difficult for the consumer to gauge the amount of THC in the product. This poses a serious risk for those facing a drug test while using full-spectrum CBD products.
2. Broad-spectrum CBD
While broad-spectrum CBD contains terpenes and flavonoids, it lacks THC. This makes it ideal for people who need to stay on the safe side of looming drug tests. Broad-spectrum CBD is widely available in the market in the form of oils.
3. CBD isolate
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD available. It is typically obtained from hemp plants that have a high concentration of CBD and very little quantities of THC. This type of CBD comes in the form of tiny solid slabs that are consumed orally or in the form of a powder. It can also be bought in the form of tincture or oil.
Now that you are familiar with the different types of CBD, let’s get to the juicy part of the article.
Be sure to also check out “Mixing CBD and Caffeine (Benefits and Risks)” for helpful info in mixing your CBD oil with caffeinated beverages.
Reasons Why CBD Oil Can Make You Fail Your Drug Test
Accumulation
One of the reasons why you might fail your drug test is because of accumulation of THC from using CBD products. Scientists have discovered that it is possible for THC to accumulate in the body, four to six days prior to the drug test. This gradual accumulation of THC can trigger a positive result even if the consumer has never used marijuana.
Higher amounts of THC than reported
A report released by the CDC in 2018 uncovered that it is also possible that some CBD products contain more than 0.3% THC. This is especially true for products that are purchased online or without the recommendation of a medical practitioner. Some CBD products may contain up to 6.4% of THC. This amount is enough to cause a distortion in behavior and perception.
Secondary exposure to THC
Although extremely rare, it is possible to test positive for THC through inhaling second-hand marijuana smoke. New research suggests that depending on the potency and ventilation of the room, secondary exposure to THC is possible.
Be sure to also check out “CBD Oil Won’t Get You High But Here’s What to Expect” for a look at the differences between THC and the non-psychoactive CBD.
Product mislabelling
Since CBD products are still relatively new in the market, they aren’t properly regulated. This means that there is rarely a third-party monitoring of their composition and labeling. Inaccurate labels are common. Therefore, it is possible to consume CBD products laced with THC unintentionally.
A 2017 study assessed the accuracy of CBD product labels. Out of 84 products, 18 had high levels of THC. This proves that product mislabelling is a fairly common habit in the industry.
Cross-contamination
During the manufacturing stage, it is possible for certain CBD products to be cross-contaminated. This is especially true if the manufacturers are handling CBD-only or THC-only products. Cross-contamination can also occur in the home. If CBD products are left around products with THC, there could be some contamination.
How Can I Be Sure of My CBD Products?
At this point, you are probably wondering, “How can I ensure that my CBD product is THC free?”
There are a few things you can do. For starters, read the product information. It is crucial to understand the source of your CBD products. Are they hemp-based or marijuana-based? It would also be beneficial to understand the type of CBD extract used in its manufacturing.
You should also watch-out for terms like no-additives, solvent-free, CO2 extracted, USDA certified organic, decarboxylated and no-preservatives.
You should also opt for products that list the amount of CBD and THC present. Often, products with a higher CBD concentration per dose are more expensive than those that don’t.
Typically CBD will not affect the results of your drug test. Regardless, you should keep in mind that the cannabidiol industry is still young and is mostly unregulated. The best advice we can give you is to get your CBD products from a reliable source. Thank you for reading! Let us know in the comments below what kind of brand CBD oil you’re using.
Be sure to also check out other helpful content to enhance your CBD knowledge like “CBD Beer Will Be Your New Favorite Drink” or even “Most Recognized CBD Companies in the World“.
