Different CBD products have varying active ingredients, and each can affect a drug test differently. Here you can learn more about what products will cause positive drug tests.
Is it possible for CBD to make you fail a drug test?
Under federal law, hemp extracts are legal if they contain 0.3% THC or less, by weight. That would be the equivalent to ⅓ of 1 pound out of 100 total pounds.
The short answer: Yes, CBD oil products can cause you to fail a work or probation drug screen. This is because they are derived from the hemp plant – Cannabis sativa – which contains trace amounts of THC. This is the compound responsible for the “high” feeling associated with cannabis, and it is the active compound that all drug tests search for.
Is there a CBD drug test?
There are no known drug tests that search specifically for CBD. All commercial tests are looking for THC, which is present in some CBD oil products.
Can CBD cause a false positive?
This is highly unlikely. Since many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, tests searching for it will be pretty accurate. Since most employers do not have exceptions in their drug policies for CBD products, it’s best to be cautious here and not plan on having a false positive. That’s not a fight you want to try winning, especially with your job or probation on the line.
Understanding CBD Oil Products
The CBD oil industry is unique because nearly no other consumer product presents laboratory panels to everyday customers. Understanding these lab tests is important to learning about the different types of hemp derived CBD products, and their effects on the body.
Full Spectrum CBD Oils
Full Spectrum extract is one of the most popular types of CBD due to its many potential benefits. In addition to CBD itself, this extract contains other cannabinoids and terpenes like CBG, THC, myrcene, and caryophyllene. A 1oz oil can easily contain up to 2mg of THC per serving while remaining compliant with federal regulations. This does wonders to increase the relaxing effects of the oil, but care must be taken when using these products.
Will Full Spectrum CBD show on a probation drug test?
Since full spectrum CBD contains measurable amounts of THC, you must avoid full spectrum products at all costs if you are or will be subject to drug screening. All probation officers and most employers do not have exceptions to their rules for THC contained in CBD oil products. In fact, there is no way to tell the difference between a positive drug screen from using marijuana or one from using CBD oil. Thus, the best advice is to avoid full spectrum products when you expect to undergo drug testing.
Broad Spectrum CBD Oils
Full Spectrum oils can be further extracted to remove the THC, leaving other cannabinoids intact. One of the downsides to this method is that the strength of the other compounds is weakened as well, meaning that broad spectrum oils will not be as potent as full spectrum oils. However, they make up for this by being more accessible to THC-averse users.
Broad Spectrum CBD products are the first acceptable option for someone looking to use CBD without worrying about drug tests.
Will Broad Spectrum CBD show up on a drug test?
Generally speaking, broad spectrum CBD products will not cause you to fail a drug screen. However, not all broad spectrum extracts are made at the same level of quality, and it is possible to have one with trace THC levels. Soon, we’ll discuss the ways to avoid this problem.
CBD Isolate
This is essentially pure CBD, a fluffy white powder that contains greater than 99% cannabidiol (CBD). Products made from CBD isolate give you the highest chance of passing drug tests. This is because they are the most likely to be THC-free. You should expect that any third party lab for a CBD isolate product shows that THC is not detected.
Can I find THC in a CBD isolate product?
There are some exceptions that can cause lab tests for CBD isolate products to display THC. Occasionally, high concentrations of terpenes, essential oils, or flavorings over 2% can cause laboratory equipment to display a false positive test result, reporting THC where there is none. Your safest option when using CBD isolate products to avoid THC is to pick the simplest, cleanest possible product. It should only contain CBD isolate and carrier oils without added flavorings.
Can hemp oil make you fail a drug test?
This is a common question with an answer that may surprise you. Hemp oil and CBD oil are not the same thing, with one major difference to discuss. Hemp oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant, and is great for cooking and dressing salads. It has no active cannabinoids, and it will not make you fail a drug test. CBD oil is extracted from the flowers of the hemp plant, which possess all the active cannabinoids.
How much CBD will make me fail a drug test?
It’s important to make a distinction between CBD and THC. CBD on its own will not lead to a positive drug test, because drug tests are looking for THC metabolites. It’s the THC in some CBD products that will cause these positive results. There are various tests, each with different detection capabilities.
Blood tests
These are the most precise tests, able to detect THC as low as 1 nanogram per milliliter. However, THC is metabolized out of the blood rapidly. This makes them effective only for determining whether you are impaired right now.
Hair tests
Nowadays, these are rare tests because of other, easier options. Their accuracy is unparalleled and they can detect THC use as far back as three months.
Saliva tests
These are less common because they are less reliable, and usually only good for detecting use in the last couple days.
Urine tests
Urine drug tests are one of the fastest, most popular ways of testing. These tests can register THC amounts as low as 50 nanograms per milliliter, low enough to know that someone has ingested THC in the last 3-4 days. Regular users of marijuana or full spectrum CBD oil will be detectable for a few weeks after their last usage via urine test.
How to make sure CBD oil will not show up on a drug test
An understanding of the CBD products that can be made from the cannabis plant and the tests that can identify THC use are helpful in selecting the right CBD to pass a drug test. There are a few good pieces of advice for picking the best CBD products.
Inspect CBD oil labels before you buy
Reputable suppliers of CBD products will identify on their product labels what kind of CBD has been used – Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, or CBD isolate. If you’re new to the industry and aren’t certain about reading labels, ask the company! Beyond Botanicals has customer service staff ready to help explain their labels to you via phone or email, and it’s important to us to get you the right answers.
Mislabeled CBD Products
Industry studies have shown that only one third of CBD product labels display accurate information. This is why it’s so important to learn how to interpret product labels. The best tool you have for identifying good CBD labels and products is third party lab testing.
Learn how to read third-party lab reports
Nearly every US state has some sort of requirement for lab testing of cannabinoid products. Although these requirements can vary from state to state, the common thread is usually requiring that the lab be both independent and ISO-17025 certified. This independence means that they aren’t just creating results the manufacturer wants to see without verifying them. In short, it means they have integrity!
The ISO certification is part of an international standard affirming laboratories are able to calibrate, sample, and test with an established level of quality, accuracy, and reproducibility. Different labs display proof of this certification in different ways, but it should always be present on each certificate if the laboratory is certified.
Is there THC in my CBD oil?
The most common test performed on CBD oil is Cannabinoid testing, also referred to as Potency testing. This test assesses the presence and amount of the most common cannabinoids, including CBD and THC.
Usually you will see results displayed in two formats: a weight-by-weight measurement like milligrams per gram, and a percentage measurement. You can safely expect a product is THC free if this testing shows “0”, “ND”, or “Not Detected” for Delta-9 THC. Beware if a test result shows “NT” in this category. That means “not tested” and should be an immediate red flag.
CBD Isolate products and all reputable broad spectrum cbd products will show that THC is not detected. Most full spectrum products – except those at very low concentrations – will show a value above zero for THC. As long as the percentage value is 0.3 or lower, then you can be confident this is a federally legal product.
Contaminated CBD Products
Other laboratory tests look for contaminants like yeast, mold, bacteria, heavy metals, and pesticides. In the context of drug test results, none of these will have any bearing on causing you to fail a test. However, they are good indicators of quality CBD products. Most manufacturers are able to provide these results for the CBD material used to create your product. This is the best way to create peace of mind for ingesting something safe and healthy.
Buy your CBD directly from a reputable manufacturer
Let’s recap. If you’re wondering something like “will CBD show up on my weed drug test?”, then you’re concerned about buying your CBD oil from the right brand. We’re glad you came across Beyond Botanicals CBD oil! Thankfully, there are some easy ways to identify good CBD brands to make sure that you don’t unknowingly ruin your chances of a negative test.
Ideal qualities in a CBD oil brand
Everybody wants good deals and fast shipping, but with a drug test on the line there’s a lot more than that to think about when you go CBD shopping. With the explosion of interest in the amazing cannabis plant, CBD brands are popping up like weeds (bad pun, we couldn’t help ourselves) and not all of them are as good as the rest. Here are some general traits to look for, as well as some specific to drug testing.
What should I know about my CBD oil if I get drug tested?
- Buy CBD oil that is clearly labeled to be THC-free
- Make sure there are certificates of analysis available for the product you’re buying.
- The product should be traceable to the test results by having a batch or lot number printed on the packaging somewhere.
- The lab doing the testing should be both independent and ISO-17025 certified.
- The manufacturer should have a certification that demonstrates its ability to make quality products consistently and transparently. These can include: GMP compliance, state certifications, Department of Drug Control certifications, and Department of Consumer Protection certifications.
What else indicates a good CBD brand?
- The best CBD oils are made and sold directly to consumers by real manufacturers. Brands that made their CBD in their house or bought it from somewhere else won’t have the manufacturing licenses we mentioned above. Look for transparency in this process to know you’re working with a good CBD product.
- Other countries don’t have standards as strict as USDA does for hemp farming. Make sure your CBD is made using American hemp.
- They’re accessible and helpful. Good brands have websites, phone numbers, and email addresses that you can use to contact them with questions. They’re responsive and helpful.
The Last Word: CBD Drug Tests
To recap, drug tests will not look for CBD, but they will look for the THC present in full spectrum CBD oils. Broad spectrum CBD oils usually have all of the THC removed and are a slightly safer production option. The most reliable choice would be to use a product made from CBD isolate, where the THC has been removed outright.
Reviewing lab results, buying from reputable brands, and choosing the right products for your needs are all good ways to pass a drug test while using CBD products. You can even use CBD-infused topicals to make sure that nothing gets into your bloodstream when you might be drug tested.
Disclaimer: Beyond Botanicals believes it uncommon that one would fail a drug test when using products purchased from this website, but that event is not impossible. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have about our products. If you are subject to drug testing, discussing CBD oil with the testing party prior to using it is the best way to avoid the consequences of a failed drug test.
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