You appreciate the value of CBD and have incorporated it as part of your wellness regimen — perhaps to help in sleeping, for stress reduction, or even to relieve pain. But seeing the memo from HR informing that a mandatory drug test is coming up makes you feel so anxious. It does not take long for your brain to identify a question that turns into an obsession – can CBD fail a drug test? It is true and millions of people using CBD are used to it. The response is not clear or simple either way. CBD screenings are not done per se; however, some CBD products contain the infamous THC which means that such products can be toxic and thus banned. The short answer is yes; CBD can be used and in just case gives a positive result on drugs. It occurs due to the fact that almost all products contain THC (the psychoactive element) in varying degrees, the very component that is usually tested in drug tests. There is nothing surprising in what happens and most of all, people need to know how to select products in order to use CBD without having fear of being fired.
Explaining Reasons for a Positive Drug Test Result in the Consumption of CBD Products
Typical drug tests, especially urine tests used mostly in workplaces, do not assess for cannabidiol (CBD). They are programmed specifically to highlight the presence of certain substances that are used in the body, breakdown products of THC, and in this case, that substance is called THC COOH. Upon ingestion of THC, this breakdown product is formed within the body and can be lodged in the body’s fats for a period that may span for days or even weeks.
In view of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD products made from hemp are permitted with respect to the control level provided that the dry weight of the product has not more than 0.3% of THC. Although this amount may be said to be minuscule, it does not equate to zero. However, people that use a lot of CBD daily or those that have a low and slow rate of fat breakdown, end up in a situation where the amount of THC increases and accumulates in their systems. Such deposits may reach levels that are above the cutoff point that causes the system to mark it as a passed drug test. For this reason, and the intricacies around it, there arises such a pertinent issue of can CBD fail a drug test.
The Spectrum Encyclopaedia: Full spectrum, Broad spectrum and Isolate
The most crucial factor that dictates how at risk one can be is the kind of CBD a person uses. CBD extracts, however, fall into three broad categories namely: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. For whoever keeps wondering if can CBD fail a drug test or not, understanding these differences is very essential.
Full spectrum CBD: The Highest risk
Speaking of full spectrum CBD products, they comprise all the given active substances present in cannabis – cannabinoids, terpenes as well as acids known as flavonoids or culinary aromas. In fact, this even includes THC though just in such amounts that do not exceed the limit of 0.3% which is the legal limit. The supporters of the use of full spectrum products believe in this principle popularly referred to as an “entourage effect” implying that the compounds function in a complementary way of achieving advanced benefits. Yet, since it does have THC in it altogether this makes it possibly the most dangerous to attempt, especially in cases of persons already preparing to undertake a drug examination. Constant consumption of full spectrum CBD is the number one reason why individuals who consume CBD are found to test positive for drugs.
Broad Spectrum CBD: A More Risk-Free Approach
Broad spectrum CBD is generally preferred because it strikes the perfect balance. Essentially, it comprises many cannabinoids and terpenes that produce a partial entourage effect, but in this case, the product goes through more processing steps to remove any THC as clear as lab tests can measure. So, for people who do not need THC, yet wish to make use of other compounds found in marijuana, broad spectrum is the wisest option. Although the probability is close to zero, if a product does contain microscopic amounts of it due to synthesis, which is very unlikely as far as broad spectrum products are concerned, this is much less of a passive hazard than full spectrum would be.
Pure CBD: The Surest Choice
Being the most refined form of CBD, CBD isolate boasts of being over 99% pure. This is so because in the extraction process all plant elements such as all cannabinoids, terpenes, and even THC are done away with. What remains after this process is a crystal-like powder which is then blended with a carrier oil. For the patients or the consumers who are concerned with drug tests and looking at all of the options to avoid any possibility of getting a ‘failed’ outcome, it is ideal to go for isolate CBD. To the question, “can CBD fail a drug test”, the use of high-end pure isolates devoid of accelerators is significantly negative in most cases.
| Attribute | Full Spectrum CBD | Broad Spectrum CBD | CBD Isolate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of THC content | 0.3% (up to) | Does not exceed detection limit (ND) | Very low below limits (ND) |
| Some of the other Cannabinoids | Yes (CBD, CBG, CBN…), etc. | Yes (CBD, CBG, CBN…), etc. | No |
| Entourage Produce [Effect] | Complete | Partial | None |
| Drug Test Possibility | Maximum | Minimum | Insignificant/Most Safe |
The Mechanism of the Drug Test: Requirements and Expectations
Tackling the risk with the help of the test procedure would be the perfect option. For most of the jobs out there, the urine sample collected for a drug test has to be processed through a guide from the substance abuse and mental health services department known simply as SAMHSA.
The first stage is known as immunoassay screening. What happens here is a couple of very swift steps with one interesting detail, the test employed antibodies in order to examine the sample for drug by-product molecule type instead of whole drugs. In the case of THC, however, the acceptance level for this screen is 50 ng/dL or less. In the case the sample has more than 50 ng/mL of THC COOH, the specimen is marked as fully ‘positive’.
A positive preliminary test is not always indicative of a mistake. In such cases, the participant’s material is submitted for dual chemical analysis called gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS). This method is highly sensitive and selective and is used for verification of metabolism as well as quantification. GC MS confirmation employs a lower cutoff limit, as low as 15 ng/mL. It is only when your pee sample also turns out positive in this latter test that it is officially declared as a failure in the drug tampering test.
Risk Factors for Positive Result
The possibility of urine drug testing positive can CBD fail a drug test does depend on the product; there are a lot of personal factors to consider. What can be consumed naturally by one person can be dangerous for another.
Dosage and Frequency of the Product
In simple terms, the risk increases the higher the doses of full-sized structured CBD used and the more often one uses it, the more and more THC concentration is accumulated in the body. Even more, someone who is using 100 mg of full spectrum CBD oil daily has higher chances of failing a drug test as opposed to one who is only using it 25 mg twice a week. Steady use over a period of time will cause the level of THC metabolites to be above the testing limit.
Metabolism and Body Fat Percentage
THC is known to be lipophilic, indicating that it attaches itself to fat cells within the body. Also, your levels of adiposity, rate of metabolism, and individual variation in genetics influence how fast THC COOH is metabolized in one’s system. For instance, individuals with more adipose tissues may hold on to the metabolite for extended periods. This is yet another variable that makes it inconclusive as to the exact answer one person can give in response to the question of can CBD fail a drug test.
Mislabelling of Products and Lack of Regulatory Bodies
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in most cases is still not regulating the CBD industry as it should. The fact that there is a “Wild West” situation implies that the various firms manufacture products of different quality and use different labeling styles. Studies have indicated that many of these products sold that contain CBD are not properly labeled. In some products, levels of THC are higher than indicated how they surpass 0.3% which is illegal yet in others the concentration of CBD is lower than indicated. This is the only plausible reason as to why due to taking CBD can CBD fail a drug test.
Tips on Using CBD and Avoiding the Risk of
Do not worry if you consume CBD products and are, by any chance going to be tested for drugs. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself while still enjoying CBD in your system.
- Avoid Any Products Containing THC. If you are in a sport that does tests, the best way not to get a positive score is to use only CBD isolates or broad spectrum CBD products. Such packages are always branded as containing a specific chemical component by ethical and trusted companies.
- Check the Certificate of Analysis: This is indispensable. For a CBD company that is worth its green, expect nothing less than a set of recent and independently conducted laboratory analysis of their products – usually availed through a QR code or on the company’s website. The COA will contain quantification by cannabinoid. Check for any THC levels and be sure they are stated as “ND” (Non Detectable) or “LOD” (Limit of Detection), respectively.
- Purchase from Quality Brands: In an industry where loyalty is nonexistent, the use of reliable terminology in relation to key issues such as sources, extraction methodologies, and even proof of assessments is recommendable. It is much safer risk-wise to go for brands that have a fair record of positive reviews and those which take pride in producing only high quality since overpriced brands and no-brands are both no gamble.
- Do Not Fall for the Trap of Enriching Themselves. Understand that “hemp oil” is different from “CBD oil.” Hemp oil is pressed from seeds only, and it does not contain any amount of cannabinoids like CBD or THC. Though it will not show up ‘smoking weed’ in a controlled environment, it does not offer any of the health gains of CBD intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Could someone who uses CBD oil turn up positive in a drug test?
Yes, it is possible to turn up positive on a drug screen after using CBD oil particularly if it is a full spectrum product which has some levels of THC. Continuous use can result in accumulation of THC in one’s body and cross the detection limits of a drug test. Hence, it is preferable to use a broad spectrum or CBD isolate oil and confirm its level of THC with the help of COA.
Q2: For how long will traces of THC present in CBD products remain in one’s body?
This is dependent upon many factors such as present dose, whether used frequently, and your physical and mental state. Single use of such a high concentration of THC metabolites present in any product can float in the system for only two or three days. But for a habitual user, that can last up to 30+ days. This is why being clean for about a week before the exam may not suffice.
Q3: Can CBD fail a drug test if it is entirely isolate?
There is a very slim chance of this happening. A good CBD isolate is approximately 99% CBD and above implying zero THC content. The only way to even slightly worry is if there is contamination during the process of mass production, hence a well-manufactured brand is recommended and should also be GMP certified.
Q4: Is it possible to fail a drug test due to inhaling some amount of hemp smoke that someone else is smoking?
The concern of failing a drug test due to passive smoking of hemp smokable products is negligible. Research on passive marijuana smoke dictated that when serious exposure is encountered under such a situation, this can’t be implied to be the case here. The levels reasonably embrace the concentration within legal hemp flowers which suggests against testing in this regard.
Q5: How can a person be sure that their CBD product will not lead to a failure in drug test?
To get the most accurate information, you should look for the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the product or batch you have bought. The easiest way to be certain about the trustworthiness of products is to obtain a COA from a reliable third party. In case there is no mention of the Delta 9 THC in the ‘ND’ column, then one can be pretty sure that nothing needs to worry about.
Conclusion
The query “can CBD result in a positive drug test” is compelling and relevant in this age of CBD consumption for health and well-being vis a vis pre-employment drug tests. THC is not the issue, but the problem is the minute amount of full-spectrum products which still contain THC where it may be sufficient to fail the drug test. Nevertheless, the information is still yours to know. Read between the lines – you will understand the modes of CBD consumption better and then review all parameters. It is always best to purchase from companies who thoroughly test and release product analysis reports – impeccably detailed yet understandable. If you are concerned about drug testing, or work in an environment that requires drug testing, you are free to use CBD isolate and broad spectrum to gain the effects of cannabidiol without worrying about the consequences.