With how popular CBD has gotten in recent years, more and more people incorporate the cannabinoid into their daily routines. But, this increased consumption has led to a lot of concern surrounding CBD and drug tests. Specifically, we all want to know: does CBD show up on a drug test?
To help ease your anxieties, Elevate Holistics is taking a close look into CBD, drug testing, and everything in between. Let’s get started.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most dominant cannabinoid in cannabis after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating; it does not cause you to “get high.” Professionals extract federally legal CBD from hemp, and this form only contains trace amounts of THC.
According to the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential… To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
CBD has many health benefits and is used to treat depression, anxiety, opioid addiction, epilepsy, PTSD, pain, diabetic complications, and arthritis symptoms
How Do Cannabis Drug Tests Work?
Typically, cannabis drug tests check your blood, saliva, urine, or hair for the presence of THC metabolites. THC can stay in the body for up to weeks after consumption, but the exact length of time it remains in the body depends on:
- How often you consume: the more you consume, the longer it takes to leave your body.
- How much you consume: the larger the quantity, the longer it stays.
- Your body fat: THC binds to fat, so the more fat you have, the longer it stays.
You may have questions such as; does CBD show up on a urine test? Does CBD show up on a saliva drug test? The possibility of CBD showing up on urine tests or saliva tests is very low; no one tests for CBD.
Does CBD Show up on a Drug Test?
You may ask, what’s the link between CBD and drug tests? The first thing to note is that employers do not run CBD drug tests as it is not known to impair performance; they’re looking for the THC metabolites in your system.
However, you may be wondering, can CBD ruin a drug test? It depends on the source.
Pure CBD should not appear on a drug test. However, most CBD products are classed as supplements, and they are not regulated for safety and purity by the FDA. This means that THC may contaminate your CBD, and you could fail a drug test because of the cannabinoid’s presence.
If your CBD comes from marijuana rather than hemp, it will likely contain enough THC to ruin a drug test. According to the law, CBD derived from hemp should have no more than 0.3% THC. This is a small amount, but frequent consumption can cause THC to accumulate and show up on your drug test.
Also, broad-spectrum CBD is less likely to be contaminated with THC because manufacturers remove all the THC while retaining the cannabinoids and terpenes. By contrast, full-spectrum CBD contains full plant compounds — terpenes, minor cannabinoids, and even trace amounts of THC.
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. Extractors remove everything except the CBD, including other terpenes and cannabinoids. Thus, there’s no risk of ruining a drug test because it contains no THC.
How to Pass a Drug Test With CBD
As we’ve said, CBD is unlikely to make you fail a drug test because employers don’t typically carry out CBD drug tests. However, CBD contaminated with THC can make you fail a drug test; even CBD with THC below 0.3% can ruin drug tests if you consume it often because the THC builds up in your system.
If you have an upcoming test, it’s best to play it safe and avoid taking CBD before the test. You can
• Avoid using CBD products in the days leading up to the test.
• If you are taking a drug test for work, check with your employer to see if they allow CBD products.
• Drink plenty of water in the days before the test.
• Get educated about how long CBD stays in your system.
• Consider abstaining from CBD products for at least a few weeks prior to the test.
• Make sure you understand what type of sample will be tested (urine, saliva, or hair).
• Ask your healthcare provider if any other medications could create a false positive result on your test.
If you’re worried that you may fail a drug test, you can follow the detoxification guidelines we’ve explained here.
CBD is federally legal if it is derived from hemp. Also, it is not psychoactive and does not impair functioning, so employers and law enforcement have no reason to run CBD drug tests.
However, the presence of THC in your CBD can make you fail a test. Ensure to buy your CBD from only trusted buyers and if you have an upcoming drug test, stay away from CBD altogether.
Elevate Has The Answers To Your Questions
The medicinal properties of cannabis are beyond doubt; our job is to bridge the divide between its therapeutic benefits and the end-user. At Elevate Holistics, we believe access should not be a barrier to pursuing nature’s abundant wellness gifts.
Our deep understanding of the maze of regulations surrounding cannabis distinguishes us as the best to help you through it. If you have questions and inquiries or need help getting an MMJ card or finding a licensed dispensary, we can help. Contact us today or book an appointment using the button below.
