Marijuana is still federally illegal in the United States, only a handful of states have decriminalized the medical use of it, and still less allow it for recreational use. The odds are, if you live in the U.S. you’re probably working a job that prohibits marijuana use. Even employers in states where marijuana is legal still have the right to drug test employees.
Theoretically, if you don’t consume any marijuana products, you should be good to go on any employer’s drug test. But what about CBD? The rising popularity of CBD in recent years has led to a bit of confusion over drug testing. Will CBD cause you to fail a drug test?
First things first, we need to discuss exactly what CBD is, before we get into the nitty-gritty of how someone who takes CBD might fail a drug test.
Cannabidiol
CBD is one of the more prominent cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Ongoing research suggests CBD may have many potential health benefits, and the use of CBD is federally legal in the United States. Where things start to get a little less clear is where the CBD is sourced from, and how it is formulated into the products you know and love.
CBD and THC both come from plants of the Cannabis genus, but are present in different concentrations. In general, CBD is sourced from hemp that’s been grown to have very low or nonexistent amounts of THC, and THC itself is usually sourced from marijuana. As both plants are quite similar to each other, it is possible to have THC present in some CBD products. Even in states where marijuana is illegal, THC can still show up in CBD products if it is under the legal limit.
Drug testing
Most drug tests are designed to detect THC, the main component of marijuana and the cannabinoid responsible for the associated ‘high’. Most employers choose to test specifically for THC because those tests are widely available, but there are a wider range of tests available. Some drug tests do specifically look for more than THC:
- Opioids
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Barbiturates
- Methamphetamine
- Nicotine
- CBD
Yes, there are tests available that will specifically detect CBD. They’re much less common than the tests designed to catch THC and many employers don’t bother with them. But it is possible that the test you are given will show a positive result for CBD.
Drug testing is most commonly encountered at work, but there are other times people may run into mandatory testing, as well. Professional athletes are often subjected to drug screening on a regular basis in order to be allowed to compete. People on parole may be under drug testing stipulations, as well. And even both health and life insurance companies can, under some circumstances, require drug tests.
Should you stress over your drug test?
Everyone’s circumstances are different. For some people, failing a drug test means a reprimand at work, for others, it means being sent back to prison. It’s up to every individual to decide how crucial it is that they have the absolutely lowest possible chance of failing a drug test. If you want to continue taking CBD and minimize the possibility that you may fail a drug test, consider the following advice.
Temporarily cease use
CBD generally stays in the body up to a week, but there’s no 100% guarantee that it will be fully gone after a week. It largely depends on how much CBD you use, how often, which method you use, and your personal body. Simply put, the more time has passed, the less likely it will be for CBD to be present. This may not be viable for people who use CBD frequently, and it also relies on drug testing being scheduled, not random.
Obtain a medical exemption
If you are taking CBD for an explicitly medical purpose and have discussed CBD use with your doctor, you may be able to get a signed document that explains your situation if a drug test is required of you. However, it will likely still be up to your employer’s discretion if they want to accept such documents.
CBD Isolate and Lab Testing
If drug testing is a concern for you but you’re still intent on purchasing CBD, be sure you purchase those that come with an independent lab-test report detailing their THC content, and which use specifically CBD Isolate. Isolate products generally have much higher purity as they are designed to only contain CBD, which may offer more peace of mind given their likelihood of containing THC is almost zero.
It’s a lot to take in, but if you reduce the amount of CBD to use – or even stop entirely – and stick with CBD Isolate products that have been lab-tested for their purity, you can minimize the risk of THC showing up on a drug test. Keep with brands you trust, and speak to your physician if you do have concerns.