People everywhere take CBD oil regularly and are better for doing so, you want to try too but are worried about the potential failing of a drug test! We understand, you may have a test coming up for a new job or a random check that could be required at any time for your current job. So now you’re wondering if CBD can show up on a drug test and possibly cause you to fail. The short answer is no, CBD probably wouldn’t show up on a drug test. However, that’s not the entire answer. Read on to learn more about whether or not CBD can show up on a drug test.
THC vs. CBD. What's the Difference?
To begin to understand whether CBD will show up on drug tests, you need to know the subtle difference between THC and CBD. CBD and THC both come from the cannabis plant, a family that include marijuana and hemp. These plants are bred to contain different amounts of THC and CBD. Marijuana contains high amounts of THC, while hemp contains higher amounts of CBD and much less THC. The THC is in the compound in marijuana that produces the cerebral “high” users experience. It’s THC that produces the high, its THC these drug tests are looking for, not CBD. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and does not produce a “high,” so it’s not concerning to folks administering a drug test. You can get a lot deeper into the compounds in cannabis in our blog "The Compounds in Cannabis".
Hempvada's organic hemp-derived products are high in CBD and very low in THC. In fact, all of our hemp products contain less than 0.3 percent THC content in volume per federal regulations. Hemp-derived CBD oils can be sold in all 50 states because of the low levels of THC it contains.
However, some states have legalized medical marijuana, and in those states, it’s possible to sell marijuana-derived CBD. Marijuana-derived CBD can have far more than 0.3 percent THC, especially if it’s marketed as full-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD contains more of the plant compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids, such as THC. Not all manufacturers disclose where their CBD is derived from, so it can be difficult to assess how much THC a product contains. Its best to be careful when shopping for CBD oil products.
It stands to reason that if there’s a large amount of THC in your CBD oil, then it’s possible that it could show up on a drug test. Therefore, you need to thoroughly research your CBD product and determine how long CBD stays in your system. If you’re unsure where the company derives their CBD from, reach out and ask. Also, be sure to discuss the levels of THC present to assess whether it contains less than the federally-accepted 0.3 percent THC.
How Much THC Must Be Present to Show Up on a Drug Test?
Wait, if hemp is fully legal in all 50-states, and the CBD product contains 0.3 percent THC, can you test positive for THC if you take enough of it? Let’s take a look at how much THC must be present to show up on a drug test.
In 2017, the Mayo Clinic established cut-off values in regard to drug testing when it comes to the U.S. federal guidelines, see that here. That means that even though you may have a tiny amount of a substance in your system, it would still indicate a negative drug test if the amount present is under those established thresholds.
Urine Testing
Urine testing for cannabis is probably the most common type of drug test. However, it’s also the least precise. THC is only detectable in your urine for a few days to a few weeks but in some case up to a month. Speculation says you’d have to consume over 1,000mg of CBD oil per day for it to even show up on this test. To meet the U.S. federal guidelines as a positive test, THC must be present at a concentration of 50 nano grams per milliliter or higher. However, different employers may have specific requirements and may test for different cut-off concentrations.
Blood Testing
Blood tests are far less common for THC testing because THC is only detectable in the bloodstream for up to five hours. That’s why blood testing is most often used in cases of drivers suspected of driving under the influence. You’re just as unlikely to fail a blood test as a urine test by using CBD products (and won’t display other signs of impairment), unless you use a CBD product with a high enough THC content.
Saliva Testing
Saliva testing is rare when it comes to drug testing, but THC is detectable in saliva for about 72 hours. No cut-off guidelines have been established for THC concentration in saliva testing.
Hair testing. Testing hair is not common, but it is accurate, as THC is detectable in the hair for up to 90 days. There are currently no established cut-off limits for hair testing.
Can CBD Trigger a Positive Drug Test?
The bottom line is that CBD cannot show up on a drug test. Drug tests look for THC, not CBD. However, if you use CBD products with a high enough THC content, it can trigger a positive drug test. That’s why it’s important to research the company that manufactures any CBD product before purchasing. Be certain that the company you buy from meets federal guidelines and regulations. If you use a hemp-derived product that meets all the current guidelines, then you’ll be in the clear. We would suggest seeking out broad spectrum or CBD isolate based hemp products because they contain non detectable levels of THC even before you consume them!
If you’re looking for a hemp extract that meets all federal guidelines and won’t show up on a drug test, try our ISO CBD Oil. Odorless, flavorless with no detectable THC, made with 100% tested hemp on our Antonito Colorado Hemp Farm.