CBD and Drug Tests
September 10, 2021CBD and drug tests are a major concern for employees that want to hold on to their jobs but are concerned about their CBD use. Even if you’re using CBD for pain relief and your doctor recommends it to you, it can be challenging to explain a failed drug test. Knowing the difference between the types of CBD and drug tests that check for the substance can help you better prepare for any potential testing, and bring you peace of mind.
Difference Between CBD Isolate and Full-Spectrum CBD
When you purchase CBD, you’ll notice a few types are sold, and they may have an impact on your overall drug tests. The two main types are:
- Full-spectrum: This form of CBD is an extract, just like its isolate counterpart, but there’s no refining that takes place. Full-spectrum CBD may contain trace amounts of THC, flavonoids, and terpenes, but does not produce any psychoactive effects.
- Isolate: In isolate form, the CBD goes through additional refining that ensures that your CBD only contains CBD without the trace amounts of THC, flavonoids, or terpenes that are found in full-spectrum products.
Depending on why you’re using CBD, you may find that full-spectrum products may work better. Studies show that THC and CBD work better when they’re together, and the terpenes and cannabinoids can also reduce a person’s inflammation further than just CBD alone.
Types of Drug Tests
If you’re taking a traditional drug test, it won’t screen for CBD. However, if you’re using full-spectrum CBD, there’s a chance that the test could come back positive because of the tetrahydrocannabinol that’s in full-spectrum CBD. The legal limit for THC in CBD products is 0.3%, which isn't enough to produce psychoactive effects.
The potential to pick up CBD usage is really tied only to the presence of THC.
And most drug tests will pick up even the slightest trace of THC, including:
- Urine tests, which are the most common in the industry. These tests use antibodies that attach to metabolites found in THC and will result in a positive test if the concentration levels are high enough.
- Saliva tests can also pick up on the presence of THC.
- Gas chromatography is a high-end drug-testing approach that separates compounds in the urine to identify substances in the urine.
- Mass spectroscopy is used along with gas chromatography. When combined, they’re considered the “gold standard” in drug testing and will measure the mass of ions to determine how much THC, in this case, is in a person’s urine.
Since these tests aren’t designed to pick up on CBD, the only real way that you’ll have a positive test is if the CBD is contaminated or contains trace amounts of THC. Even if THC is found, the test will come back negative if it’s below a certain threshold.
Using more sophisticated tests, the lab may conclude that the test was negative if only a very small concentration of THC was found.
CBD and Drug Tests: How to Approach Your Employer About CBD Use
If you use our CBD creams, you shouldn’t have to worry about talking to your employer.
If you decide to talk to your employer, consider doing the following:
- Go to HR and alert them of your CBD use
- Discuss the safety of using CBD
- Explain that even in full-spectrum products, THC is minimal and comes without the euphoric effects. (Especially in topical creams)
You can go the extra mile and ensure the CBD that you use has less than 0.3% THC.
Final Thoughts
CBD and drug tests shouldn’t be a major concern for people using the natural properties of CBD to reduce pain, anxiety, and an array of other conditions. However, if your employer does require drug testing and you are worried about the possibility of a positive test, it would be best to talk to your employer before use.
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