
CBD, or Cannabidoil, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. It has proven itself as a beneficial wellness product with a variety of uses. It can aid with general health, pain, sleep, skin, and more. In addition to this, it is non-psychoactive, meaning that it can provide these benefits without the “high” that users experience from THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).
Although CBD is a natural and non-psychoactive (or non-toxic) supplement, many people wonder if taking it will show up on a drug test.
This post takes a look at CBD in relation to drug testing, explaining what types of substances test administrators look for, what substances actually show up in tests, and if CBD is safe to take if you know you’ll be tested.
First, let’s go over what drug testing is, and why people get drug tested.
What are Drug Tests and Who Gets Tested?
A drug test (or drug screening) analyzes your urine, blood, hair, sweat or saliva to check for the presence of illegal or prescription drugs. The most commonly used drug screening is the urine drug test (UDT).
Drug tests detect past drug use, not actual impairment or intoxication the moment you are taking it. Depending on the type of drug, the amount taken and the frequency of use, signs of a drug may be detectable for a few hours, a few weeks, or more depending on when it has been used.
Drug tests are most typically taken after someone has been offered a job. Depending on the occupation, they can be required during employment as well. Drug and alcohol tests are a pretty common requirement for most employers. Whether you will be tested or not could also depend on the laws in your residing state.
In addition to job candidates and employees, competitive athletes are also known to be tested. Most often they are tested for performance enhancing drugs such as steroids. However, some leagues and professional organizations will check for narcotic use as well.
Drug tests can also be set upon for legal reasons. Weekly or monthly drug tests are common as part of probation or parole requirements. Most often, these are issued for those who have had substance abuse problems in the past.
Common Substances Tested in Drug Tests
Different drug tests screen for different drugs, and administration can vary. In addition to testing for marijuana, drug administrators will check for other substances, such as opioids, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other hard drugs.
If there is an amount of THC in the sample, the test will usually test positive for marijuana. THC is known as the main component found in marijuana, and is responsible for the “high” that people feel when they consume marijuana. These tests focus solely on THC, and are not necessarily looking for the CBD compound.
Because CBD is non-psychoactive and cannot create the “high” that THC does, it is rare that drug administrators are concerned with a person’s consumption of CBD. The most conventional drug test will test for THC in regard to cannabis, not CBD. Furthermore, CBD is legal, so if it does show up on a drug test, it is unlikely that you will penalized, especially if the CBD is being used for medical reasons.
Does CBD Show Up in Drug Tests?
Assuming that the test strictly screens for THC, the following would be true:
- For persons consuming CBD isolate, or CBD products wherein the CBD has been isolated from all other chemical compounds and plant properties, it is impossible for THC to show up on a drug test, because THC does not exist in the product.
- For those consuming full-spectrum CBD products, which are often preferred due to an increased effectiveness (thanks to the Entourage Effect) it is possible, but VERY improbable. Because there are only trace amounts of THC (legally less than 0.3%) found in full-spectrum CBD products, it would take an extremely large dosage to result in a positive drug test for THC.
In order for CBD’s trace amounts of THC to show up in a drug test, the person would had to have consumed between 1000-2000 mg of CBD, which is a ridiculously large amount, and would be the equivalent of consuming several entire bottles of CBD oil. Individuals taking this much CBD usually undergoing serious treatement for conditions such as schizophrenia and epilepsy. In this case, these large doses were probably prescribed by their doctor. For the average person taking CBD for heath, this is an inordinate – and quite expensive – amount to take.
If you are worried that even the slightest amount of THC will cause you to fail a drug test, then your best bet is to select CBD hemp oil products that contain 0 percent of THC. The label will say “THC free” and/or “CBD isolate.”
This product is 100 percent THC-free, and is also the first cannabinoid supplement to hit the market that “meets the rigid drug testing restrictions set forth by the World Anti-Doping Agency.”
Takeaways
- THC will show up on most drug screenings, but CBD is not being tested for in most cases.
- There is a very minimal chance that THC from full-spectrum CBD products will show up on a drug test.
- If you want to be 100 percent sure you will not test positive for marijuana, choose CBD products that are completely THC-free (CBD Isolate).
- CBD is non-psychoactive and will not produce the “high” associated with the consumption of cannabis.
Daintri’s focus is on health and wellness. We curate only the best of the best CBD products to help you live your healthiest life. If there are any questions about products, manufacturing processes or extraction methods, please let us know. We are on a mission to help as many people as possible with the health ailments of CBD.