Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
The CBD industry is booming—from luscious CBD gummies dominating your IG feed to CBD oil appearing in your S.O.’s medicine chest, cannabidiol products have gone well beyond the “it” commodity: They’ve entered the realm of must-haves and are expected to reach the $16 billion mark by 2025.1
Despite CBD’s escalating popularity, dozens of questions surround the plant and the products that contain it, including will CBD show on a drug test? And, perhaps more importantly, can CBD make you fail a drug test?
Let’s explore.
What is CBD?
While both CBD and THC come from the marijuana or hemp plant, there are key differences between the two cannabinoids:
- CBD – Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound derived from cannabis sativa—a cannabis plant whose therapeutic applications date as far back as 750 B.C.2 Linked to easing feelings of nervousness and restful sleep, it has the potential to provide a host of benefits by conversing with your body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s also been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties—and all without the intoxicating effects of its cousin, THC.3 In short, it may offer a calming experience.
- THC – THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, derives from the cannabis sativa plant too and serves as the active constituent in marijuana. Unlike CBD, THC falls under the DEA’s classification of a Substance 1 psychoactive drug and causes intoxication, from an altered mood to an uptick in Pinkberry purchases (aka, the munchies).
You may be asking, how does hemp fit in with all of this?
Good question.
Simply put, hemp is cannabis that contains 0.3% or less of the plant’s psychoactive ingredient, THC. Widely grown and used in everything from home insulation to milk, hemp is considered “conditionally legal,” meaning it’s federally acceptable in most states.4
That said, CBD is traditionally derived from hemp. Accordingly, CBD use is only legal at the federal level if it is hemp derived CBD. However, keep in mind that the state you live in has the final say on the legality of CBD.
Can You Fail a Drug Test From CBD?
Does CBD show up on a drug test? Whether it’s an immunoassay test—typically, a urine test—or a confirmatory test that utilizes mass spectrometry, drug tests screen for THC, not CBD. Drug testing for CBD would be tantamount to assessing for the presence of, say, St. John’s Wort, or biotin. In other words, CBD is considered to be in the same classification as supplements.
That said, a drug screening does test for THC, and there is a small chance that you may receive a false positive drug test for THC if the product contains more than the legal amount.5
Why Might CBD Result in a Positive Test Result for THC?
There are three types of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. Let’s explore each in-depth:
- Broad-spectrum CBD – Broad-spectrum CBD products undergo several processes to omit THC from the final product, but there’s no guarantee that all traces of THC are removed during the extraction process. Using broad-spectrum CBD with trace amounts of THC may cause a buildup of THC in your body, which can lead to a positive drug test.
- Full-spectrum CBD – Full-spectrum CBD products include THC, although no more than 0.03%. This, too, can have a cumulative effect that could alter the results of your drug testing.
- CBD isolates – CBD isolate refers to the pure extract derived from CBD, which does not contain THC. However, “pure CBD” is not always synonymous with THC-free, in part because of the lack of regulation surrounding a CBD isolate product.
Most CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD products are THC-free, while full-spectrum CBD may contain trace amounts of the cannabinoid. However, there may be a THC level over the legal amount if the manufacturer does not follow regulations, which may result in a positive drug test.
How to Ensure Your CBD Product is THC-Free
In addition to only using a broad-spectrum CBD or a CBD isolate product, there are several precautions you can take when shopping for any CBD to ensure it’s THC-free.
- Always check the label to ensure that the CBD product is derived from hemp, rather than marijuana, the plant
- Opt for a reputable brand that undergoes third-party testin
- Ensure that the brand has a Certification of Analysis (COA) to ensure the label is accurate in relation to not having any THC level present in the product
And if you were wondering, does CBD work without THC, the short answer is yes. Read more on the effects of CBD without THC in our recent blog article.
Find Peace of Mind With Peels
If your CBD product follows federal regulations, it’s unlikely that you’ll test positive for THC on a drug screening. That said, if you’re looking for CBD products that mitigates any chance of THC content, opt for an alternative—like Peels CBD.
Our award-winning CBD products, which include gummies, oils, and immunity shots, utilize a bio-identical CBD molecule extracted from citrus peels to help you feel your best without the inclusion of either hemp or THC. They’re also non-GMO, certified pesticide-free, and beautifully packaged for the utmost self-care experience.
Harness your wellness—and put the fear of drug tests behind you—by checking out our collection of products today.
Sources:
- The New York Times. What are the benefits of CBD? https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/style/self-care/cbd-oil-benefits.html
- Vegetation History and Archaebotany. Cannabis in Asia: its center of origin and early cultivation, based on a synthesis of subfossil pollen and archaeobotanical studies. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00334-019-00731-8
- The Permanente Journal. Cannabiodol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
- FDA. Hemp production and the 2018 farm bill. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
- Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Urinary pharmacokinetic profile of cannabinoids following administration of vaporized and oral cannabidiol and vaporized CBD-dominant cannabis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31682266/