The risk of a CBD drug test failure is a concern for potential CBD users who are interested in regular use. You’re not alone in being concerned that this cannabis-derived product may have some unintended consequences. Hard workers around the world are wondering: Does CBD show up on a drug test and how long is it detectable?
The short answer to this question is no, CBD alone will not show up on a drug test. The longer answer, however, starts below.
Does CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
Now you’ve already heard that taking CBD oil alone won’t cause you to have a CBD drug test fail. Before breathing a sigh of relief, it’s essential to know all the facts. If not careful, a few unlucky individuals can fail a drug test by taking CBD.
Though the legality of CBD oil in the United States is up for debate on a state level, the compound can now be easily purchased online and shipped around the country. Since it’s easy to buy CBD oil online whether or not CBD is detectable in drug tests or urine samples is a hot topic.
Before getting too deep into the topic of testing positive due to a CBD drug test fail, let’s start with the basics of what CBD is, and what it isn’t.
What is CBD? Will it Get You High?
There are over 113 known cannabinoids that exist in cannabis. Of these, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the most popular. What is a cannabinoid? Cannabinoids are a plant version of natural endocannabinoid compounds found in your body. You may discover cannabinoids in hemp and, in trace amounts, chia seeds, walnuts, sardines, anchovies, eggs and more.
THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana, but studies about CBD hemp extracts have shown that isolated CBD will NOT get you high. Whenever you hear people talking about failing a drug test due to CBD, they’re most likely talking THC vs. a CBD drug test failure.
The reason for this is that hemp naturally contains only trace amounts of THC (the compound searched for in drug tests), under 0.3%. Hemp is an excellent source for CBD extracts while avoiding high levels of THC.
CBD oil is everywhere. The primary source of CBD oil is from hemp. You can find it in sublingual drops, vape oil, gummies, honey sticks, body rubs, dermal patches, and many other products. You can even smoke hemp joints and CBD flower!
CBD oil is available online and in stores all over the country. Be careful of where you buy CBD oil from, however, as (at the time of this writing) laws are loosely defined and little enforcement is taking place. You don’t want to be the unlucky one who buys it on a trip to Las Vegas and gets arrested by TSA in Dallas. If you’re concerned about your CBD, you should do some further research. Learn what CBD oil is and the differences between hemp-derived CBD vs cannabis-derived CBD
How CBD Works in the Body
Many products are gaining popularity for their CBD health benefits, especially for pain, inflammation, anxiety, and seizures. CBD oil can produce these effects because it acts on the endocannabinoid system.
The human body has natural endocannabinoids that regulate body functions like inflammation and sensing pain or anxiety. Sometimes a person doesn’t produce enough endocannabinoids naturally. Cannabis is rich in cannabinoids. Therefore, cannabis derivatives like CBD can help make up for natural endocannabinoid deficits endocannabinoid function.
Everyone’s body is different, so how long CBD is detectable may vary. However, the fear of a CBD drug test fail should be the last thing on your mind when finding legitimate relief.
Top 5 Questions About CBD and Drug Testing
With so much attention on the benefits of CBD oil products, people are wondering if CBD poses the same risk of a drug test failure as marijuana does. Many hard-working people are looking for natural symptom relief but do not want to risk a failed drug test because of CBD.
Here are the top five concerns consumers have when it comes to knowing how to take CBD:
- Can you fail a drug test due to CBD oil use?
- How long does CBD oil last in your system?
- How long is CBD detectable in urine?
- Has anyone tested positive for CBD oil?
- Is there a drug test that could detect CBD?
Can you fail a drug test due to CBD oil use?
Many employers require drug tests that screen for cannabis use. These tests look for the presence of THC or THC metabolites. While not utilized in employment drug screenings, there are ways to detect CBD levels. However, we doubt employers will make a fuss of this due to CBD lacking psychoactive effects that would affect job function.
Hemp does contain low levels of THC (<0.3%). So while THC can be present in CBD hemp oil and cause a “CBD drug test fail,” the occurrence of testing positive is infrequent. Your body stores THC in its fat cells, and with the right combination of poor diet and chronic use, that small amount may accumulate in the body over time. So if there’s a little THC in CBD oil, can you fail a drug test due to CBD oil use? Yes.
Daily use of more than 1000mg CBD hemp oil products could result in a positive drug test result. Because rigid testing standards for hemp-derived CBD oil don’t yet exist, they may contain more THC than they should. Always review the CBD oil third-party lab results (also known as COA’s or certificates of analysis) of the CBD oil you’re currently using. Another option is to switch suppliers to one that readily provides these types of lab test results.
The best CBD oil sellers will test their end product to make sure it contains less than 0.3% THC. The purer the oil, the less chance of a failing a CBD drug test. Legitimate companies make their test results available on their websites as we have. You should look for these COAs to ensure the levels of THC in the CBD products you consume are safe.
How long does CBD oil last in your system?
The half-life of CBD has been reported to be up to 5 days and at least 24 to 48 hours. A study of patients consuming about 700mg per day showed that CBD was virtually undetectable after just one week.
If testing positive for THC from a CBD product is a concern, be aware of how long it will be detectable in the body for:
- Blood- Detectable between 3 and 30 days
- Urine- Detectable between 2 and 100 days
- Saliva- Detectable between 12 and 24 hours
- Hair- Most hair drug tests detect the last 90 days
How long is CBD detectable in urine?
Even a moderate to a large daily dose of CBD, like 10-100mg per day, should be cleared from the urine within a couple of weeks.
Has anyone tested positive for CBD oil?
There are claims from individuals citing CBD as the reason for drug test failure. While it is important to be aware of this risk, it is unlikely for failed drug tests because of CBD. That said, it is physiologically possible to encounter a positive drug test result when taking CBD oil that also contains THC. So how can you fail a drug test due to CBD?
A 2001 study looked at daily THC doses from hemp oils ranging from 0.09mg to 0.6mg THC to find out if the participants could pass drug tests. Of fourteen participants, only one, who was taking the highest dose, screened positive at the 50ng/ml cutoff.
A THC intake of 0.6mg per day is equivalent to 125 ml of hemp oil containing 5µg/g of THC or 300g of hulled hemp seeds at 2µg/g THC. 125ml of hemp oil is a large amount, and it would be costly to maintain these types of levels!
Many CBD users report significant relief of symptoms with low daily CBD dosage of just 10mg to 25mg. Part of why testing positive on a drug test after using CBD oil is unlikely is that there is infrequent need to use substantial doses of CBD. Those who need strong doses are likely battling a chronic or end-of-life problem, and most need not worry about the passing of a drug test anyway.
Is there a drug test that could detect CBD?
A CBD drug test is not a standard test, and employers would be quite strict to test employees or job candidates for CBD. To do so, an employer would have to have a perfect reason to pay for this type of additional testing.
CBD drug tests do exist but are not as simple as a hair or urine drug test, making them very expensive. The general public still needs education on what CBD is. Most employers don’t yet realize that CBD does not get people high and therefore, will not impact job safety or function. Once this is understood, employers typically realize that it doesn’t make sense to test for CBD.
If an employee did fail a test for CBD and lose their job, they may be able to dispute this type of termination of employment as being wrongful.
Methods of Drug Testing in the Workplace
The most common cannabis drug test is a urinalysis, which is also known as a piss test. These types of checks involve screening for leftover drug metabolites and not a particular substance itself. In the case of THC, these drug tests seek out abnormal levels of a metabolite called THC-COOH. Blood tests, saliva tests, and hair tests also check for the same metabolite.
Many employers follow specific drug testing guidelines, such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These guidelines have a set cutoff level for a positive test result.
For a CBD drug test fail to be accurate, it must have also contained detectable levels of THC. THC levels at or above 50ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) are considered a positive drug test for cannabis. When a test is positive, it then gets screened again with a confirmatory analysis.
Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry are examples of two common confirmatory tests. These tests are built to specifically detect for THC metabolites and have a positive cutoff level of 15ng/ml.
Hair can keep a pharmacological record of what a person has consumed throughout their life. Most hair drug tests will only look at the last inch-and-a-half of hair, closest to the scalp. This newer hair growth represents about 90 days of information. That means it can take up to 3 months to have “clean” hair growth.
The 3 Drug Test Cheats Employees Use
Companies test for drug use for many valid reasons. Some individuals use and misuse substances, and some of them are struggling with substance abuse disorders while employed. If you’ve been consuming a large amount of CBD products, then you should check their third-party lab tests. If the lab results show traces of THC, then you might want to pay attention. Extra precautions others have taken against a CBD drug test failure have yielded desirable results. Remember, traces of THC are present in hemp-derived full-spectrum CBD and CBD flower (especially flower from a dispensary).
In 2013, there were 22.4 million people age 18 and older who were illicit drug users, 68.9% held a part-time or full-time job. Cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine use is undeniably present in the workforce, and screening helps employers maintain a safe and productive work environment.
Workplace drug abuse can reduce morale, damage a company’s reputation, lower productivity, and cut into company profits. If you’re wondering “how long is CBD detectable for” then your primary concern should be your CBD contains THC.
While blood, hair, and saliva tests are available, most companies will shode urinalysis drug testing. The common five-panel urine test looks for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and amphetamines. Employers may also test for alcohol, MDMA (ecstasy), barbiturates, propoxyphene, and benzodiazepines.
Here are three ways employees attempt to cheat drug tests:
Diluting Urine Samples
Drinking a large amount of fluid right before a drug test may seem like an excellent way to trick a urinalysis drug test. Labs can detect when samples are too diluted. Diluted tests may test positive or give an invalid result. If this occurs, the test will likely be re-administered.
When collecting the sample, these labs will also take steps to make sure water from the faucet or toilet isn’t used to dilute the sample.
Using Urine Substitutes
Some people will try to pass a CBD drug test using synthetic urine or urine from another person or animal. The main challenge of trying to cheat a urine drug test with this method is that these tests are sensitive to temperature.
You must keep substitute urine at a temperature similar to natural urine to avoid detection. Many labs can also detect synthetic urine and animal urine, which often lead to invalid results. Likewise, adultering urine with substances like cleaning products can be detected.
Marijuana Detox Kits
Use home remedies and detox kits to clear drugs from your system before taking a drug test. Many of these remedies and kits are ineffective and worse. Some can leave residues that will flag samples as containing a detectable amount of THC by the laboratory.
The best way to prepare for a drug test is to abstain from cannabis use for two to three months. For CBD oil users who have been consuming hot or tainted products, the wait may be much shorter. Using an at-home drug test to screen for THC will ensure that your drug test is unlikely to have surprising results.
Concerned About a CBD Drug Test Fail?
If you are concerned that your CBD supplement will cause you to fail a drug test, be extra cautious in choosing a brand. Many CBD oil companies post their third-party lab results for each batch on their website (like we do). Publicly posting these certificates of analysis allows consumers to verify that the CBD oil they’re consuming doesn’t have detectable amounts of THC.
Products with CBD oil from hemp are improbable to have a positive result for a drug test. In the rare case, this does happen, explaining the situation to your employer can go a long way. Often employers will allow employees to take another test to give them a second chance. Providing your employer with information about the CBD supplement you are taking can help them understand that you are not a drug user. You would be surprised at the number of employers that will turn their head the other way if are taking CBD for pain or other ailments.
References
- Consroe, P., Kennedy, K., & Schram, K. (1991). Assay of plasma cannabidiol by capillary gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectroscopy following high-dose repeated daily oral administration in humans. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 40(3), 517-522. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1666917
- Leson, G., Pless, P., Grotenhermen, F., Kalant, H., & ElSohly, M. A. (2001). Evaluating the impact of hemp food consumption on workplace drug tests. Journal of analytical toxicology, 25(8), 691-698. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11765026
