Will CBD show up in a drug test?
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Author: Joy Hughes
If I take CBD, will I test positive for marijuana in a drug test?
The short answer is... it’s possible but unlikely for CBD to test positive in a drug test.
As more and more people are using CBD products for the health benefits, some are concerned about the drug testing implications. Will CBD show up in a drug test? Let’s explore this topic in detail.
CBD vs. THC and why it matters
Hemp and marijuana fall in the same classification — they both originate from the Cannabis plant. More specifically, they’re members of the Cannabis Sativa family. However, for those seeking the benefits of the non-psychoactive herb, hemp-derived CBD products are a great option.
There is a huge difference between CBD and THC. While CBD doesn’t contain the psychoactive properties that get you high, THC produces a mind-altering effect. CBD products can be derived from both hemp and marijuana, with the main difference being the amount of THC found in the final product.
When drug tests are issued, the tester is searching for one cannabinoid, THC. Looking specifically for CBD, another cannabinoid, isn’t standard practice. Urinalysis, the most common type of drug test, will check for THC metabolites –– the byproduct made after the body metabolizes a drug into a different substance. Legally, the amount of THC found in hemp-derived CBD must be no more than 0.3%, whereas marijuana contains anywhere from 15% to 40% of THC.3
CBD Regulations
Since CBD is not approved by the FDA, CBD retailers are not required to have their products tested before selling them in the market. Recently, the FDA issued warning letters to a number of CBD vendors. The letters indicated that due to medical claims advertised on CBD vendors’ websites, certain CBD products were misbranded and mislabeled. In addition, the FDA tested a number of these CBD products and what they found was much different than what was advertised on the labels. Some products contained very little to virtually no CBD, while other products showed significantly higher levels of THC. Because of the lack of oversight, CBD consumers could potentially be consuming more THC than they intend to.4
How are CBD products manufactured?
Here are the two most common ways CBD is manufactured.
- Whole plant extraction – A manufacturer will take legal hemp and extract CBD along with a number of other cannabinoids.
- CBD isolate extraction – In this process, manufacturers will take legal hemp and extract the CBD cannabinoid into its isolate form.
“The importance of knowing where you get your CBD products and how they are extracted is an absolute must before purchasing.”
How can I consume CBD without testing positive in a drug test?
Only consume CBD products that originate from CBD Isolate.
Essentially, CBD Isolate is the purest form of CBD, containing 98% to 99% of only CBD, nothing else. It has been extracted and filtered from all other compounds found in the plant and left in its singular form.5 Because of this process, no THC is found in the final product, allowing consumers to take a drug test without testing positive for marijuana / THC.
CBD isolates, also known as CBD crystals, can be used in various products: Edibles, creams, dabs, wax, pills, vapes, and tinctures. It’s also perfect for those who are allergic to the terpenes found in cannabis such as limonene — a colorless but fragrant terpene found in the resin glands of cannabis and the rinds of fruit. Isolating CBD from all other compounds allows users to relish in the benefits of CBD without worrying about testing positive for THC.
How do I know if a CBD company is reputable?
Before you make a CBD purchase, it’s important to research the CBD retailer.
- You’ll want to see if the CBD is sourced from organically grown hemp in the US. Most CBD websites will explain where the CBD is sourced from.
- Find out how their CBD is manufactured. Was the CBD developed from the whole plant or did it originate from CBD isolate? If it’s not listed, you can check their lab report. Some companies have even taken it upon themselves and have the lab reports of their products visible on their websites… definitely a step in the right direction. If it’s not listed, reputable companies should have no problem providing if you request it.
- Lastly, if you’re still wary about a CBD company, you can contact them. Legitimate CBD companies will have a support system ready to help answer your questions.
Will CBD show up in a drug test?
It is unlikely but you can be sure by remembering the following points. Knowing what you are purchasing is must, especially for those that require drug testing on a regular, or random, basis. Keep in mind that all hemp contains THC, but not enough to produce a mind-altering effect. Purchasing CBD products developed from isolate is a great alternative for those seeking the benefits of CBD, as it contains zero THC.
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Good stuff. Im so glad I found this article because I was taking full spectrum CBD and I’m a school bus driver. I will be sure to get Cbd from isolate to avoid drug testing issues