Will CBD Appear on a Drug Test?

The Problem with THC in CBD Products

The majority of drug tests that’ll check positive for cannabis consumption seek out another cannabinoid known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the plant compound that’s associated with psychoactivity – or feeling “high.” While THC is naturally found in both marijuana and hemp, a cannabis plant is only considered hemp if it contains less than 0.3% THC.

However, not everyone who takes CBD with minor levels of THC will lead to a positive drug test result.

Two variables occur when determining this, including:

1. The drug test itself. There have been reports of drug tests claiming false positives of THC for other cannabinoids, including cannabinol (CBN).
2. How much CBD you’re taking. If you take CBD frequently (i.e. daily), you are more at risk of testing positive for cannabis consumption than someone who takes it intermittently. The main reason for this is you’re allowing THC to stay in your system for a longer period of time.

Luckily, some CBD companies understand the concern many of us have when it comes to drug tests. And they’ve made it possible to take CBD without having to worry at all about testing positive for THC.

Know Your Spectrums

All CBD products on the market are developed into one of three spectrums. Each of these spectrums is unique due to its cannabinoid composition and two of them have allowed people to consume CBD without having to worry about THC. The three spectrums include:

• Full-Spectrum – sometimes referred to as “whole plant,” full-spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids extracted from the hemp plant, including THC.
• Broad-Spectrum – similar to full-spectrum, broad-spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids extracted from the hemp plant, except for THC. In other words, the THC is extracted in a laboratory leaving consumers with all of hemp’s other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes.
• CBD Isolate – the purest form of CBD. A CBD isolate is cannabidiol and nothing else.

As you can see, by understanding your spectrums, it’s easy to find CBD products that won’t test positive for THC. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that some studies have found false positives for THC when testing other cannabinoids, such as CBN. With that in mind, if you want to avoid any potential risks, a CBD isolate is the best way to go.

Always Check for a Certificate of Analysis

Still, even when a CBD company advertises its products as CBD isolate, there’s a potential they’re lying to you. How can this be? Unfortunately, the CBD market still isn’t regulated by the Federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Because of this, many shady companies have entered the marketplace and made a quick buck off of uninformed buyers.

However, don’t let this scare you away from CBD. Luckily, there are many reputable companies out there that are transparent about what goes into their CBD products. And they do this through a Certificate of Analysis (CoA).

A CoA is a third-party lab test result that seeks out several aspects of the CBD product, including its purity and whether or not it contains any contaminants, such as heavy metals or pesticides. For the sake of drug tests, one aspect of these lab results you’ll want to keep an eye out for is the cannabinoid and terpene count.

If a CBD product is labeled as an isolate, check to make sure it has a CoA. If it does, make sure that CoA informs you of the cannabinoids found within the product. While CBD isolate products will range in purity – a true CBD isolate will contain over 95% CBD and absolutely no other cannabinoids.

Is Using CBD Worth the Risk?

Since there are ways to avoid failing a drug test screening, there isn’t a large risk in using CBD products. Still, we understand if you’re in a position where you can’t take any risk at all.

If you want to take CBD for its potential health benefits, you should consult your doctor. They will inform you of whether or not CBD will help with your condition. If they conclude that it may, then you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of taking CBD. The best way to do this is by asking yourself the following questions:

• How often do you receive workplace drug testing?
• Will you need to apply for a new job soon that will drug test?
• Do you already have personal (or secondhand) exposure to marijuana?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? *
• Are you on probation and does your parole officer know you take CBD?
• Will a positive drug test affect your worker’s comp if you’re injured on the job?

* Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid CBD and cannabis products altogether. As of this time, there’s not enough research to ensure the safety of these products for women in this category.