Is CBD Safe for Drug Tests?
CBD products can be beneficial for treating the symptoms of various medical conditions.
CBD’s ability to help relieve symptoms and to keep the user level-headed, unlike the psychoactive compound THC, are significant reasons for its rise in popularity.
To quell readers’ anxiety, most CBD users do not have to worry about testing positive for CBD. Many drug tests do not screen for CBD, as it is widely legal throughout the United States and is considered a supplement in states where it is legal.
However, while federal law maintains that CBD products must contain no more than 0.3% THC to remain legal, certain circumstances could cause CBD users to fail drug tests that detect THC.
Keep reading to learn if CBD is safe for THC-detecting drug tests.
Will CBD Cause a False Positive?
Most drug tests do not screen for CBD, especially in states where the cannabinoid is legal. Reliable CBD products without THC also will not result in a positive drug test for THC.
However, in a press release shared by Banner Health, Steve Dudley, Director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, says, “people can still test positive for cannabis because there could actually be small amounts of THC in these [CBD] products, especially if they’re made from hemp.”
Federal law defines hemp as any part of the cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or less THC, meaning CBD producers and retailers can legally sell CBD products with trace amounts of THC in them.
If an individual consumes CBD products with these trace amounts of THC regularly, the THC could mount to high enough levels in their body to trigger a positive test.
Full-Spectrum CBD Products
There are three main types of CBD products. The most popular among CBD users is full-spectrum, followed by broad-spectrum, then CBD isolate.
Some research suggests that full-spectrum and broad-spectrum may be more effective because they contain other cannabis plant compounds, while CBD isolate is pure CBD.
The difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products is that full-spectrum contains up to 0.3% THC, while broad-spectrum does not typically contain THC, although some products may contain trace amounts.
While full-spectrum CBD may be more popular, it is the most likely to result in a positive drug test. However, CBD users may run into problems with broad-spectrum and even CBD isolate products due to cross-contamination.
While the issue of cross-contamination in CBD products is more prevalent in states where other cannabis products are legal, that still has not stopped other CBD manufacturers from following federal and FDA guidelines.
CBD Product Manufacturers & Transparency
Currently, the FDA has only approved one cannabis-derived product, Epidiolex. This purified CBD medication is only authorized to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy in patients one year of age and older.
The CBD products marketed to the masses are not FDA-approved, much like vitamins and supplements. Like vitamins and supplements, not all CBD product manufacturers are transparent about the type and amounts of ingredients within their products.
This means there are CBD product manufacturers that don’t disclose how much THC (if any) is in their products.
Unfortunately, this makes it difficult for some individuals to find a reliable CBD product that works for them without causing them to consume more THC than they intend to.
For more insight on CBD product labeling, please view the information provided in the 2017 study published in JAMA®, “Labeling Accuracy of Cannabidiol Sold Online,” by Penn Medicine Researcher Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, Ph.D.
It is paramount that CBD users do their research about the different types of CBD and the brands they choose to buy from. These steps could make all the difference when passing a drug test to detect THC.
THC Drug Testing
Not all cannabis drug tests are equal. Some are more sensitive to THC than others. However, most drug tests typically detect THC up to three days after a single use and more than 30 days after heavy use.
THC is fat soluble, meaning the body can store it in its adipose (fatty) tissues for long periods while the THC is slowly released into the bloodstream.
The more regularly an individual uses THC products, the more THC their body’s adipose tissues will store, and the longer the THC will be detectable in their system.
For its article on CBD and drug testing, Forbes Heath interviewed Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., who explained the two main types of drug tests for detecting THC, immunoassay and confirmatory testing.
Immunoassay Testing
Immunoassay drug testing is the most common form of drug testing for THC because it is inexpensive, accessible, and yields fast results. The test only requires a simple urine or blood sample.
These tests do not identify the presence of the actual THC compound. Instead, they look for chemicals resembling the breakdown product of THC by utilizing an antibody directed against the carboxy-THC metabolite.
With this testing method, it is impossible to tell the degree to which an individual is impaired or how much THC the test subject was exposed to. It is also known for providing false negative and positive test results.
Most professionals consider immunoassay testing a presumptive screening test, meaning those requesting the test subject to undergo THC screening should confirm any result with a confirmation drug test.
Confirmatory Testing
For accurate forensic and workplace drug testing, confirmatory testing utilizing mass spectrometry (typically combined with other advanced testing methods) is considered the “gold standard,” as it is the most accurate way to detect THC in a blood or urine sample.
Mass spectrometry detects compounds by their unique chemical structures.
While confirmatory mass spectrometry testing may be more reliable, it is also more expensive and time-consuming than immunoassay testing. A lab requires highly trained staff to complete an accurate analysis, which may take several days to weeks to complete and for test results to be available.
THC Drug Testing Continued
While there are two main types of drug testing methods for detecting THC, the standard level of THC detection in laboratory tests, particularly confirmatory tests, depends on the brand or parent company that controls the production of the various lab tests available for use.
However, it’s common practice that confirmatory tests have significantly lower cut-off levels than immunoassay tests.
Regarding immunoassay testing, particularly those using urine samples, the typical metabolite cut-off level for THC is 20 or 50 ng/ml.
Regardless of what brand of immunoassay test an individual takes, National Drug Screening, INC. considers it best practice for employers to conduct confirmatory testing, particularly one utilizing mass spectrometry for any non-negative immunoassay results.
Nation Drug Screening, INC. backs its recommendation on the knowledge that any FDA-approved instant immunoassay test with non-negative test results is only 97%-98% accurate.
How To Manage THC Consumption via CBD Products
Extensively research any CBD products you intend to use. You can:
- Look for products derived from hemp rather than marijuana, as hemp naturally has minute THC levels (0.3% or lower).
- Determine if the product is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate.
- Favor products with labels clearly stating the amount of CBD in each bottle (e.g., oils or tinctures) or edible (e.g., gummies). Some oils and tinctures will also come with a dropper labeled with benchmarks for different CBD doses. The more dosage information, the better.
- Always look for third-party, lab-tested products.
- Favor products with labels verifying the hemp’s quality used to create the CBD product. Contact the seller if the information is unavailable on the label or online.
Purchase CBD With WellRabbit
CBD can be an excellent supplement to help manage symptoms of various conditions and ailments.
After receiving approval from your doctor to start taking CBD, it’s time to look for the perfect product. It can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re using online retailers.
When shopping with WellRabbit, you can find a CBD product that fits your needs while trusting it you’ll unknowingly consume too much THC or other ingredients you want to avoid.
Our CBD products include:
*All Regimen CBD products are THC-free.
We properly vet all vitamin and supplement sellers on our website to ensure that our customers are purchasing the most effective and safest products.
For customers’ added benefit and peace of mind, we also allow sellers to register their products through our Medical Doctor Research Certified Program. Approved products will receive the MDRC™ badge, reinforcing the high standards we’ve set for our online marketplace.
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