What You Need To Know About CBD and Drug Tests

Despite the fact that cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from cannabis—the same plant that marijuana comes from—CBD should not show up on a drug test. That said, it is possible.

Drug tests check for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) because that is the cannabis compound that makes people feel high. CBD products are typically THC-free but can contain up to 0.3% of THC by law. In some people, that may be enough to yield a positive drug test result.

This article explains why CBD products may show up on a drug test as THC and what to look for in CBD products to prevent a positive drug test.

Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

CBD is not measured in drug tests. Instead, drug tests look for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the element in marijuana that causes a high. CBD oils can have trace amounts of THC even if they're labeled “THC-free.”

What’s the Difference Between CBD and THC?

THC is a psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant that is mind-altering, causing a "high" sensation.

CBD is a compound extracted from the cannabis plant that does not impair you or cause a "high." CBD can be derived from hemp or non-hemp plants. One reason it’s becoming more popular is that it's said to lack THC.

Does CBD Oil Contain THC?

Not all CBD oil products will contain THC, but products can legally contain up to 0.3% THC. For example, low-quality isolates and many full-spectrum tinctures can contain traces of THC. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains other active plant compounds in addition to CBD.

Types of Cannabis

Cannabis is the umbrella term describing hemp and marijuana plants—two different varieties of the Cannabis genus. Both marijuana and hemp can be described as cannabis, but they are two different plants.

The primary difference between hemp and marijuana is that hemp is nearly void of THC.  In fact, hemp is defined as any part of the cannabis plant that contains no more than 0.3% THC.This is why hemp can be legally sold in various products.

There are many distinctions between marijuana and hemp that relate to CBD oil. Marijuana contains both THC (the "high"-inducing element) and CBD. Hemp contains CBD and only trace amounts of THC.

Hemp also contains many cannabinoids—a group of substances found in the cannabis plant. More than 100 cannabinoids have been identified and CBD is one example.

How Much THC Needs to Be Present to Cause a Positive Drug Test?

The active chemical in marijuana that gets detected in a positive drug test screening is THC. If THC is detected in urine at a concentration of 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml), it is a positive test.

Most people are under the impression that CBD oil is THC-free, which is generally true. But not always.

There are several techniques for extracting CBD oil from the cannabis plant. The extraction method determines whether the CBD oil is an "isolate" or a “full-spectrum oil.”

A CBD isolate is a pure compound with no other active compounds or cannabinoids. The full-spectrum products may include other active compounds, such as cannabinol and cannabis terpenes (the part of the plant that gives the plant its aroma).

Reasons for Failing a CBD Drug Test

There are several common reasons a person can test positive for THC after taking CBD.

Using Product With THC

The most common reason for a failed CBD drug test is that a person is using a CBD oil product that contains THC. This may be a full-spectrum product. Sometimes, though, it could be a low-quality isolate product that contains a small amount of THC.

Although most manufacturers claim their products do not contain THC, this is not always the case.

Cross-Contamination of THC

Very small amounts of THC present in the material that CBD is extracted from can get into the CBD oil in high enough amounts to result in a positive drug test. This scenario may be more likely to occur when CBD oil is purchased from cannabis dispensaries in places where cannabis is legal.

Mislabeled Products

CBD oil extracted from hemp is not supposed to contain more than 0.3% THC. However, it’s not uncommon for sellers to mislabel their products as THC-free hemp when, in reality, it’s a low-quality oil extracted from marijuana, which contains THC. 

In fact, one study discovered that almost 70% of the CBD products sold online were mislabeled. This caused "potential serious harm to its consumers.” The reason for this widespread mislabeling is that CBD products are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  

Secondhand Exposure to THC

Inadvertent exposure to marijuana (via secondhand smoke) is unlikely to be enough to cause a positive drug test result, but it is possible. Being in a room with heavy pot smokers for several hours may cause the inhalation of enough THC-containing smoke to result in a positive test result. 

For instance, say that someone who had direct contact with marijuana then touched your hair. You could feasibly receive a false positive on a drug screening that tests your hair.

CBD Oil Breakdown in the Digestive System

Some sources report that in rare cases, false positive test results have come from CBD oil that breaks down into very small amounts of THC in the stomach. Other studies, however, have refuted this finding.

The conclusion is that it's still theoretically possible for traces of THC to be present in stomach acid when “less-purified CBD productions” are ingested.

How to Avoid a Positive CBD Drug Test

If you take CBD oil, you can take steps to try to prevent failing a drug test:

• Do thorough research to ensure the CBD product you're using is pure and that the company is legitimate
• Look for manufacturers that have been accredited by the Better Business Bureau
• Choose manufacturers that use third-party testing for their products
• Ensure that the CBD oil is an isolate product extracted from a viable industrial hemp supply; It should not be a low-quality tincture.
• Ask questions about product processing techniques and the possibility of cross-contamination.
• Avoid secondhand exposure to marijuana use via pot smoking or hair contact from THC users.

Summary

CBD oil is usually marketed as THC-free, but that's not always the case. Full-spectrum CBD oils contain other cannabinoids, which may include THC. Isolate products may be contaminated with THC, as well.

Be proactive and thoroughly research products to avoid failing a drug test if you're taking CBD oil. Most important: Ensure that you're using a pure product made by a reputable company.