CBD and Drug Tests: What to Expect

Let’s answer this question simply. CBD products that are derived from legal hemp, generally speaking, should not cause you to fail a drug test. If you have a drug test coming up and you’re still pretty concerned, maybe skip your CBD for a few days.

Most of the time however, it should be a non-issue. There are a few exceptions regarding CBD and drug tests - so let’s get started and explain some of the different factors involved with answering this question.

The shiny and new CBD industry comes with a lot of perks. First and foremost, CBD is easily accessible because of the 2018 Farm Bill, which effectively legalized hemp at the federal level. This move catapulted the CBD industry into an insane period of growth, and the industry grew 706% from 2018 to 2019. This is a phenomenal rate and really proves how in demand CBD is.

Under the Farm Bill’s terms, only industrial hemp crops are considered legal. Unlike marijuana, hemp crops have less than 0.3% THC. This is why CBD and drug tests shouldn’t be a cause for alarm, because drug tests typically only screen for THC. There are strict laws about “hot” plants, which are plants that test above 0.3% THC, and the federal government orders these plants to be destroyed.

With that being said, many CBD products have trace amounts of THC in them. This is legal under the federal government’s law, but in rare instances it can trigger a false positive drug screening. An easy way to avoid this is to stick to a CBD isolate like Oncali’s CBD oil. This way, there’s no chance for a false positive drug test.

If you’re looking at purchasing a different CBD product, make sure you verify what kind of extract it is. The finished product’s extract is the key to determining if it’s right for you. There’s typically three different extract formulas you’ll see from CBD brands, and we’ll get into them below.

Sometimes, brands will use words like “total” or “whole plant” formula, this typically is similar to full-spectrum extracts and should probably be avoided if you need to pass a drug test.

CBD Isolate Extract

Like we mentioned above, CBD isolates are a great option for people concerned with passing a drug test. Isolate extracts have had all of their cannabinoids stripped and removed from the final product except CBD, there’s no THC at all. In addition to CBD and THC, the hemp plant has over 100 additional cannabinoids including CBG, CBN, and CBC. These are lost during the stripping process as well. CBD isolates are great choices for new CBD users, as well as those who are subject to routine drug tests.

Broad-Spectrum CBD Extract

Broad-spectrum CBD extracts have all of the major and minor cannabinoids except THC. They’re a great option for people who are looking for a little bit more from their CBD product. Broad-spectrum extracts are typically a little more expensive than CBD isolates, simply because the manufacturing process that’s required to create that finished product is a little bit more complicated.

Full-Spectrum CBD Extract

If you are concerned about failing a drug test, this is the extract people recommend you stay away from. Full-spectrum extracts are powerful, they contain all of the major and minor cannabinoids found in the hemp plant - including THC. By law they should be under 0.3% THC, so in theory most cases shouldn’t trigger a positive drug test. However, there are cases where it happens so just avoid this extract if you are concerned.

Is One Extract Better than Another?

There is no one extract that is best for every single person, it’s simply a matter of preference and circumstance. We talked about CBD and drug tests, but there are many reasons someone would prefer an isolate over a broad or full-spectrum CBD extract.

New CBD users may prefer to introduce CBD to their body and routine very slowly. In this case, CBD isolate is the perfect extract for them. It allows you to get used to CBD before flooding your body with a bunch of different cannabinoids. Isolates are also ideal for young children who may need a slow introduction to CBD products.

What happens if I take CBD and fail a drug test?

If you’re certain that you failed your drug test because of your CBD product, the best thing to do is explain to your employer what happened. In many cases, the drug test reports THC levels so low that it’s apparent what it’s from. Simply go over the drug test report with your employer, they may make an exception for you. It may also help to have a note from your primary care physician explaining that you do in fact take CBD as part of your normal routine. Be open to retaking the test after avoiding your CBD product for a few days, too.

Keep in mind, no hemp-derived CBD product will create a psychoactive high. Even though the drug test may show a presence of THC, the legal limit is so low that there is no chance of feeling a high. Some people find that CBD makes them sleepy, so avoid taking it before driving if you don’t know how CBD affects you yet! As always, consult with your physician before introducing CBD into your routine.