DOES CBD SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST?

DOES CBD SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST?

Drug tests are meant to check if the person is on any substance use. Read this article to know more about a drug test and why CBD may appear on a drug test.

CBD is gradually taking over the cannabis market as the most popular cannabis element. It is now available online and in brick-and-mortar stores. CBD can directly be purchased as an infused product in gummies, skin care products, and vapes, and non-smokers no longer have to avoid it. In 2018, the US government declared that hemp, extracted from CBD, would no longer be an illegal or controlled substance. The implication of the US law on hemp is that hemp can be sold, used, and grown in the US. As hemp may be illegal in some states, you may be curious about it. You may wonder if it is traced in the drug tests. Read on to find out if CBD can show up in drug tests.

WHAT IS CBD?

CBD is a chemical substance derived from hemp or marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are confused as the same product but are different, although they both belong to the cannabis family. The difference between hemp and marijuana is based on the presence of THC, which also determines whether cannabis will be illegal or legal. In the jurisdictions where cannabis is legal, the amount of THC usually allowed is 0.3% or less. Marijuana is illegal in most nations because it contains high amounts of THC, up to 90%.

WHAT IS A DRUG TEST?

A drug test is done on the body fluids or the hair follicles to determine if the user has consumed an illicit substance. It may be forbidden according to the rules and regulations of a profession or institution.

REASONS WHY CBD MAY SHOW UP IN A DRUG TEST

The drug tests confirm that the person is not intoxicated per national laws or professional rules and regulations—the following reasons why CBD may be traced in a drug test.

METHOD OF CBD USE

The method of CBD use will determine whether the CBD will show up. Methods of CBD use are not the same as some are more effective than others, while some reach the blood and some do not.

LEGALITY OF CBD

Most drug tests do not look for CBD countries where CBD use is legal. However, CBD will be part of a drug test in states where CBD is forbidden. People can still access CBD in places or professions where it is criminalized, and their primary concern will be whether CBD can be traced in the system. In areas where CBD use is illegal, you can face a jail term and a fine if CBD is outlined. CBD is still considered a harmful drug in some nations, so before you travel to a new place with your CBD, you must enlighten yourself about the CBD laws and regulations in that area and be sure to find out the allowed amount too.

THE PRESENCE OF THC

While CBD is legal, the authorities usually check for THC. They may eventually check the CBD level if they want to understand the presence of THC in the person’s system. The following factors will cause the THC to be traced in CBD. The following are the reasons why THC may be present in CBD;

TYPE OF CBD

The type of CBD you use can determine if THC will be spotted. There are three main types of CBD -full spectrum, broad-based spectrum, and full spectrum isolate. Of the three, only the full spectrum CBD contains THC, although a negligible amount, at 0.3%. Stojkovski & K. (2022) advised that if you are about to have a drug test, it is best to avoid CBD with THC.

POOR QUALITY CBD

The CBD market is unregulated and therefore poses a challenge to users who do not know what to look for when buying CBD. While buying CBD, the user may follow the following tips to buy the best CBD;

HOW TTO AVOID POOR QUALITY CBD

The CBD market is unregulated, making it difficult for new users to buy the best CBD.

RESEARCH

Before buying the CBD product, you should research more about CBD, and when you want to purchase the product, you should find out about the following;

FIND THE CERTIFICATE OF AGENCY (COA)

The COA shows the details of the contents in the CBD and is usually available on the company’s website or can be delivered to the user upon request. The availability of the COA hints that the company is transparent, but if it is reluctant to avail yourself of the CBD, it will be best to avoid the CBD as it may contain some contents that the company does not want to disclose.

FIND OUT THE THIRD-PARTY LABORATORY TEST

The third-party laboratory is meant to confirm if the contents of the CBD are as indicated in the COA. When a company allows a third party to test the product, it proves to the user that the company is trustworthy and credible.

SEEK THE DOCTOR’S OPINION

Seeking a doctor’s opinion is vital for the following reasons;

  • The doctor can help you look through the CBD product’s ingredients and additives, including any substance that can cause your CBD to show in a drug test.
  • You can get suggestions on the best places to buy CBD from the doctor.

MISLABELING

Mislabeling is a rare occurrence, but it can happen. Sometimes it occurs deliberately when the company is of ill repute. When the user intends to buy CBD that does not have THC but unknowingly buys CBD that indicates a lack of THC, yet it does have some while testing the THC, the CBD will show up. Evans (2020) stated that mislabeling is common in low-quality CBD oil.

CONTAMINATION

CBD co-exists with THC and can be contaminated during processing. The company can avoid selling contaminated CBD by surrendering the products to a third-party laboratory for testing. Kruse et al. (2020) highlighted the possibility of CBD products being contaminated by THC.

MARIJUANA-DERIVED CBD

Marijuana-derived CBD has high levels of THC and will therefore show the presence of THC during a drug test. In countries where marijuana is allowed, drug tests will neither check for CBD nor THC. Anil et al. (2021) stated that marijuana-derived CBD has high THC content.

CONCLUSION

A drug test is carried out when the authorities want to know if you are a controlled substance. CBD can appear in a blood test, but during a blood test, the drug being sought could be THC but not CBD, especially in a location where CBD is legal. However, if CBD is illegal, you will be prosecuted, fined, and even jailed if found in your system. The reasons why CBD may show in the drug test include the method of CBD use, the legality of CBD, the presence of THC, and poor quality CBD. Before using CBD, users must familiarize themselves with the local rules, laws, and regulations.

REFERENCES

Anil, S. M., Shalev, N., Vinayaka, A. C., Nadarajan, S., Namdar, D., Belausov, E., … & Koltai, H. (2021). Cannabis Compounds Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory Activity In Vitro In COVID-19-Related Inflammation In Lung Epithelial Cells And Pro-Inflammatory Activity In Macrophages. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-14.

Evans, D. G. (2020). Medical Fraud, Mislabeling, Contamination: All Common In CBD Products. Missouri Medicine, 117(5), 394.

Kruse, D., & Beitzke, B. (2020). Comment On Lachenmeier Et Al (2020) “Are Side Effects Of Cannabidiol (CBD) Products Caused By Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Contamination?”: Disputation On Various Points In The Publication. F1000Research, 9.

Stojkovski, K. (2022). The Best CBD For Arthritis 2022: 7 CBD Oils And Topicals For Joint Pain. ORDER, 7, 00.

Elena Ognivtseva
Latest posts by Elena Ognivtseva (see all)

Nutritionist, Cornell University, MS

I believe that nutrition science is a wonderful helper both for the preventive improvement of health and adjunctive therapy in treatment. My goal is to help people improve their health and well-being without torturing themselves with unnecessary dietary restrictions. I am a supporter of a healthy lifestyle – I play sports, cycle, and swim in the lake all year round. With my work, I have been featured in Vice, Country Living, Harrods magazine, Daily Telegraph, Grazia, Women's Health, and other media outlets.

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