From anxious fur babies to our favorite influencers on Instagram, it seems like everyone we know is using CBD these days. But for many (many) people, the allure of CBD goes way beyond the pretty bottles of silky liquid that everyone-and-their-mother is ingesting these days.
One question that we get a lot is, “Does CBD show up on a drug test?”
This is a totally valid concern. Many people are well aware that CBD oil is extracted from hemp plants, but it’s pretty unclear how exactly this cannabis derivative could affect drug test results. Today, we’re talking about drug tests and full spectrum CBD oil.
If you’re about to apply for the job of your dreams, here are some things you may want to know.
Does CBD Affect Drug Test Results?
Even though legalization of recreational cannabis is happening (slowly) country-wide, there’s still a grey-area when it comes to drug testing and CBD. For starters, there’s a chance that you could legally consume a CBD product, and later test positive for THC on a drug test. Not common, but not impossible...
Why?
Here’s the deal: the best, most effective CBD tinctures, are what the industry calls full-spectrum. This means that there are small amounts of other cannabinoids present in your Rosebud CBD tincture. Cannabinoids- like CBD, CBG and THC- are “synergistic” which basically means that they do their jobs better when there are other kinds present.
Think about it like this: You’re baking a cake and have collected all the ingredients. If you exclude (isolate) a few of these ingredients, you’ll still *probably* end up with a cake-like substance, but your cake won’t be nearly as delicious as it would have been if you had used all the ingredients.
In the cannabis space, we call this the entourage effect.
Based on the results of a 2015 study- thanks to these cannabinoids- full spectrum CBD offers significantly higher levels of relief compared to CBD isolate. So... yes: there is a teeny, tiny (but very legal) amount of THC in full spectrum CBD oil. And yes: even though it’s unlikely, it’s very possible you could fail a drug test after taking CBD.
You might be thinking, “Where does this leave me if my employer does routine drug tests but I still want to take CBD?!” Below we’re sharing a few important notes about CBD and drug tests.
What to Know About CBD and Drug Testing
When it comes to drug testing, there are a few different types.
Hair tests are used to detect habitual substance use. With this kind of test, it’s highly likely that you’ll pass a drug test, even if you ARE consuming full spectrum CBD. Unless you’re consuming other types of cannabis, chances are you’re in the clear.
Urine and oral drug tests are more popular, but have a slightly lower threshold for detection- which means that there is a higher chance of picking up tiny amounts of lingering THC. But even though there is a small chance that these low amounts of THC could accumulate over time, it's still highly unlikely that there is enough to trigger a false positive.
Actually, according to Herb.co, you’d need to take about 1,500-2,000 mg of CBD in one day for a drug test to pick it up. To put this into perspective, you’d have to literally down two full bottles of Rosebud’s strongest CBD oil- which is not recommended at all- to come up with a positive drug test.
The good news is, in a number of states that are legalizing cannabis, employers are actually not requiring drug tests for applicants and employees. However, it's still up to individual employers to determine what they will and will not tolerate in the workplace.
What Does All This Mean?
So you love CBD, but also love your job, and you’re not sure where your company stands on the matter. This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to give up your beloved CBD chocolate or tinctures!
First, talk to your employer. Tell them that you’d like to take full-spectrum CBD and explain that it’s not for recreational use. Most people are aware of the benefits of CBD, and chances are there is protocol in place for this situation. We’ve found that most employers are actually very understanding when it comes to this specific topic.
(Like, what boss wouldn’t want a happier work environment, anyway??)
Second- if you decided to go for it anyway, and your drug test ends up positive, you should be able to explain this to your employer- especially if the only cannabis product you’ve consumed was CBD.
Then, it would be up to them to decide what to do. Like we mentioned above, with the increased popularity of this wellness product, this conversation is very common. If you have a false positive, you can explain the reasoning behind this, and request a second test. Most employers are happy to oblige.
Before You Go
We’re not lawyers, so our final piece of advice is this: it is best to use utmost caution and do your own research when you’re taking CBD.
It’s extremely unlikely that your CBD will cause you to test positive for THC, but if you talk to your employer ahead of time you can avoid any complications down the road.
Also, since it’s kind of like the Wild West out there, it’s vital that any company you’re getting your CBD from provides transparent third party test results. This will show you exactly what’s in your bottle of CBD and will provide some clear insight on what you’re putting into your body.
If you’re interested in learning more about what CBD can do for you, check out some of our recent articles, and make sure to follow along on Instagram to stay up-to-date on all things CBD!
FDA DISCLOSURE Representations regarding the efficacy and safety of Rosebud CBD have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA only evaluates foods and drugs, not supplements like these products. These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease. Click HERE and HERE to find evidence of a test, analysis, research, or study describing the benefits, performance or efficacy of CBD Oil based on the expertise of relevant professionals. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always check with your physician before starting a new dietary supplement program. The Cannabidiol (CBD) in Rosebud CBD is a natural constituent of industrial hemp plant and grown in the United States of America. Rosebud CBD does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US CSA). All products contain less than 0.3% THC. All products are legal in all 50 states.