Does CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
As CBD becomes more readily accepted and available, it raises questions about drug screening. Specifically, should users be worried about CBD being detected on a drug test?
Most drug tests screen for the presence of THC, the intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis. THC is responsible for making users high and is still federally illegal. Therefore, it’s the cannabinoid that authorities and employers are most concerned about.
So instead of being worried about CBD showing up on a drug test, users must consider whether THC will be detected. THC may be present in certain CBD products, depending on the formula and type of CBD used.
What Are the Different Types of CBD?
Generally, THC is more likely to be detected in marijuana-derived CBD products rather than hemp-derived CBD. Naturally, the marijuana plant has a much higher THC content, while hemp only contains small amounts of the cannabinoid. For this reason, all of Premium Jane’s CBD formulas are hemp-derived.
Furthermore, the law requires hemp-derived CBD products to contain less than 0.3% THC. Therefore, it’s best to purchase CBD products originating from hemp.
Another consideration to make is whether the product is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or a CBD isolate.
Full-Spectrum
Full-spectrum CBD formulas are those that contain all the compounds found naturally in the cannabis plant. This includes CBD, alongside an array of terpenes, cannabinoids (including THC), and other beneficial compounds.
By law, full-spectrum hemp CBD must not have more than 0.3% THC, while full-spectrum marijuana CBD extracts can feature much more. Therefore, you need to be wary of where the CBD originates from and the THC content.
Broad-Spectrum
Broad-spectrum CBD formulas are similar to full-spectrum extracts, containing a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes. However, filtration processes remove all the THC from broad-spectrum formulas. While trace amounts of THC may be present, it’s not as likely to be detected in a drug test as full-spectrum products, but it can still happen in some cases.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate products consist solely of CBD; they contain no additional cannabis plant compounds. Typically, isolate is derived from hemp plants, which are naturally rich in CBD and contain very low amounts of THC. Then, the extract goes through additional processing to remove any other compounds, leaving behind only CBD. As there is no THC present, CBD isolate formulas shouldn’t show up on drug tests.
How Much THC Needs to be Present to Cause a Positive Drug Test?
Different drug tests have different detection thresholds or “cut-off values.”
Therefore, to pass a drug test, you don’t need zero THC in your system; the amount present must simply be below the detection threshold.
The most commonly used type of drug test is the urine test, for which the amount of THC in your body must be below 50 ng/mL to pass. Blood tests are not nearly as common and are mostly used to detect current impairment since THC leaves the bloodstream quickly. The amount of THC needed to be present to fail a blood test in legal marijuana states is 1, 2, or 5 ng/mL.
Saliva tests are another option, but they’re also not common. And no cut-off limits have been established for saliva testing; however, a detection threshold of 4 ng/mL has been suggested.
As you can see, the type of drug test administered affects how much THC must be present to fail a drug test. However, that is not the only factor to consider. Your frequency of use, the presence of interacting drugs, the route of administration, and your last time of ingestion affect the amount of time that THC remains detectable in your system. These factors play a part in determining whether or not THC will be detected.
Can CBD Turn into THC in the Body?
Currently, there isn’t enough evidence to confirm whether CBD turns into THC in the body or not.
Under acidic conditions, CBD can transform into THC and other cannabinoids. Since the human stomach is acidic, some people believe it’s possible in the body. One 2016 in-vitro study found that imitated gastric fluid can turn CBD into THC.
However, a 2017 review refuted these claims, stating that in-vitro conditions do not accurately mimic conditions in the human stomach.
Therefore, based on current findings, CBD seems unlikely to turn into THC in the body. If THC is detected on a drug test, it’s more likely because there was THC present in the CBD product you consumed.
How to Make Sure that a CBD Product Doesn’t Contain THC
The reason you’re most likely to fail a drug test is due to the THC content, not the CBD itself. Therefore, users must pay careful attention to the CBD products they purchase.
The most common reason you will fail a drug test when using CBD is that the product contains THC. Thus, it’s important to check product labels and lab reports.
First and foremost, check whether the CBD originates from hemp or marijuana. Also, explore whether it’s a full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or a CBD isolate formula.
Also, be wary of cross-contamination of THC and mislabeling of products. Cross-contamination occurs when very small amounts of THC are left behind in the CBD hemp extract and end up in the final product. Also, some unscrupulous brands may mislabel CBD products as “THC-free hemp” when, in fact, it’s marijuana-derived. And marijuana contains THC.
Trustworthy CBD brands have their products tested by an independent laboratory and publish the lab results for customers to view. The lab report should indicate that the product is THC-free. You can view the lab reports for each Premium Jane product under the relevant product description.
Premium Jane is fully committed to transparency and strongly believes that our customers deserve to know exactly what’s in each CBD product.
Final Thoughts
It’s extremely uncommon for drug tests to look for the presence of CBD. Instead, drug tests are designed to detect illicit substances, like THC and steroids. Since many CBD products contain small amounts of THC, it’s possible that using CBD might lead to a positive drug test.
Unfortunately, drug tests cannot differentiate between THC and CBD products. The test will simply indicate the detection of THC. The issue isn’t CBD but if THC is present or not, even in micro amounts. Therefore, it’s very important to choose your CBD product wisely.
Always choose a hemp-derived CBD product since these formulas are required by law to contain minimal amounts of THC. It’s also often best to go with a broad-spectrum or CBD isolate formula since these are THC-free. Be sure, however, to only buy from trustworthy and reputable brands and check lab reports to confirm the THC content.
