Will CBD Oil Show Positive in a Drug Test?

With the rising popularity of CBD oil there’s an important question that many people don’t ask until it’s too late: will CBD Oil cause you to fail a drug test?

An increasing number of employers are using random drug-screening to ensure that their staff isn’t impaired or taking illicit drugs.

But CBD isn’t a drug… is it? While CBD oil is a legal substance in the majority of US states, that hasn’t prevented it from becoming fodder for some shocking headlines.

With news reports announcing that athletes are failing drug tests because of the use of CBD oil, as was the case with football prospect C.J Harris and the NCAA, making sure that you understand the intricacies of drug testing has never been more important.

Here’s everything you need to know about CBD oil and drug tests.

Is CBD Oil Legal?

Yes. And no.

CBD oil is legal to purchase and consume in all 50 states if it is derived from the hemp plant and grown within the regulations defined in the 2018 Farm Bill. CBD oil from marijuana is not legal.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) considers any products that contain even a marijuana extract to be a Schedule 1 Restricted Substance, or, in their words,  a “drug with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Surprisingly, this is the same category that you’ll find drugs such as heroin and LSD, meaning that marijuana-derived CBD oil is considered even more dangerous than fentanyl, methamphetamines or cocaine which are Schedule II drugs.  

Despite the opposition to CBD oil on a federal level, the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill and research on the potential medical uses and health benefits of CBD have led to legalization in all 50 states, again, if the CBD oil is derived from hemp.

If you live in a state that has not legalized the medicinal or recreational use of marijuana, you will want to check the sourcing for any products that you buy.

Fortunately, all products sold through Green Door CBD are sourced from industrial hemp plants and comply with all legal growing requirements.

Marijuana, CBD Oil, and Drug Tests: What’s the Difference?

Marijuana use is sure to produce a failed drug test, but CBD oil is different. Understanding the distinction between the two is important.

The Cannabis sativa plant comes in two broad subspecies, hemp, and marijuana. Both are rich in cannabinoids, but marijuana has a higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, while the levels found in hemp are much lower. THC is responsible for the intoxicating effects typically associated with marijuana use and is a compound that triggers a failed drug test.

CBD oil, in contrast, is harvested from the hemp plant, and therefore typically has only trace amounts of THC. A thorough, high-quality distillation process removes the majority of any THC that remains in the plant, resulting in an oil that contains less than 0.3% THC. This quantity is too small to flag a positive result when screened.

Why CBD Oil Might Cause a Failed Drug Test

So, if CBD oil contains only trace amounts of THC, surely you can’t fail a drug test?

Unfortunately, that’s not the case every time.

In 2017, Penn Medicine researcher Dr. Marcel Bonn-Miller discussed the results of a study he conducted into the labeling and ingredients of CBD oils. Testing 84 CBD products from 31 different companies, Bonn-Miller analyzed the contents of each one to see how it compared to the label.

42% of products contained higher concentrations of CBD than was indicated on the label, and 26% contained lower concentrations of CBD than was indicated on the label. Of all products analyzed, only 30% had CBD concentrations that were within 10% of what was stated on the label.

But this study found something more, which can have implications for your use of CBD oil and drug test results. Many of the products examined contained higher than labeled amounts of THC. Given that the legal threshold is 0.3%, this is a troubling find.

Whether these higher levels of THC is due to cross-contamination during manufacturing, incorrect labeling, or downright deception, the result is the same -- you may fail a drug test.

One of the biggest issues in the industry at the moment is that it is not completely regulated. At Green Door CBD, we deal with the most respected and trusted brands on the market but when purchasing from another source, it is possible to be misled with regards to THC content.

The Best CBD Oils for Drug Tests

Whether you work in law enforcement, are a competitive athlete or just an Average Joe, the need to pass a drug test shouldn’t preclude you from benefiting from the use of CBD oil.

When it comes to passing a drug test, you will need high-quality CBD oil from a transparent brand or retailer.

Here’s how to choose the best CBD oils if you’re concerned about drug testing:

1. Don’t scrimp on quality.

When comparing products, always opt for a company who produces organic, vegan CBD oil that is free of pesticides and fertilizers. If a business prioritizes the need for high-quality raw materials, they’re much more likely to continue those high standards across their manufacturing processes too.

2. Third party laboratory testing and published results are a must.

To avoid finding out the hard way that your CBD oil contains THC, buy from companies who use a third party to conduct their lab testing. This ensures that there is an unbiased source checking what is in your CBD oil. If there is THC present, it will show up here. Make sure you check that the certificate of analysis is recent too, anything older than 6 months is generally irrelevant. If a brand does not post or publish these certificates of analysis, ask to see them before you make a purchase.

3. If in doubt, choose an isolate.

If you want to further eliminate the risk of failing a drug test, consider using a CBD isolate instead of a full-spectrum oil. More refined and concentrated than full-spectrum CBD oil, CBD isolate undergoes rigorous filtering and is therefore much less likely to yield a positive test result from THC content.

Once again, all of the full-spectrum CBD products here at GreenDoor CBD have met our high standards for quality, purity, and transparency. With us, you can shop with confidence.  Click here to explore our range of vegan-friendly and organic CBD oils.