Will you fail a routine drug test or employee-sponsored drug screening while using CBD products? The short answer is, it’s highly unlikely. But while the odds use of CBD products will make you test negative on a drug test are very scant —it is important to understand that it is still scientifically possible. The long answer is a little more complicated —and lies in understanding what common drug tests search for when they screen patients.

Cannabidiol, more popularly known as “CBD” is a compound found in the cannabis plant, which has gained popularity recently for it's wide rage of  therapeutic properties. 
The 2018 Federal Farm Bill legalized the production and use of CBD across state lines, which has prompted many new users to wonder about whether or not they will pass a routine drug test if they use CBD products. After all, it would be quite unjust to experiment with a new pain relief product only to have it later prevent you an opportunity such as a new job. 

Much like marijuana, CBD can be eaten, drank, or vaped. Unlike marijuana, is not used by proponents to experience a high, but to reduce anxiety, seizures, and a wide range of other health issues. The main difference between CBD and conventional cannabis is that CBD is not a mind-altering substance. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a crystalline compound that is the main active ingredient of the cannabis plant, CBD is not a psycho-active substance —rather, users do get a “high” or “stoned” from its use. There is no amount of CBD that will alter a person’s consciousness.

Because the market for CBD products is so new, regulation on CBD products is wide open. While most CBD products claim to have under 0.3% THC, which is classified as hemp, the products remain so unregulated determining exact THC levels is difficult. The amount of THC is even more difficult to gauge in CBD vaping oil —which, when inhaled, is four times stronger than other CBD products. As of 2018, it’s difficult to know just how much CBD you’re consuming, unless you’re relying on state-certified vendors in a state where cannabis is legal for medical purposes.

Drug screens traditionally only search for THC specifically when trying to determine whether the subject has been using marijuana. No matter how much CBD is present when you submit a drug test, it will not about a failed result for THC if you have not been using THC. According to one analyst, CBD has the potential to trigger a “false positive” on a THC screening if an individual is consuming over 1,000 milligrams of CBD on a daily basis. To bring that amount into perspective, it is is estimated that most high-frequency CBD users consume an average of 140-to-180 milligrams daily. Lots of common, legal products can cause false positives for a variety of substances, not just CBD. 

New research shows that CBD can stay in a person’s system for more than 10 days. In summary, if you have not been using THC, CBD alone will not make you fail a drug test. It is also important to understand that use of CBD does not counteract the presence of THC in CBD users. Contact Altitude today for all your THC and CBD questions. We’re happy to help!