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Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?
Key Takeaways
- Full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC, the cannabinoid that triggers positive results on drug tests.
- CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD products shouldn’t show up on a drug test.
- The two above points are consistent across different testing matrixes i.e. urine, saliva, blood, hair, etc.
Table Of Contents
- Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?
- The Types of CBD Explained
- Other Ways CBD May Show Up On A Drug Test
- FAQs About Drug Testing and CBD
Despite the wide use and popularity of cannabidiol (CBD), a lot of confusion about the compound remains. One question we often answer is: Does CBD appear on a drug test?
It’s an important question for a lot of folks who want to use CBD for sleep or pain but who are still subjected to workplace substance screenings. So much so that the Supreme Court will be considering the case of a truck driver who said that he was fired after his CBD showed up on his workplace drug test.
In the rest of this post, we’ll explore the different types of CBD and how a few of said types can and will likely lead to a failed drug test.
Disclaimer: This post is purely informational and should not be considered medical or legal advice.
Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?
Yes and no.
Will CBD the molecule show up on a drug test? No.
But can using certain CBD and hemp products show up on a drug test? Yes, they can. Full-spectrum CBD products can legally contain up to 0.3% THC on a dry-weighted basis. That amount of THC in your product, however small, can trigger a positive drug test. This includes all products that contain hemp-derived THC. Regardless of where it came from, hemp or cannabis, any level of THC can show up on a drug test.
That isn’t the end of it, though. If you want to use CBD but are subject to workplace drug tests, you should still be able to use products made with CBD isolate or labeled as “broad-spectrum.”
The Types of CBD Explained
Let’s explore the different types of CBD and hemp-derived cannabinoids on the market today. Knowing which types to avoid if you’re worried about a drug test can save you a big headache down the road.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Products labeled “full-spectrum” contain trace amounts of THC. When the 2018 Farm Bill was codified into law, the definition of hemp changed to “cannabis containing a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry-weighted basis.”
The above definition was supposed to cover raw hemp flower products, meaning that one gram of hemp flower could conceivably contain 3mg of delta-9 THC before it crossed over into “marijuana” cannabis territory.
There are a few caveats here that need addressing. The bill only mentions delta-9 THC, saying nothing of THCa, delta-9’s acidic precursor. Some farms have used this loophole to produce “THCa Flower.” If you consume “THCa flower,” you will become intoxicated and could fail a drug test.
The second caveat is the fact that we measure hemp products on a “dry-weighted basis,” so while a gram of flower can only contain 3mg of THC, heavier full-spectrum products like oils, gummies, and other edibles can contain much more THC per package.
The third, which we already touched upon in the previous section, is hemp-derived THC. Many manufacturers produce edibles containing delta-9-THC-infused edibles that they’ve extracted from hemp plants. Sunset Lake carries one in our Delta-9 THC Gummies. Delta-9, regardless of its source, will make you fail a drug test.
As a rule of thumb, know that hemp flower, regardless of what it’s marketed as, is always full-spectrum and could make you fail a drug test.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum CBD in that it contains additional cannabinoids and some terpenes. However, broad-spectrum CBD differs because it has had its THC removed.
Making broad-spectrum CBD requires additional processing and specialized equipment, so broad-spectrum products are slightly more expensive than full-spectrum counterparts.
It’s possible to find broad-spectrum CBD oil and broad-spectrum CBD edibles. One such example is Sunset Lake’s Sleep Gummies with CBD and CBN. Because they contain CBN, another cannabinoid, we can call them “broad-spectrum.”
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate, sometimes called “pure CBD,” is just purified and crystalized CBD. It resembles table salt but is easier to infuse into edibles, topicals, and other non-smokable products.
This may go without saying, but you should be fine consuming products made with CBD isolate. They should not trigger a positive result.
How Else Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?
This wouldn’t be a full post without a little more CYA. Even if you stick with CBD isolate and broad-spectrum products, there’s still a chance that you could test positive.
Cross Contamination
During the manufacturing process, there is the potential for product cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is much more likely to occur in facilities that manufacture both CBD and THC products, including delta-8 THC and other THC active ingredients.
Mislabeling
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still wants nothing to do with hemp or CBD. That means that most CBD products aren’t controlled, nor are their labels standardized yet.
Mislabeling and misrepresentation are unfortunately common throughout the hemp industry. A CBD product labeled as THC-free may still contain THC, and it’s unlikely that the buyer will have any method of recourse.
The best way to protect yourself is by asking for and reading the product’s certificate of analysis.
False Positive
False positive results can happen if a person is also taking other medications like:
- Antidepressants
- Decongestants
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen
FAQs About Drug Testing and CBD
Most of the frequently asked questions we field about drug testing are product- or test-specific. We’ve done our best to update this section, but if you don’t see your question answered below, please reach out, and we’ll help you as best we can!
Does CBD Show Up On A ____ Test?
Regardless of whether or not you’re taking a urine drug test, mouth swab, hair follicle, or blood test, the trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum CBD can show up for upwards of a month after use (hair follicle being the exception).
If you have a drug screening on the horizon, switch to products made with broad-spectrum or CBD isolate as soon as you can to give your body time to process and expel any remaining THC.
How Long Does Full Spectrum CBD Stay In Your System?
Full-spectrum CBD can stay in your body for several days after use. However, this estimation is greatly simplified as everyone’s metabolism is different.
If you use CBD frequently, in larger doses, and eat fatty foods, expect full-spectrum CBD to stay in your system longer.
Does CBD Oil Show Up On A Drug Test?
CBD oil made with a full-spectrum hemp extract will show up on your drug test. We make Sunset Lake’s CBD Oil Tinctures with full-spectrum extract because we think it works better than using isolate. That said, if you’re worried about drug testing, you should avoid our CBD oil.
If you find “broad-spectrum” CBD oil or oil made with CBD isolate, it should be fine.
Do CBD Cream Or CBD Topicals Appear On Drug Tests?
It is possible to find full-spectrum CBD topicals, like Sunset Lake’s CBD Salve, that won’t show up on a drug screening. That’s because the active cannabinoids won’t enter your bloodstream via your skin.
Does CBD Vape Juice Show Up On A Drug Test?
It depends on the product. Be sure to look at your product’s certificate of analysis and look for the “total THC” report.
If you’re vaping from a cartridge, it’s possible that your product has had the THC removed. Again, be sure to double-check your certificate of analysis.
Do CBD Gummies Show Up On A Drug Test?
If you’ve made homemade gummies from hemp flower, then yes, there’s a very good chance that they will show up on a drug test.
It is common to find CBD edibles made with CBD isolate, though. Sunset Lake’s Sour Bear CBD Gummies are one such product. Edibles made with CBD isolate will not show up on a drug test.
Can You Be Denied A Job For Using CBD?
Unless your workplace has a specific rule against using CBD products, then you shouldn’t be denied a job for using CBD. Most cannabis-oriented drug screens are for THC, so assuming you’re using broad-spectrum or CBD isolate products, then you should be in the clear.
How To Find Out if Your CBD Shows Up on a Drug Test?
A good way to determine if your CBD will appear on a drug test is by looking at your product’s certificate of analysis.
All CBD vendors and retailers are required to have third-party analysis documents available. You can actually see all of Sunset Lake CBD’s test results here.
The first thing you’ll want to check is the cannabinoid summary— sometimes called the potency report. You should see two numbers, one for “Total THC” and another for “Total CBD.” The latter is good for figuring out your own CBD dosing schedule, but we’re more focused on the former for this piece. Choose products that contain 0.0% total THC.
Note: This post was originally published on February 3, 2021 and updated by the author on August 28, 2024.