Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production and sale of industrial hemp into commercially available goods.

A big win for the cannabis community because hemp is CBD-rich and provides plenty of therapeutic and medicinal value.

The past several years have seen a massive increase in hemp-derived products like vape pens, gummies, capsules, tinctures, skincare, and household products. All of which are available to the general public.

So, does CBD show up on a drug test? This is a valid question to consider, especially for anyone subject to drug testing in the workplace.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana. Hemp naturally contains more CBD than marijuana, and since hemp has significantly fewer regulations, most CBD products originate from a hemp plant. 

CBD is a cannabinoid that works within the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help regulate bodily functions like temperature, mood, appetite, sleep, energy, and memory. CBD is not psychoactive and doesn’t produce the “high” most commonly associated with Delta-9 THC. However, that doesn’t mean that consuming CBD means you are in the clear for passing a drug test. 

CBD products are made in a variety of ways. Typically, the hemp plant is processed into an oil that is used to create vape pens, gummies, and other ingestible forms of CBD. Yet, not all CBD oil is the same.

For example, CBD isolate is exactly what it sounds like: isolated CBD all on its own. There is also broad-spectrum CBD oil, which means that the THC has been removed from the extract but the rest of the plant’s terpenes and cannabinoids remain in some quantity.

Full-spectrum CBD oil is processed to maintain the plant’s integrity as best as possible. This means that all of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes remain intact, providing what is known as the entourage effect. A full-spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC, even though the final product must legally contain less than 0.3% THC. 

Drug tests look for THC metabolites, so if you consume a full-spectrum CBD product, it is possible that you will fail a drug test. Does CBD show up on a drug test? No, because drug tests are not looking for CBD. However, those trace amounts of THC found in some CBD products can trigger a positive test result.

Everyone detoxes at a different pace, and many factors contribute to detox time. Additionally, the type of test influences the possibility of passing or failing. 

The most significant determining factor in whether or not CBD shows up on a drug test is the dosage and frequency of use. If you consume a large amount of full-spectrum CBD products every day, your chances of failing a drug test increase. Someone that eats one CBD edible gummy may not fail a test administered as soon as the next day. 

Weight and overall body composition are important because THC metabolites linger in the body’s fat cells. Therefore, persons with more body fat tend to detox slower than those with less. Additionally, age, hydration, and general health play a role in detox times.

There are several ways to test for drugs, and each has a different window of detection.

• Urine: THC is detectable for up to 30 days after last use.
• Blood: A few hours up to a few days after last use.
• Saliva: 24-72 hours after last use.
• Hair Follicle: Up to 90 days after last use. 

Again, someone using a CBD product that contains small amounts of THC will not build up THC metabolites as quickly as someone using marijuana. Again, these are general guidelines to consider for anyone concerned about the possibility of a drug test.

Whether you’ve been using only CBD products, or a mix of hemp and marijuana products, here’s a few tips for how to pass a drug test.

The most important thing you can do to improve your odds of passing is to stop using any cannabis products right away. No smoking, vaping, eating edibles, or taking tinctures. Even topical use is not advised since active cannabinoids enter the bloodstream through the skin. 

Find out what type of drug test you are taking so you know how much time you have to prepare. A saliva or blood test is easier to beat than urinalysis, and hopefully, your situation doesn’t warrant a hair follicle test.

Other things you can do to support your body’s natural detoxification are drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting your sweat on. Fat-burning exercises stimulate your body to burn fat cells containing THC Metabolites.

CBD is an excellent cannabinoid that offers tons of health benefits, and if it’s working for you, there’s no reason to stop using it.

If taking a natural route to detox is simply not an option, consider a detox cleansing product designed to speed up the detoxification process safely.

If you have a week or only a day’s notice, there is a detox drink or kit that can help you pass the test. To check your progress through the program, test the results with an at-home testing kit so you can show up for your drug test in confidence.