USA marijuana laws have changed significantly over the last few years and it is now legal to use this drug medicinally or recreationally in many US states.
But despite this new legal perspective, and the country’s increasingly relaxed attitudes, you can still lose your job or get kicked out of school if you test positive for THC.
It begs the question, what about CBD? Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is now legal at a federal level, but can you use it freely, and will you test positive after doing so?
Will CBD Appear on a Drug Test?
First things first, CBD on its own will not trigger a positive drug test. Drug tests look for specific substances and precursors, and CBD is not one of them.
Providing you’re only using CBD, you shouldn’t have an issue with regular drug tests.
There are exceptions, though, and it all comes down to what type of CBD you use.
Can A Drug Test Detect Full-Spectrum CBD?
Full-spectrum CBD products are complete extracts, without any of the cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids removed.
As a result, these extracts also contain trace amounts of THC.
THC is fat-soluble, so it can enter the bloodstream for up to a couple of days after ingestion. If you are a chronic user of full-spectrum CBD oil, the THC can build up and you may fail a drug test.
This is possible even after a single-use, providing the drug test is sensitive enough.
Can A Drug Test Detect Broad-Spectrum CBD?
Broad-spectrum CBD contains most of the same compounds as full-spectrum CBD, with the exception of THC.
These products contain non-detectable amounts of THC (also commonly referred to as THC-free), so you can use them without worrying about failing a drug screening.
Broad-spectrum CBD products are also recommended for individuals who are sensitive to THC, as well as those averse to the idea of taking something that contains a psychoactive compound, even though there isn’t enough to trigger any psychoactive effects.
You can also find broad-spectrum CBD products in countries that have adopted more of a hardline approach to legal CBD, including parts of Europe.
The negligible THC levels mean you shouldn’t fail a drug test after using a broad-spectrum product.
Can A Drug Test Detect CBD Isolate?
If workplace drug testing means you can’t take a chance with full-spectrum CBD oils, and you’re not concerned with the additional compounds offered by broad-spectrum CBD, a CBD isolate is the way to go.
CBD isolates, like broad-spectrum CBD extracts, have had all of their THC removed. They have also been stripped of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, thus “isolating” the CBD.
You will not fail a drug test after using a pure CBD isolate.
Will a Drug Test Detect Hemp Flowers?
If you have been smoking, eating, or infusing pure hemp flowers, there is a good chance you will fail a drug test.
As with full-spectrum CBD products, hemp flowers contain a range of naturally occurring compounds, including less than 0.3% THC. These trace amounts might not be enough to trigger a positive test in very small amounts, but will do so after chronic use.
How Long Can Hemp Use Be Detected by Drug Tests?
The length of time that THC remains detectable by drug tests will depend on a number of factors, including the degree of exposure, the type of test being conducted, and physiology.
How Long Does Full Spectrum CBD Stay In Urine?
Urine drug tests are some of the cheapest and most reliable drug tests, and so they are often used as workplace tests.
THC can be detected by a urine drug test between 3 and 30 days after use, with the average time being around 1 week.
You may be able to hasten the rate that THC leaves your body by exercising, drinking more fluids, and eating a healthy and balanced diet. These things won’t force it out of your body from one minute to the next, but it could mean that it remains detectable for a few days instead of a week.
How Long Does Full Spectrum CBD Stay In Blood?
Blood tests are very ineffective for determining whether someone has used THC or not, and it’s unlikely that they will prove effective at detecting trace amounts of THC in CBD users.
Typically, THC will remain detectable for just a few hours. As a result, blood tests are typically only used to detect recent drug use, as opposed to chronic use.
How Long Does Full-Spectrum CBD Stay In Saliva?
Saliva drug testing is used in the same way as blood drug testing, as it helps to detect whether someone has used the drug recently. It can detect THC for up to 72 hours after use, though it’s unlikely to detect CBD use in all but the most extreme cases.
How Long Does Full-Spectrum CBD Stay In Hair?
Hair drug tests are very sensitive and can detect THC use for up to 90 days. They are the most likely to produce a false positive, too, as hair drug tests analyze the oil on the skin after it transfers to the hair. This might show a positive result in individuals who have been in contact with marijuana smokers.
Will Secondhand Marijuana Smoke Trigger a Positive Drug Test Result?
If you have been exposed to secondhand smoke from a high-THC strain, there’s a good chance you will test positive. In extreme conditions, such as a closed environment, you may even feel the effects.
What Should I Do if I Fail a Drug Test Because of CBD?
Prevention is the best cure, so if you’re subject to random drug tests at work or school, stick with a CBD isolate or broad-spectrum, as opposed to a full-spectrum.
If you have already triggered a positive test or suspect that you might, dispute it and ask for another. You can also come clean about your CBD use, as it’s a legal substance and does not hinder your ability to do your job.
