DOES CBD OIL SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST? (AND HOW TO PASS)

With most consumers using CBD products, most are worried about undergoing drug tests. CBD oil can show up in a drug test depending on the THC levels, accompaniments, blended elements, and the extraction method.

CBD oil is obtained from various hemp and cannabis plant extracts. Most CBD companies prefer using the CO2 extraction to obtain various hemp elements. The elements used for manufacturing the different types of CBD are terpenes, flavonoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD). Hemp-based products took time to be legalized in the USA due to the presence of THC. This is because it is associated with intoxicating effects. The difference in elements in each CBD product results in the three types of CBD oil; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Although CBD products are legalized in most states in the USA, it is associated with intoxicating effects.

Types of CBD Oil and Which Is Likely to Show In a Drug Test

Full Spectrum

Full-spectrum CBD oil is the most common. It is manufactured using all the elements found in the hemp plant extracts. It comprises flavonoids, terpenes (THC), and CBD. According to Cogan Peter (2020), various elements in full-spectrum CBD oil offer an entourage effect. The entourage effect is the ability of more than one element to work together to offer more health and wellness benefits. However, unlike terpenes and flavonoids, a high intake of CBD and THC results in intoxicating side effects. Most manufacturers try to limit THC levels to 0.3%, per the Food And Drugs Administration (FDA). Although this amount might be insignificant, as stated in the 2018 Farm Bill, its high intake is likely to test positive in a drug test.

Broad Spectrum

Broad-spectrum CBD oil is manufactured using nearly all elements from the hemp plant except THC. Therefore, broad-spectrum CBD oil also provides an entourage effect without THC risks. However, highly concentrated broad-spectrum oil results in THC-related side effects. Also, maintaining low quantities is important to avoid CBD accumulation in the body, avoiding THC-related side effects.

Isolate

Isolate CBD oil is manufactured using pure CBD. Unlike other spectrums, it's void of THC, terpenes, and flavonoids. Therefore, consider using isolate-based CBD oil to avoid being caught up in a drug test since it is void of THC. Also, this formulation is useful to those targeting the health and wellness of CBD only. However, it deprives you of multiple benefits, such as the entourage effect, which would have improved your general health. Notably, although most companies use CO2 extraction to remove all other elements of the hemp plant and retain CBD, doing away with THC is difficult because it is the second most dominant. Therefore, users are cautioned against taking too much. Also, a slight increase in isolate CBD oil concentration leads to THC or CBD-related side effects.

Other Factors Contributing to CBD Oil Showing Up In Drug Tests

Cross Contamination

According to Roberts & Brad (2019), cross-contamination is the exposure of CBD oil to various risks during processing. The risks begin with the extraction method. Although ethanol is effective for large-scale CBD production, it's not the best. It leaves alcohol solvents, with are likely to contaminate CBD oil. Therefore, the best CBD oil is extracted by CO2, which minimizes contamination of the products and the environment. Also, there are various chemicals used in manufacturing CBD oil. Consider CBD oil manufactured with less destructive chemicals. Lastly, cross-contamination is also likely to occur depending on where you are storing it at home. Avoid leaving your CBD oil open or mixing it with other products.

Second-Hand Exposure

It is important to avoid using CBD oil after taking other drugs. According to Hall & Lynskey (2005), using other drugs, such as marijuana, exposes one to positive drug testing. THC in CBD oil escalates other drugs' side effects, resulting in more side effects, likely to show in a drug test.

Mislabeling

Many CBD brands have been noted to be mislabeling their concentration. This exposes CBD users to higher potency levels than they wish. The FDA has been categorical on the mislabeling issues in the USA. It only allows a potency variance of up 10%. This has made it issue warnings to most CBD brands and its customers against their products unless it focuses on accuracy. It is important to access third-party lab results of all your CBD items to avoid such cases.

How to Avoid Testing Positive for a Drug Test After Using CBD Oil

Check on THC Levels

Before using any CBD product, always confirm the THC levels on the labels and reach individual product lab results. Nearly all CBD oil manufacturers have their products labeled with QR codes. Scan the codes using your phone to access individual products third-party testing.

Other Elements

The purity levels of CBD oil is determined by the production method and other elements used. Consider CBD oil products manufactured using C02 since other extraction methods will likely contaminate the end products. Also, avoid ethanol extracted CBD oil if you are going for a drug test. Rasera et al. (2021) suggested that ethanol is likely to escalate the intoxicating effects of CBD oil since it contains alcohol solvents.

Accompaniments

You can successfully avoid testing positive in a drug test by sticking to healthy accompaniments. Alcohol and marijuana-based products such as pre-rolls height the THC levels in the body. In such cases, evading a positive drug test will be difficult. Some of the healthy products used alongside CBD oil are beverages and fresh juice.

Conclusion

Getting “high” by CBD oil is much possible. However, THC might not show in a drug test in some cases. This is because most manufacturers have restricted THC levels to the recommended levels of 0.3%. Blood and urine tests are likely to show the influence of drugs after using THC. To avoid testing positive, take considerable amounts of THC. Also, avoid intoxicating substances such as marijuana and alcohol if you are likely to get exposed to a drug test. However, CBD oil is associated with various health and wellness benefits, including minimizing stress and anxiety, only if used appropriately. Notably, the health benefits are yet to be approved. Lastly, the legality of CBD oil is determined by THC levels and the state you are from.

References

Cogan, P. S. (2020). The ‘Entourage Effect’or ‘Hodge-Podge Hashish’: The Questionable Rebranding, Marketing, And Expectations Of Cannabis Polypharmacy. Expert Review Of Clinical Pharmacology, 13(8), 835-845.

Hall, W. D., & Lynskey, M. (2005). Is Cannabis A Gateway Drug? Testing Hypotheses About The Relationship Between Cannabis Use And The Use Of Other Illicit Drugs. Drug And Alcohol Review, 24(1), 39-48.

Rasera, G. B., Ohara, A., & De Castro, R. J. S. (2021). Innovative And Emerging Applications Of Cannabis In Food And Beverage Products: From An Illicit Drug To A Potential Ingredient For Health Promotion. Trends In Food Science & Technology, 115, 31-41.

Roberts, B. A. (2019). Legalized Cannabis In Colorado Emergency Departments: A Cautionary Review Of Negative Health And Safety Effects. Western Journal Of Emergency Medicine, 20(4), 557.