Gearfuse Technology, Science, Culture & More
Many people have turned to CBD, also known as cannabidiol, as a way to get the relief they want without having to worry about the risks associated with over-the-counter or prescription medications. CBD has also become so popular because it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects, unlike other cannabinoids.
Are you a regular CBD user that has recently failed a drug test? Worried that it was the CBD that caused you to fail? Here’s what you need to know about CBD products and drug testing, and how you can better protect yourself in the future.
CBD & Drug Testing
When undergoing a drug test, it’s unlikely that CBD will show up on the test results. This is because CBD and THC, which most drug tests are looking for, are entirely different. But, the problem may lie in the fact that many CBD products contain a trace amount of THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana.
If a CBD product contains a high enough percentage of THC, it will show up on a drug test. So while a CBD product may cause a positive drug test, CBD in itself isn’t the problematic compound.
CBD Products & THC
As of 2020, the CBD industry still remains mostly unregulated. Because the Food and Drug Administration has no control over CBD products, it’s hard to know what a CBD product actually contains.
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, all legal CBD products must meet certain standards. First, the CBD used in the product must be extracted from a hemp plant. This is because hemp plants have less THC content when compared to the cannabis plant, which has much higher levels.
The second standard is that a legal CBD product must contain no more than 0.3% THC. This is a trace amount that offers no side effects, so you shouldn’t expect to feel high or altered in any way.
But, just because there’s a federal law that sets these standards doesn’t mean that all CBD products actually meet them. There’s no way to know where CBD is extracted from, how it’s harvested, or the amount of each cannabinoid that’s present.
This means that the product you’re taking could actually contain a higher level of THC than you think. There’s also the risk that the product contains harmful ingredients such as:
- Solvents
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
If you want to continue to use CBD products without the risk of failing a drug test again in the future, there are many things you can do to lessen your risk of THC exposure.
Know Before You Buy
With so many CBD products on the market, it can be hard to know which ones are risky and which ones aren’t. So how can you minimize your risk of THC exposure so that you can pass a drug test with flying colors? Here’s what you should consider.
Only Buy CBD Isolate or Broad Spectrum Products
One of the best ways to prevent consuming any THC is to only buy products that are made with CBD isolate. As the name implies, this is an isolated form of CBD, so it’s pure and contains no other compounds.
CBD products made with CBD isolate are not only THC-free, this form of CBD also doesn’t contain any other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids. There are tons of options on the market if you’re looking for CBD isolate. Delicious, chewy CBD gummies from PureKana are a perfect way to get your CBD fix without the worry of THC exposure.
If you want the added benefit of other plant compounds, such as other cannabinoids and terpenes, look for products that are made using broad-spectrum CBD. This type of CBD has all of the other ingredients but THC has been removed entirely. You’ll often find broad-spectrum CBD used as an oil.
Avoid any product that is made with full-spectrum CBD, as that kind has THC. While the amount used in full-spectrum CBD is relatively low, it could be enough to trigger a positive drug test
Ensure CBD is Sourced from Hemp
Another way to ensure that the CBD product you use has low or no THC is to only buy products that are sourced from hemp plants. CBD that is sourced from the cannabis plant will naturally have a higher level of THC. This means that the CBD needs to be further processed in order to remove as much THC as possible.
But, CBD that is sourced from hemp already has very little THC. This means that the product is low risk of having notable levels of THC that could cause you to fail a drug test.
Review the Certification of Analysis
A certificate of analysis(COA) is one of the best ways to know for a fact what a specific CBD product contains. Even if a product is marketed as having little or no THC, there’s always the risk of cross-contamination during the manufacturing process. There’s also the risk that the company is simply lying about its product in order to boost sales.
A COA is a document provided by a third-party lab that shows a product’s ingredients along with the amounts. With this document, you can verify that what’s advertised about a product is actually true. This includes CBD as well as THC content.
Ideally, what the label says should match what the test results confirm. If they don’t, or if a product you’re interested in doesn’t have a COA at all, your best bet is to find a product that does. You can use a site like CBDGrade to find the perfect product.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that CBD is unlikely to register on a routine drug test. However, because the CBD industry lacks oversight and regulation, it’s hard to know what a CBD product actually contains.
If you need to avoid THC in order to maintain your employment, only purchase CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD products from a trusted brand. This way you can have peace of mind while continuing to enjoy the many benefits that CBD offers.
