For some reason when I have to take a drug test for a new job or get selected for random drug testing at work I tend to get nervous; and I don’t use drugs.  But what if I’m taking CBD, should I be more nervous about taking a drug test?

Will CBD lead to a positive (failed) drug test?  Neither CBD nor any of the metabolites your body produces as it processes CBD to flush it from your body will cause you to fail a standard drug test that is likely to be administered at work or as you start a new job.  But there is some information you should be aware of that we’ll discuss below.

We should all want to work in a drug-free work place

To begin with, everyone in the workforce should want to work in a safe environment where they can be confident they aren’t going to become injured simply by doing their job.  Almost every job has inherent dangers associated with it regardless if you work in an office environment, a factory, a lab, a retail facility, or any other type of setting.  And it’s likely your employer has put proper controls in place to limit your exposure to these risks.  But when you or a co-worker decide to come to work under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs those normally low risks can become very serious and even fatal.

So if you work for an employer who enforces a drug-free workplace policy, be grateful for it and take it seriously.  If you’re employer, or future employer, doesn’t enforce such a policy you might consider working elsewhere for your own safety.

This article is NOT designed to help you to somehow beat the drug test at work since that doesn’t help anyone in the long run.  We simply want to provide you with dependable information so you can be confident you’ll pass your next drug test even if you take CBD for your health.

How a drug test works

The typical drug test an employer is likely to administer to you and your co-workers involves collecting a sample of your urine and running it through an initial screen that tests for several types of controlled substances.  These substances all fall within the following list:

• Marijuana
• Amphetamines
• Opioids
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamines
• Benzodiazepines
• Barbiturates
• PCP
• Methadone

The initial drug screen is very fast and inexpensive but also not very accurate.  It also normally does not identify which substance caused the test to be positive.  If the initial screen shows a positive result then a second confirmatory test is run on your urine.  This secondary test is extremely accurate, sensitive, and quite expensive.  It identifies exactly which controlled substance(s) are in your body and at what levels.

A detailed report is produced for your employer with all the relevant information such as what drug is in your system and at what concentration.  If the drug is one which could have been prescribed by a physician, your employer will contact you for proof of a prescription and ensure that you are not abusing the prescription by taking the drug in too high of doses and that your doctor said you were OK to work while taking the medication.

If everything checks out then there won’t be any repercussions from your failed drug test.  If your test is positive and you don’t have a corresponding prescription then you have trouble on your hands.  A failed drug test will likely lead to discipline up to and including termination in most cases.  So your query about failing a drug test by taking CBD is a valid one for sure.

How does marijuana lead to a failed drug test

Marijuana is full of many compounds but the only one known to be psycho-active, or the one capable of getting you “high”, is called Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).  For this reason THC is the only compound in marijuana that can lead to a failed drug test.  To get really technical, it isn’t THC that is detected in drug tests.  It’s actually THC-COOH which is a metabolite your body produces as it works to get THC out of your body.  Since CBD is not metabolized to THC-COOH in our bodies, CBD can not lead to a positive drug test.  But the next section explains that the source of your CBD definitely matters.

Not all CBD products will pass a drug test

CBD can be obtained from two sources.  One is hemp while the other is marijuana.  As explained above, marijuana contains varying amounts of THC.  This THC will be in the CBD obtained from marijuana and will likely lead to a failed drug test if you take this product on a regular basis or if you take the product within a short time of your drug test.

Hemp derived CBD however contains extremely low levels (<0.3%) of THC.  This is far below the level required to produce any sort of “high” and is likely to be below the level of detection for the ordinary drug test your employer may subject you to.  You would need to be taking mega doses of CBD oil in order to get enough THC in your system for a drug test to detect.

But, if the phrase “likely to be below the level of detection” is not safe enough for you, then you should consider trying a CBD isolate.  CBD isolate is exactly what it sounds like… it is a product that contains only CBD with no detectable amount of THC or any other active plant compounds.  Some people claim that the other non-CBD compounds in full spectrum CBD oil also provide some benefits to the body, however research shows that CBD is by far the most beneficial compound to the body.  So a CBD isolate should deliver the vast majority of the benefits you’re expecting from CBD oil.  It’s going to keep you from the possibility of failing any random drug test; assuming you’re not taking other controlled substance into your body of course.

Related Questions

How long will THC stay in your system?

If you’ve been taking CBD derived from marijuana, it likely contains significant quantities of THC.  If you stop using this product it will take a while for the THC to clear out of your system.  This will vary by individual but a good rule of them would be about 13 – 15 days.  Factors such as how lenth of use, age, gender, and general health all play a role in how long THC will stay in your system.

Can CBD affect other medications?

CBD can actually slow down the metabolism of some other controlled substances that may be prescribed by your doctor.  These could very well be medications you have legitimate prescriptions for.  But if you start taking CBD on top of these prescribed medications and then are subjected to a drug test it’s possible, although not likely, that these medications could be in your system at a higher than normal level.  It’s a good idea to talk with your doctor before starting to take CBD of any kind.

Can my employer fire me for THC use if I live in a state where it’s legal?

Even if you live in a state where recreational marijuana is legal this does not mean that your employer will allow you to have THC in your system.  An employer who maintains a drug-free workplace policy won’t allow employees to fail standardized drug tests.  Just like they won’t allow you to work with alcohol in your system.  Talk with your employer about their policy regarding marijuana use before taking any form of it into your body.

Are professional and collegiate athletes OK to use CBD?

If you happen to be a professional or collegiate athlete who is subjected to enhanced forms of drug testing we would encourage you to consult with your coach, trainer, and doctor before taking any new chemical, natural or manufactured, into your body.  You have worked extremely hard to get to where you are as an athlete and you don’t want to jeopardize your career in this way.