Can CBD Cause You To Fail A Drug Test?
CAN CBD CAUSE YOU TO FAIL A DRUG TEST?
Many people are finding relief for various ailments by using CBD oil. However, there is apprehension around CBD due to the fear that it can cause someone to test positive for THC.
Today we will discuss if CBD can show up on a drug test, and if so, what types of CBD products are more likely to produce a positive result.
Drug tests come in many forms. THC can be screened using a person’s urine, blood, saliva or hair. A typical urine test uses an immunoassay with antibodies to detect THC. The amount that needs to be present in the body to test positive is 50 nanograms per milliliter of THC.
How much CBD needs to be consumed to put your body over this limit?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. Because there many variables, it is difficult to estimate what dose of CBD would result in a positive flag. A person’s individual metabolism, body weight, the potency of the CBD oil, the THC content, and more, all play a role.
CBD oils contain differing amounts of THC. The content of CBD and THC should always be disclosed on the label. CBD oils made from marijuana, with THC levels of ten to twenty percent, can definitely trigger a positive result on a drug test.
But what about CBD oils with only trace amounts of THC or even zero percent THC?
Can these CBD oils also cause a failed drug test? CBD products with such little THC would not normally show up on a drug test. However, there are exceptions.
One way that someone using CBD with trace amounts of THC could fail a test is that the product contained more THC than indicated. Some CBD manufacturers do not test each batch of product that is sold to the public.
Additionally, some dishonest companies might intentionally mislabel their products. Therefore, it’s always important that your CBD oil is made by a trusted company with quality control procedures in place to ensure you are not unknowingly ingesting more THC than you wanted.
Another way that someone using CBD could fail a drug test is by taking large doses on a frequent basis. Most CBD oils on the market contain less than 0.3% of THC, a very small amount. However, heavy use of such a product can cause a buildup of THC, enough to trigger a positive test, especially if an individual processes THC slowly in the body.
The best choices for someone who is concerned about drug testing are products that have zero THC, such as full spectrum hemp oil extracts with zero THC, or a CBD isolate. However, even this is not foolproof.
There have been reports that CBD alone can cause a false positive for THC. Metabolites in CBD may react with the immunoassay, triggering a response for the presence of THC where no THC existed.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, known as GC-MS, is one of the most sensitive and specific tests for THC. GC-MS can rule out false positive cases. The mass spectrum can provide structural information and an absolute recognition of the tested compound.
The bottom line is that anyone who uses any type of CBD can test positive for THC. However, it is highly unlikely to occur when using products with 0% to 0.3% THC. If one does happen to test positive for THC using these products, a secondary test using GC-MS would show that the CBD user is clear of THC. So if you believe a standard THC test resulted in a false positive result, ask for a GC-MS test to be performed.