Does CBD show up on a drug test? Cannabidiol is a popular drug, but there are still many questions, including whether it will appear on a drug test.
Delta 9 and CBD are both cannabinoids or active components in Cannabis sativa. CBD, however, does not produce the same psychoactive “high” that THC.
Since they both come from the cannabis plant, it is fair to ask whether THC and CBD can show up on a drug screen. Refer to available data and information to learn more about the way drug tests for marijuana are conducted and how CBD can lead to a positive result. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working to address any concerns and answer questions related to this.
How Do Cannabis Drug Tests Work?
Cannabis drug tests are designed to detect THC and not CBD. According to Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., a triple-board-certified medical toxicologist and co-medical Director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C., only a few drug tests can detect cannabis in the body.
The immunoassay is one of the most common tests. It involves analyzing a urine sample or another bodily liquid, such as blood, to identify chemicals that are similar in structure to THC’s active metabolite. The immunoassay does not detect THC, and it does not give any information about the level of impairment or amount that a person has been exposed to.
They are presumptive because they can give false positives and false negatives. As the next step, many organizations perform confirmation drug tests.
Dr. Johnson Arbor says that mass spectrometry, which is used in the workplace or forensic drug tests, is considered to be the “gold standard” of drug testing. This is because it’s the most accurate method to detect a drug’s presence in urine or blood. The mass spectrometry test is an advanced method that detects compounds based on their chemical structure. It is also more expensive and time-consuming than immunoassays. Highly trained personnel are required, and it can take weeks or days to get the results.
THC can be detected in drug tests up to 30 days after heavy use and 3 days after a single use. THC is fat-soluble and can stay in the body for long periods of time. Chronic THC usage can lead to a buildup of THC in fatty tissues, which may slowly release THC from the bloodstream.
What Level of THC Leads to a Positive Result on a Drug Test?
Dr. Johnson Arbor explains that there is no standard THC level used in all drug tests. Different laboratory test manufacturers may have different thresholds for positive THC results.
The cutoff for THC in an initial immunoassay is 50 nanograms/milliliter of urine. This amount represents the level of THC metabolites found in urine and is used as a threshold for a positive result. However, it does not reflect the amount of THC consumed by the person being tested.
Does CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
CBD can cause a positive test result in a drug test if it contains more THC than indicated on the label, which is not uncommon. According to Dr. Johnson Arbor CBD products are not regulated and may contain unwanted contaminants like THC or illicit substances.
In a study conducted in 2017, only one-third of the 48 CBD products reviewed had accurate information regarding their CBD content. Additionally, 21% of these products contained THC.
In Germany, F100 Research conducted an analysis of 67 CBD-containing foods. It found that 25% contained THC levels higher than the LOAEL of 2.5 milligrams per day (the lowest level of adverse effects observable).
CBD products can contain harmful ingredients. CBD may not make you high, but CBD products that contain more THC than claimed by the manufacturer could.
Does the Type of CBD Matter?
CBD can be derived from cannabis that contains THC or hemp. According to the Federal Drug Administration, hemp-derived CBD shouldn’t contain more than 0.3% of THC. Product testing has shown, however, that CBD can sometimes exceed this limit.
Researchers have concluded using hemp-derived products does not guarantee passing drug tests. Dr. Johnson Arbor warns, that because marijuana cultivation, possession, and sale are illegal on the federal level any positive drug tests can have serious legal consequences.
Due to the extraction method used to remove THC, CBD isolates and broad-spectrum CBD products are likely to have less detectable THC.
How to Check if a CBD Product Doesn’t Contain THC
It is challenging for consumers to determine the amount of THC in a CBD product. According to Dr. Johnson Arbor, the CBD industry is largely unregulated, making it impossible to know whether or not a CBD product contains THC.
While manufacturers may claim to have test results showing that their CBD product does not contain THC, these results are usually only representative of a single sample batch and cannot be applied to all CBD products sold by the company.
To ensure minimal THC content in a CBD product, consumers should look for a Certificate of Analysis. This document provides detailed information about the compounds in a CBD-based product. It is usually available on the company’s website, but it can also be requested. If a company does not provide a Certificate of Analysis, it could be a warning sign that the company either does not test its products or is unwilling to share the results with consumers.
In short, CBD can show up as a positive on a drug screen. Consumers can take certain precautions to ensure that the CBD product they purchase contains the least amount of THC possible. However, due to the lack of regulation for CBD products, there is no way to guarantee the accuracy of labeling.
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