Does CBD show up in drug tests?

Many who are interested in starting a CBD oil routine are hesitant out of concern over whether or not CBD oil could cause them to fail a drug test. While there are many benefits to a CBD oil regimen, we understand that they aren’t worth risking the consequences of a failed drug test.

Today, we explore CBD oil and drug tests and answer the question, “Will CBD oil make me fail my drug test?”

What is a drug test?

A drug test, also referred to as a drug screening, analyzes samples to detect the presence of illegal drugs or prescription medications. Different drug tests screen for different drugs, depending on the needs of those administering it. Drug tests can use urine, blood, hair, sweat, or saliva, with each providing its own advantages for screening, including time since use, minimum amount detected, and accuracy.

Drug tests have now become a common condition before employment, but they are also used as part of parole requirements, during substance abuse programs, and by sports organizations to test for prohibited substances.

These drug screens often test for more than just marijuana use. They can also detect the use of opioids, alcohol, cocaine, barbiturates, methamphetamine, and more. Depending on the drug and amount and frequency of use, detection may be possible for a few hours to a few weeks.

Drug tests are more effective at detecting past drug use, rather than actual impairment, which has lead to criticism of the use of drug tests as a requirement for employment. This is especially true in states where recreational or medical marijuana use has been legalized. According to the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Associations, employers ask for drug tests to provide safe work environments, identify and refer employees who have drug or alcohol problems, and even to comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

CBD oil and drug tests

A routine urine drug screen for marijuana use, like the one you may take for a new job, consists of an immunoassay, a biological test with antibodies that are designed to detect THC and its main metabolite, THC-COOH (11-nor-delta9-caboxy-THC). That means that the test was developed specifically to check for the use of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Fortunately, the urine drug screen for THC and its metabolites is known to have very little cross-reactivity to other cannabinoids that are not psychoactive, such as CBD, CBG (cannabigerol), CBN (cannabinol), and others.
Although in small quantities, a full spectrum product has some level of THC. Depending on the dose, a consumer using higher daily quantities of such product may be exposed to enough THC level to trigger a positive result on a drug screen.

Despite this, in a study of patients using CBD hemp oil, an original drug screening using an immunoassay occasionally showed false positives. When the sample was then verified using more accurate GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) tests, though, the samples came back negative, proving that the subjects were under the testing limit for THC.

GC/MS tests are prohibitively expensive for initial testing, so it is rarely used other than to verify results of an immunoassay urine screen. A GC/MS test is capable of separating and analyzing compounds in a sample by vaporizing it and measuring concentrations. They are also more sensitive than initial immunoassay tests, detecting much lower concentrations of THC’s metabolite.

To protect our customers, we strongly recommend that anyone who may be subject to a drug test should use one of our products with no detectable THC to reduce the risk of detection THC in their screening. Despite the statistically low chance of testing positive for a drug test when using full-spectrum CBD oil, choosing products made with CBD isolate instead further removes the risk.

Learn more about the differences between CBD Isolate and Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil HERE.

RSHO-X™

The first CBD hemp oil product of its kind, RSHO-X™ is a version of our customer favorite Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ with no detectable THC. Since RSHO-X™ has only the barest amounts of THC, the compound in cannabis that gets users high, it has become the CBD product of choice for parents of small children, first responders, competitive athletes, or anyone interested in avoiding THC.

RSHO-X™ provides safe, non-psychoactive delivery of cannabidiol (CBD) to the body by combining CBD isolate with sustainably sourced MCT oil. With virtually no taste at all, RSHO-X™ can be taken as is or added to foods or beverages.

CBD isolate

CBD isolate is not a synthetic or lab-made cannabinoid. Instead, it is an all-natural product, extracted from the hemp plant and refined down to an incredible purity.

Like RSHO™ hemp oil, Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ CBD isolate is extracted from non-GMO hemp using supercritical CO2, a process generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The extraction produces a botanical concentrate that includes the cannabinoids, fatty acids, and other plant material found naturally in hemp plants. The CBD hemp oil is then winterized to remove excess waxes and purified using a proprietary process to filter plant material, producing a pure isolate powder with 99% CBD. The CBD isolate powder has no taste or smell to it and can be integrated into a number of products.

With the development of these isolated CBD products, we have given those looking to avoid THC product options that fit their needs.

Visit the HempMeds® online shop to get started with CBD oil products today or discover more about CBD, hemp, and the HempMeds® family on our education page.