Last updated : December 16, 2024
Does your CBD contain THC?
The answer is most likely, yes. Then the question becomes – how much THC does your CBD contain?
That question is much more difficult to answer for a variety of reasons. Currently, there is no regulation or oversight in the CBD industry. There are no FDA studies on CBD (because it’s classified as a supplement) except for one product for pediatric seizures. Therefore, there is no way to be sure what you are getting in your CBD products.
Also, one of the most frequently asked questions is “will I fail a drug test for THC if I use CBD?” That’s also a complicated issue and most scientists aren’t willing to commit to an answer. The science suggests “probably not”, but “maybe”.
Here’s a discussion with Karen Kitchen, owner of USAMDT of Northeast Ohio, and Joe Reilly, Senior Compliance Officer from USAMDT:
Let’s explore why or why not you may fail a drug test for THC if you use CBD. Both CBD and THC come from the hemp plant, but they come from different parts of the plant. That explains how they can be different in terms of how people react to them. The THC is the part of the plant that creates the psychoactive effect or “high.” CBD does not create the psychoactive effect because it’s from different parts of the plant.
By law, CBD products may contain up to 0.3% THC. That amount, or less, is a very low level and not enough to cause the psychoactive effect. What it does do, though, is create a “body high” or “warm bath” soothing effect with its pronounced pharmacological effects (to get technical, it still crosses the blood-brain barrier). That’s the effect that consumers are seeking when they are self-treating conditions such as anxiety, pain and insomnia, to name a few. And, they’re able to do so with a whole host of products that are readily available, like lotions, balms, oils, tinctures, etc.
CBD is now legal across the country. This began in 2018 with the passing of the Farm Bill Act (the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018). It makes hemp an agricultural commodity and obtainable for commercial uses, gives states the power to oversee hemp production and distribution, and takes away DEA authority over hemp. In addition, the bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, legalizing cultivation, distribution and sale of hemp across US.
Drug Testing
Back to the question about passing a drug test when taking CBD. Keep in mind that current drug tests do not test for CBD. They only test for THC. Therefore, if your CBD product has a low amount of THC in it, it’s unlikely that the THC will show up on a test. But there is mounting evidence that some CBD products can, indeed, cause a positive test result for THC on a drug test. How could this happen?
- Taking products that contain high levels of THC.
- Taking products that have been contaminated by nearby THC extracts.
- Ingesting a mislabeled product that intentionally contains THC.
- Consuming so much that your body converts it into enough THC to test positive.
At the end of the day, most experts advise that it’s a “buyer beware” market when it comes to consuming CBD products, especially if you are in a job or safety-sensitive position that requires passing a drug test to stay employed. While there are no guarantees, careful research is beneficial when consuming any product. It is recommended to research the company, determine if it is a broad spectrum or full spectrum product (broad spectrum products should not contain THC) and ask questions about how manufacturers remove THC from their CBD products.
In conclusion, employers, especially DOT, need to ensure they have proper drug testing policies in place to test for THC. And, employees should take CBD products at their own risk if they are subject to workplace drug testing.
