Will CBD show up on a drug test? Even though CBD is legal in the United States, there are concerns about certain products causing problems with drug tests. Here’s what you need to know.
In the last few years, the popularity of CBD has increased by a substantial amount. No longer is it the hush-hush topic gone undiscussed by people in fear of being judged -- now it’s for sale in gift shops, movie rental stores, and other highly-frequented shopping centers.
While CBD is more common than ever, there is still a lot of confusion centered around it. What is CBD? Is CBD legal?
Not to mention, you may be hesitant about adding CBD oil products to your daily routine because of concern that they could cause you to fail drug tests. So, will CBD show up on a drug test? And just how long does CBD oil stay in your system, anyway?
If you're asking yourself these questions about CBD and drug tests, you're not alone. Depending on where you live and your line of work, a drug test may be a part of your employment or athletic career requirements.
It’s understandable why people want answers to these, and this article will help shed light on what is perhaps one of the more high-stakes questions-- does CBD show up on a drug test?
Will CBD oil show up on a drug test?
The short answer is no - CBD oil itself won’t usually show up on a drug test. The caveat to that answer involves THC, which may be included to a small degree in some CBD products. While the federal government requires that all CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC, sometimes this is enough to elicit a positive drug test.
Drug tests aren't looking for CBD, which when derived from hemp is federally legal. Most tests are looking for the signs of past use of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, among other things. Specifically, drug tests for cannabis screen for one of THC's main metabolites, THC-COOH (11-nor-delta9-carboxy-THC).
Because THC levels are so low in most hemp-derived CBD products, in most cases, CBD oil does not cause a positive drug test. Full-spectrum CBD products and formulations with new hemp cannabinoids can contain enough THC to trigger a positive drug test.
This is the case with products from Koi, which may contain detectable amounts of THC but still comply with the federal 0.3% requirement. So keep in mind, while a product meets the requirement for producing and selling CBD products, it may still be high enough to prevent someone from passing a drug test.
For legal reasons, Koi cannot make any guarantees or claims on the outcome of a drug screening, and any reputable CBD company should tell you the same thing. If you are subject to drug screening, we recommend not using any CBD or hemp cannabinoid products for up to 2 weeks before your test - just to stay on the safe side.
Is CBD legal or not, though?
Yes, CBD is legal at the U.S. federal level. Each state has the right to implement its own rules regarding production, sale, and consumption. Users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the laws in their particular states because each state’s laws are constantly changing.
It’s important to keep in mind that different drug tests employ different methods and may be able to detect smaller amounts of THC due to outside factors. And depending on the specific reason for your screening (eligibility for job, probation requirements, or participation in athletic competition), you might be disqualified if even CBD is detected, even though it is legal.
CBD vs. THC
Understanding CBD as one molecule among hundreds of cannabinoids produced by the hemp plant can be confusing. Some people assume it’s marijuana, which it is not. Others have no clue what it is at all. So, what is CBD?
CBD (also known as cannabidiol) is a chemical compound from the Cannabis Sativa plant - also called marijuana or hemp. It’s a product that’s naturally occurring, meaning it’s found in nature. CBD is known for positive effects such as relaxation, balance, and overall wellness. It should not be confused with delta-9 THC, the main cannabis compound known for its noticeable uplifting effects.
How long does CBD stay in your system?
There’s no ‘one and done’ answer when it comes to how long CBD stays in a person's system and is detectable. When you eat, vape, or absorb a CBD product, CBD levels in your bloodstream temporarily rise as the compound is carried throughout the body and interacts with your body's systems.
CBD, like all cannabinoids, is lipid-soluble. So, the compound will accumulate in your body's fat reserves. Over time, it's slowly released until it's eliminated.
So how long does this process take? Early insight suggests that there are a lot of variables to take into consideration, such as:
How much CBD you use
- The higher your CBD serving, the longer the CBD will stay in your system.
How often you use it
- CBD builds up in your body over time. If you’re a regular user, the CBD stays in your system longer. If you’re a first-time or an occasional user, it leaves your body much quicker.
Your body's makeup
- The variables of your body can change how fast or slow the CBD leaves. Things such as body mass index, water content, and rate of metabolism should be taken into account.
Whether you ate recently or not
- CBD will stay in your system longer if taken on a full stomach. On an empty stomach, it's metabolized more quickly and therefore exits faster.
Method of ingestion
- Different methods of ingesting CBD make for shorter and longer stays. When using vapes, for example, the CBD exits your body faster than when you ingest it using oils and tinctures.
CBD Products with No Detectable Amounts of THC
If you're interested in adding CBD products to your day while avoiding even trace levels of THC, broad-spectrum CBD products could be a solution. Broad-spectrum CBD products are made with CBD oil containing all of the native compounds found in hemp, except for detectable amounts of THC.
Koi Naturals Hemp Extract CBD Tinctures are made with premium Koi PRIZM broad-spectrum hemp extract. They comes in two strengths and are available in lemon-lime, orange, strawberry, >spearmint, peppermint, and natural flavors.
If you prefer CBD gummies with no detectable amounts of THC, our Anytime Balance CBD Gummies and Nighttime Rest CBD Gummies are also made with broad-spectrum CBD.
FAQ on CBD and Drug Tests
Does CBD vape oil show up on a drug test?
In most cases, CBD vape oil will not cause a positive drug test. However, in rare cases, a positive drug test could result from vaping CBD made with full-spectrum CBD oil that contains some THC.
Do CBD gummies show up on a drug test?
CBD gummies shouldn't show up on a drug test since most tests do not screen for CBD. However, full-spectrum CBD gummies do contain some THC. If enough THC is present in your system, a positive drug test could result.
Do CBD tinctures show up on a drug test?
The past use of CBD tinctures will not trigger a positive drug test in most cases. With that said, CBD tinctures may show up on a drug test if they're made with full-spectrum CBD oil and contain some THC.
Do CBD topicals show up on a drug test?
CBD topicals should not show up on a drug test. The contents of CBD bath and body products and CBD topicals do not penetrate the bloodstream. Instead, they interact with receptors near the skin's surface for localized benefits.
Better Safe Than Sorry
If you are subject to drug screening, we recommend not using any CBD or hemp products for up to 2 weeks before your test. Although the chance of failing a test may seem small if you are careful about the CBD products you're using, often the stakes associated with passing a drug test are high enough that you would not want to risk it.
As always, if you have specific questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Koi and ask one of our customer service experts about anything you want to know!
