Should A CBD User Be Worried About Drug Tests At Work?
Check out what our friends at HAPA Indiana and expert Abraham Villegas founder of the Medical Cannabis Community has to say.
CBD, or cannabidiol: a compound extracted from hemp. Hemp—unlike marijuana—is a cannabis-family plant that is legal in all 50 states and contains very low levels of the psychoactive compound THC.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): the active ingredient in pot that gets you high.
THC-COOH: an inactive metabolite of THC that stays in your fatty tissues for up to 30 days.
“First and foremost, congratulations: you have discovered cannabis and many of the amazing benefits it has to offer. CBD, a well-known cannabinoid, can offer relief from pain, stress, inflammation, or anxiety.
“The chance of testing positive for cannabis on a company drug test depends on the type of CBD product you use, and how you consume it.
“Most CBD products in the market today fall under three primary categories: isolate (CBD only), broad-spectrum (all cannabinoids except THC), full-spectrum (may include THC).
CBD Isolate
“When you consume a CBD-only, or isolate, product, you shouldn’t worry about failing a drug test because most drug tests measure levels of THC-COOH. Some drug screenings also test for active THC. Both are absent in properly produced CBD isolate products.
“When you’re buying CBD isolate products, check the maker’s website to verify that independent testing has been done in a third-party lab to ensure they’re free of THC, as well as heavy metals and other toxins.
Broad Spectrum
“THC has been removed from broad-spectrum products, and you should technically be in the clear with these.
Full Spectrum
“Full-spectrum CBD products are believed to provide the most benefits, but they also carry the most risk in drug tests because they may contain trace levels of THC. If you are consuming full-spectrum products every day, it’s possible to build up nanograms of THC in your system, meaning you’d test positive on a drug test.
“The method of administration of CBD also plays a key role in its impact on a drug test. When you’re consuming products that may contain THC—such as flower (aka dry bud), vape, edibles, or concentrates—it’s likely to accumulate in your body and be present on a drug test. Consuming these same products via a topical application such as a lotion, salve, or transdermal patch are thought to be much safer from a drug testing standpoint.
What To Do If You Fail
“If you fail a drug test after using CBD-only products, request a retest with your employer. False positives are definitely a thing, and they’re more common than many people think.”
All of the products sold at PureStasis use isolate and broad spectrum CBD. You should be safe on the vast majority of drug testing programs.