Does CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

Not everything legal is controversy free, and who would know that better than our cannabis enthusiasts. Even after the legalization of the herb, there are a ton load of do’s and don’ts when it comes to who can use the herb and where. And to ensure that the sanctity of the law is upheld in all conditions, you might have to sit through a drug test somewhere you’re not expected to come high on weed. And yes, even recommendations from medical marijuana doctors Los Angeles might not be enough to get you out of the situation.

No, you won’t get into a legal web but you can end up losing your license, your scholarship or the job you’ve been pinning after.

This makes a drug test kinda scary to sit through. But let me tell you something. If you’re consuming a CBD product, you might be able to get through the drug test without being detected. With THC, however, it’s a completely different thing.

Difference Between CBD and THC

CBD and THC are the two most popular cannabinoids found in cannabis. While the two cannabinoids serve a common purpose, the way they react with the endocannabinoid receptors and the effect they have as individual entities is very different.

CBD or cannabidiol has been most well known for its medicinal value. With an FDA approved CBD medication and other CBD products being recommended to treat chronic ailments, CBD has most definitely hit a homerun.

The cannabinoid has helped thousands of people get pain relief from their debilitating conditions while others have found that CBD helps them relax better, sleep better and confront their symptoms better.

THC or tetrahydrocannabinol on the other hand is the one cannabinoid most commonly associated with the ‘high’ that comes with cannabis. It isn’t the only effect of THC but it does seem to take the spotlight.

THC in cannabis products provides medical patients with pain relief benefits while also acting like a sedative with anxiolytic potential.

The major difference between the two cannabinoids, especially going with the tone of the article, is that the psychoactive cannabinoid THC shows up in a drug test but CBD does not.

In other words, if you’re consuming a pure CBD product (CBD isolate), you won’t fail a drug test.

Factors Affecting Your Drug Test

If you’re a cannabis consumer, the possibility of failing your drug test is always there. However, as a CBD consumer, you can keep certain factors in mind to ensure you pass your test and get that scholarship.

What Type of CBD Product are You Consuming?

There are different CBD products available in the market for you to choose from. Depending on your requirement you can opt for a full spectrum, broad-spectrum or CBD isolate product.

Full Spectrum

These products contain all naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids present in the cannabis strain. If you’re consuming a full spectrum product, there are high chances that you’ll fail your drug test.

Recreational marijuana products can only have up to 0.3% THC. With a percentage so low, chances of getting through your drug test without detection are higher than medical doses of full spectrum CBD.

Medical cannabis products bought post recommendation from medical marijuana doctors Los Angeles can have a much higher concentration of THC and won’t go unnoticed.

Broad Spectrum

Broad spectrum CBD products contain all other cannabinoids except for THC. This reduces the chances of failing the drug test by a lot. However, the presence of other cannabinoids like Delta 8 THC may or may not cause an issue. Not enough research has been done on these newly found cannabinoids and so their presence can turn things around for you.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolates are free from all cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids, making them the safest bet if you’re hoping to get out of a drug test detection free. As we’ve already discussed, CBD, by itself, is not a psychoactive cannabinoid and so most drug tests do not look for CBD remnants.

Are There Any Contaminants?

Contaminants could be anything you’re not expecting to find in your CBD product. Not just heavy metals, pesticides or microbes but even the presence of THC beyond the stated amount is a contaminant.

Consuming a product that states to have 0.3% THC but ends up having more, can ruin your chances at getting that job.

It’s crucial to remember that the FDA has not put out any regulations about the full disclosure of the ingredients, their potencies and the like. A company is under no legal obligation to provide its customers with the certificate of analysis of the product. While the COA tells you everything about the components of the product, the ingredients, the potencies and the quality; not every brand is transparent about that information.

Here’s a pro tip: Don’t buy from brands who do not disclose the COA to you. If it’s worth hiding, it’s not worth buying.

How Do You Consume It?

The way you consume your CBD also plays an important role in whether you’ll pass or fail your drug test, especially if you’re consuming a full spectrum product.

THC, which can be found in full-spectrum products, tends to stay in the blood for a long time. While it is only detectable for (approximately) 48 hours in saliva, 3 days to a month in urine and 3 months in your hair follicles. This means a surprise urine test might just ruin your chances at the future you envisioned.

But that’s only possible if you consume the CBD product. But the topical application of CBD works differently. Unlike consumables, topicals are simply applied on the skin and get absorbed into the skin without reaching the blood. In other words, whether they test your blood, saliva, hair or urine; there will be no detectable traces of THC.

Other than being a good way to avoid failing a drug test, topicals are actually a perfect pick for those looking for localized relief or skin treatments.

Disclaimer: Topical transdermal patches do not work like other CBD topicals. These are the only topical products that deliver the CBD directly into the bloodstream, without requiring it to go through digestion in the liver.

THC delivered to the bloodstream via these patches is also detectable in drug tests and might cause you to fail.

Things to Keep in Mind

Here are a few things you can do to minimize the chance of getting a positive drug test result:

• Opt for CBD isolates over full-spectrum products
• If choosing full-spectrum products, prefer those with less than 0.3% THC
• Buy from licensed dispensaries that provide the COA of the product
• Cease use a few days prior to your drug test or switch to topicals

Next time you consult your medical marijuana doctors Los Angeles for an MMJ renewal, make sure to ask for their recommendation regarding a CBD product that won’t put you at the risk of failing a drug test.