Cannabis products have become more mainstream in the last few years, especially since the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp, but some workplaces still haven’t come around to the idea.
Certain jobs require mandatory drug screenings for various controlled substances—including marijuana. But where does the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD fit in? Does CBD show up on a drug test? Is it alright to use CBD during the workday? Is there even a specific drug test for CBD?
CBD And Drug Tests
The big question for those interested in adding CBD to their daily wellness routine, but who have a job that may potentially drug test is: Does CBD show in an employee drug test?
The good news is that generally speaking, a standard-issue drug test won’t test for CBD. It may have a category that tests for marijuana, but that only tests for the presence of THC. Hypothetically, a company could commission a lab to create a CBD-specific drug screening test, but the costs of doing this would far outweigh the benefits.
All this being said, CBD may still indirectly cause you to falsely test positive for THC if you aren’t careful.
Can You Fail A Drug Test Due To CBD?
Even though drug tests don’t test for CBD, some CBD products could cause you to fail one.
Full-spectrum CBD products contain the whole gamut of terpenes and cannabinoids that are naturally present in the hemp plant. These additional compounds work together and create something known as the entourage effect. Essentially each individual compound enhances the therapeutic benefits of the other compounds present. For this reason, full-spectrum CBD is usually the most sought-after form of the cannabinoid. It’s also why we use full-spectrum hemp flower in each of our stelo™.
In the United States, for CBD products to fall under federally legal guidelines they must contain less than 0.3 THC. This means that full-spectrum CBD, while legal in most states, does contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These trace amounts could potentially cause you to fail a marijuana drug screening.
Other Types of CBD Oil and Employee Drug Tests
Broad-spectrum CBD still contains terpenes and other minor cannabinoids but doesn’t include any THC, which makes it a safer choice for those who still want to glean some of the benefits from the entourage effect. CBD Isolate, which is CBD in its purest form, is the safest option if drug tests are a concern, though you won’t get any entourage effect benefits since there are no extra therapeutic compounds present
It’s also important to make sure that the CBD you’re purchasing has accurate product labeling. Since CBD is an unregulated industry, companies aren’t required to test for potency. This could lead to accidentally consuming a product containing THC. Always purchase CBD from reputable manufacturers who display their certificate of analysis to prove their products have been accurately tested.
Should Employees Be Able To Use CBD?
Since there’s not a CBD oil drug test, and traditional marijuana drug tests cant discern between marijuana use and a CBD product with trace amounts of THC present, it is possible to become an employee fired for CBD use even though it’s perfectly legal.
So can federal employees use CBD without putting their careers in jeopardy? Until we have a more comprehensive drug test, CBD may be risky for those whose jobs require regular drug screenings. Though that’s hardly fair considering CBD is legal and non-intoxicating.
Research suggests that CBD may have a myriad of therapeutic benefits similar to medical marijuana but without the strong psychoactive effect. One reason people use CBD is the potential benefit of pain relief. As a business owner, you want your employees in the best possible working condition to maximize their efficiency. If one of your employees is suffering from chronic back pain, they will be less productive as a result. Mitigating this pain with CBD would actually help that employee be a more efficient worker. It would also be a shame to have to see your colleague in unnecessary pain due to a drug test technicality.
It’s not just physical either. Studies have shown that CBD could be used to treat anxiety, and many people do use the compound in that way. When employees feel better, their work is better.
