With many CBD products being in the spotlight nowadays, it’s vital that anyone considering buying such items get quality and safe products. You don’t want to pop some CBD gummies in your mouth only to find out later they do not contain the cannabidiol you are looking for. You should also know what other chemical compounds are present in your product, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
What Do Drug Tests Look For?
First of all, most drug tests do not explicitly search for CBD. After all, the compound is non-psychoactive and does not cause a high when consumed. CBD does not result in your judgment being impaired when you take it.
On the other hand, THC is a psychotropic substance found in hemp plants that can cause a “high” when taken. Employers want to ensure that their workers can perform their job safely and effectively, which is why they commission drug testing for the substance.
Why Worry About Failing a CBD Drug Test?
If the employers do not test for CBD, then what is the problem? Why should you worry about being flagged for a CBD drug test?
The only reason why you should be worried about failing a drug test after using a CBD product is that it could also contain THC. The product you have taken may be positive for THC, which would most likely be the reason for the report. Many truck drivers and individuals in other professions are required to undergo random drug testing to check for THC.
What About Full-Spectrum CBD?
Many dispensaries sell CBD products that are referred to as full-spectrum. This is their way of saying that although their vanilla CBD oil may primarily have cannabidiol, it can also contain other cannabinoids like THC.
You can purchase full-spectrum CBD in various flavors such as cotton candy CBD oil, strawberry CBD, and CBD oil vanilla.
Anyone who uses full-spectrum CBD may end up having enough THC in their system to get flagged on a drug test. Although the product may not contain sufficient THC to cause a euphoric high, the content may still be high enough to fail a test.
Some CBD Companies Cut Corners
Apart from dispensaries, there are also CBD brands that sell products with CBD extracted from hemp plants but fail to carry out third-party lab testing. Not putting products through lab testing can result in inaccurate labeling.
Such practices are unacceptable since all brands need to provide accurate labeling on their products, especially concerning CBD. Buyers want to know what substances they consume and want to avoid those that they believe can be harmful to them.
Any CBD brand that cuts corners by failing to conduct third-party testing should be avoided at all costs.
Is Hemp Federally Legal?
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, provisions have been included that legalize the growing, cultivation, and sale of hemp plants so long as they contain 0.3% THC or less. After many years of being illegal, hemp plants can now be grown and harvested nationwide. Interstate commerce is now allowed as well.
Since there is only 0.3% THC in such hemp plants, this amount is quite small and should not be a cause for alarm when taking a drug test. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all hemp plants be tested to make sure that their THC concentration is within legal limits. They also ensure that the cultivators gather the plants immediately after the tests have been conducted.
How to Ensure That CBD Products Do Not Have THC
Not all CBD products are equal, as some are safer to use than others. That is why if you plan to use one, it is always best to take time to assess the products before purchasing it.
Here are some tips to help you ensure that the CBD products you purchase do not contain THC.
- Read the product label – See if the CBD product you wish to buy comes from hemp or marijuana and see whether it is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. If any of this information is missing from the product label, it could be a sign that the manufacturer is not reliable.
- Buy products that list the CBD amount – CBD concentration is going to vary among products. CBD gummies may have less concentration than vanilla CBD oil. In most cases, the more expensive CBD products are often the ones with the higher cannabidiol concentration.
- Do your research – While evaluating the CBD product, look for terms such as USDA-certified organic, solvent-free, lab-tested, and CO2-extracted. Having these in the product label are signs that the item is of good quality.
CBD should not show up when taking a routine drug test. However, you should remember that the industry is not regulated consistently. It can be difficult to know what exactly you are getting with each product you purchase.
If you do not want to accidentally consume THC and ensure you can pass a drug test, make sure that you buy your flavored CBD oil from a trusted source.