Will CBD Sneak Onto Your Weed Screening? — What Everyone Should Know About Taking CBD Before A Drug Test

Judging by recent headlines, hemp is causing a lot of hassles in the workplace. Although hemp-derived CBD oils are federally legal, there are already dozens of horror stories from hemp fans who lost their jobs. Some employees had to go to court to prove they were taking legit hemp CBD, not high-THC marijuana. 

Even though CBD is legal and non-psychoactive, that doesn’t mean CBD products can’t wreck a person’s drug screening. Thankfully, people could use a few pro techniques to enjoy their CBD supplements without sacrificing their paychecks. 

Are Drug Screeners Interested In CBD Levels? 

First off, customers should know that marijuana drug tests don’t test for CBD concentrations. Cannabis drug tests have always been interested in just one chemical: delta-9 THC. To be more precise, weed tests want to know if you have delta-9 or any associated metabolites (e.g., THC-COOH) in your system. 

For most of the 20th century, scientists didn’t know all that much about CBD. Now that more studies confirm CBD is non-psychoactive, most US states have no issues with hemp CBD products with ≤ 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. There’s also no indication that employers will add a CBD section to their cannabis drug tests.

If CBD Is Legit, Why Is It So “Dangerous” Before A Drug Exam?

Just because cannabis tests don’t scan for CBD doesn’t mean hemp fans are in the clear. Sure, your drug test might not pick up CBD, but it could detect traces of THC.

Please remember that full-spectrum CBD oils are legally allowed to have ≤ 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. Not only that, many CBD products have minuscule traces of THC-related cannabinoids like delta-8 or delta-10. 

Even though the concentrations of THC in hemp are small, this cannabinoid tends to have a long half-life. Plus, whenever a THC molecule breaks down, it forms hundreds of metabolites, which could be mistaken for THC. 

It’s also worth mentioning that CBD and THC share a similar ancestor: CBG. Although CBD’s molecular structure is distinct from THC, extra-sensitive drug-screening machines might make a mistake. 

When Is It Safe To Take CBD Oil Before Work? 

While taking CBD oil isn’t as risky as smoking a marijuana joint before a drug screening, there’s a high probability it could impact your results. CBD products with ≤ 0.3 percent THC are hazardous to take on workdays.

Unfortunately, there’s no precise time when CBD clears every person’s system. Factors like your weight, metabolism, and CBD dosage will influence how long hemp cannabinoids stay in your body. However, it’s safe for most people to assume traces of CBD oil will remain in their bodies for at least one week. 

Is There A Way To Avoid “Green Readings” When Taking CBD? 

Just because your employer enforces drug tests doesn’t mean you need to give up on CBD. You just have to know how to find the right product and dosage for your needs.

First, you must ask for a third-party lab test when ordering any hemp-derived products. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) help customers see the exact cannabinoid percentages in their CBD oils, edibles, and vape carts. On workdays, you should only use broad-spectrum CBD extracts or CBD isolate powder, both of which should have zero delta-9 THC. 

In addition to scanning for THC percentages, customers should consider microdosing CBD on workdays. The less CBD you put in your body, the lower the risk cannabinoids will show up on urine analyses. Plus, many employees find that tiny doses of CBD are far better for a work environment as they prevent unwanted side effects like deep sedation. 

If you’re a fan of high-intensity & full-spectrum CBD products, you should seriously consider reserving CBD sessions for the weekend. Giving your body a few days to clear hemp cannabinoids can reduce the odds of lingering cannabinoids muddying your results. 

Remember that there are no guarantees on how long hemp cannabinoids will remain in your system. If you’re extra concerned about taking CBD before work, you must concentrate on lab-verified & THC-free products. 

OK, That’s Great…Now What About Delta-8?

There are many ways you could strategize taking CBD before a drug test and still keeping your job. However, the same can’t be said about another famous hemp cannabinoid: delta-8 THC. If you’re a fan of delta-8 products, you must know this psychoactive cannabinoid has a greater chance of seriously affecting your marijuana drug screening. 

To learn more about delt-8 in your system, you need to check out our previous post, “Does Delta-8 THC Show Up on a Drug Test?”