Does CBD show up on a drug test?

Well firstly, let’s make it clear that by purchasing CBD from Associated CBD you can be sure you are getting high quality CBD products that all fall within the legal thresholds of THC! In this blog we look closely at the possible pitfalls of CBD and drug testing, its legality and tips to ensure you are not caught out!

Summary

• THC is the regulated compound which is targeted by most common cannabis drug tests.
• There are many cannabis based drug tests that will have different thresholds for THC levels.
• All our products sold have lab reports available showing the certificate of analysis proving its legality and safety.
• Product issues, mislabelling or contaminated samples could cause a positive test
• For customers who are tested regularly and worry about THC levels, it’s best to take isolated CBD oils rather than full spectrum oils than contain trace THC levels

This is a question that we get commonly asked, will CBD show up on a drug test? And in short the answer is No. CBD (cannabidiol) is perfectly legal, but the regulated substance is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and no products should be sold in the UK outside of the stipulated threshold. In the UK this is 0.2% THC.

It ultimately means that people need not worry about consuming CBD, but rather should be concerned with the levels of THC and trace levels of THC that may be within the CBD products that they buy. 

How do drug tests work that look for Cannabis?

There are a number of drug tests that look for Cannabis, and all of these target THC and/or its metabolites. THC is fat soluble and can be stored in body fat for a long time, and this means that some THC can be detected for a long period after use. This will depend on the extent of the THC consumption but after heavy use it's possible to still provide a positive test over 30 days later. Once the body burns the fat, the THC is released and then reduced and eliminated by the kidneys.

Urine tests (immunoassay) are the most typical form of cannabis tests. Analysis of the urine samples search for chemicals resembling a metabolite of THC. The level of concentration of these THC levels will decide whether a threshold is reached and as to whether the test will show up as positive or negative. These tests are quick and inexpensive, but their results can be less conclusive than further more accurate types due to a higher likelihood of false positives or false negatives. Confirmatory tests will often use mass spectrometry or high performance liquid chromatography. These are more accurate, but are far more costly and take longer for the results to be produced, often with a lead time in the weeks. 

So whilst THC is detectable in urine, it’s worth noting CBD can also be detectable in urine, but that doesn’t form part of the drugs test. CBD will typically stay in the body for a few days with the half-life of CBD estimated to be around the 30 hour mark. Although given the nature of CBD and its continued dosages for most people daily, it is likely it will take a long time for CBD to be fully flushed out the body.

 

Where can THC show up in the body and be tested by drug testing?

There are four common testing regimes that focus on different bodily components:

Urine 

Urine tests we have talked about already and these form the most typical drugs test. For these tests THC levels must be below 50ng/ml (nanograms per millilitre) to produce a negative test. These can stay in the body from anywhere from a few days to well over 30 depending on the extent of usage

Blood 

Blood tests are also fairly common, but are less used in cannabis tests because the THC will leave the bloodstream quickly and is only detectable in the blood plasma for 5 or 6 hours. If blood tests are used it is likely that the individual involved is displaying significant symptoms and cognitive problems. If you look at countries where THC and cannabis is legalised the test will be to confirm a significant level of impairment, such as the inability to drive. 

Hair

Hair tests will analyse for THC metabolites, but these can stay present at recognisable levels for months later. These tests are uncommon but still possible.

Saliva

Saliva Cannabis drugs tests are also uncommon, but it’s worth noting the THC is detectable in saliva for 72 hours after use. There are no cut-off limits established for THC in Saliva, but important to point out it is certainly possible to be detected.

What about buying CBD products in the UK, could I be caught out?

This is a good question, and when buying products from Associated CBD you can shop in confidence, knowing that our products come with Novel food application number and lab reports available for each product we sell outlining its THC levels. None of our products will exceed the 0.2% THC limit imposed on UK customers. So whilst that is reassuring, there are still further precautions as a customer you can take to be even safer. That will come down to the product type you purchase. We outline these three major types here.

CBD isolate

CBD isolate products are without doubt the safest choice for customers being ultra safe and who are regularly drug tested. CBD isolate is carefully distilled to remove all other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and THC. This is important for athletes who drug test as the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) prohibit all cannabinoids except CBD. So if you are a competing athlete, the only CBD oil that could be considered are CBD isolate oils.

CBD full spectrum

Full spectrum CBD contains all naturally occurring cannabinoids from the Cannabis group of plants. The list of cannabinoids is particularly large, but full spectrum CBD could contain them all plus the terpenes and flavonoids that give so much of the renowned smell and taste. Full spectrum will also include some trace levels of THC (still under 0.2% to remain legal) but nonetheless these will have a higher chance of appearing on drug tests. The possibility of cross contamination or incorrect testing procedures whilst rare is still possible, so for customers worried about their THC intake, we’d again suggest the safest option of going for a CBD isolate.

CBD broad spectrum

Broad spectrum effectively sits in between the two. It still contains a range of compounds and cannabinoids, but will not include the THC. A safer option than full spectrum, in regards THC testing, but still less safe than going for the purest form of a CBD isolate.

Is CBD oil safe?

Yes, it is perfectly safe and legal to consume and all our products have a legal limit of THC below 0.2% and lab reports are available for all our CBD products.

Will CBD get me high?

No, CBD will not get you high as CBD is not the psychoactive element of Cannabis Sativa group of plants that gives the “high”. This is the THC element and all our CBD products for pain relief contain less than 0.2% THC as legally permitted in the UK.

Are there any other factors that could cause a failed drug test?

It is possible to fail a drug test if buying products from a non-reputable source. The industry has cleaned significantly in recent years and with the recent regulation from the FSA regarding CBD as a Novel Foods will help to increase customer confidence further. But there is still a chance of product mislabelling leading to products having higher than expected THC levels and causing a failed drugs test. 

Cross contamination of products is also a possibility during the production of goods. Storing products with varying levels of THC together could lead to cross contamination or not in sealed packaging and the correct level of due diligence being taken. The addition of lab reports and certificates help to bring clarity to customers and these are available for all products we sell on Associated CBD.

Secondhand exposure to THC is also a potential problem and there are clinical studies showing that it is possible to absorb THC via secondhand smoke inhalation from high THC smoke. Particularly so from marijuana smoke if in a very poorly ventilated room. Ventilation has proven to be a big factor in whether a person can absorb enough THC to provide a positive drug test. One study saw results of THC being absorbed secondhand, but due to high levels of ventilation it did not cause a positive test. However another study found positive results were caused by second hand smoke inhalation when in a tightly packed coffee shop space!

Conclusion

In summary, THC is the major compound to be aware of when considering drug testing. It is most common that drug tests will take place in the way of urine samples, and positive levels of THC can stay in the body for between a few days and a month if after excessive usage of THC containing products. For customers looking for total certainty we’d advise to sticking to CBD isolates, but reiterate that all products sold online by us whether they are broad or full spectrum will still be legal and well within legal limits, so you can shop with confidence. All lab reports also remain available for each product on sale!

Thank you very much for reading, and feel free to speak with me direct for questions here

References 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576600/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4342697/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4758796/

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20465865/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7893882/

FAQs

What CBD oils are best for anxiety?

This is a question which will depend very much on the user. We find just as many of our customers opting for a cbd isolate based oil as we do for those looking at full spectrum or even broad spectrum oils. It is very much a question that is best tested by each person to find which CBD oils work best for them. The common advantage to CBD full spectrum oils are in regards to the well known combination of CBD with other cannabinoids called the entourage effect. The combination of other cannabinoids with CBD are said to interact with one another to have a more profound impact. However on the flip side, we find many customers who want the purest form of CBD with no further cannabinoids and for these users a CBD isolate remains their best bet. Remember if going for a full spectrum oil, beware of the possibility of drug testing for THC.

How much CBD oil should I take?

So this brings us full circle to the heading of the blog post. Well to be honest, ultimately it depends. If you are a new user, we would typically suggest trying a CBD isolate oil and going for a small dosage in the region of 10mgs. You can then build this up over the following days and weeks to test your tolerance and see how your body reacts up to a limit of 70mg. We always remind people that you can dose far higher than this, and there are studies that have supported its safety profile as high as 1500mg per day, but we would certainly not suggest anyone to do that!

I’ve taken CBD in small doses before but now I want to try CBD for anxiety, so what do you suggest?

For a more seasoned CBD user, we might suggest trying a broad spectrum of full spectrum CBD oil but would still look to start small with a dosage in the 10-25mg category. This allows any user to build up overtime and to really test how the CBD interacts with your body and if it really aids your sleep.

Can I take CBD everyday?

Yes, you can take CBD everyday and in fact building up CBD in your system overtime can give some of the greatest benefits as opposed to one-off dosages.

Which CBD Oil is best?

We like to think variety is an important factor, and that is one reason at Associated CBD we try to hold a wide variety of CBD strengths, types and products! There is no best CBD out there, it is about what works best for you and your body.

Are there studies that can support CBD helping with anxiety?

Yes, there are plenty of studies that support CBD having effects on anxiety and many of our customers have left positive reviews for how it has supported them in this way. Some of our  blogs look in more detail at these studies.

How much CBD oil should I take?

Well to be honest, ultimately it depends. If you are a new user, we would typically suggest trying a CBD isolate oil and going for a small dosage in the region of 10mgs. You can then build this up over the following days and weeks to test your tolerance and see how your body reacts up to a limit of 70mg. We always remind people that you can dose far higher than this, and there are studies that have supported its safety profile as high as 1500mg per day, but we would certainly not suggest anyone to do that!

Can I take CBD on holiday?

The answer to this question is always - do your research first! Whilst our CBD products are legal and safe to use in the UK, in other countries there are specific laws that need to be followed. We have a blog that covers some of this but please look at your destination  governing website before attempting to bring CBD into another country!

CBD interacts with the ECS

Every human being has an endocannabinoid system and some researchers believe that CBD interacts with a core component of the endocannabinoid receptors in your brain and immune system. These receptors are tiny proteins attached to your cells. They receive signals, mostly chemical ones, from different stimuli and help your cells respond. This response creates anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that help with pain management. 

Best CBD oils for pain relief

It is very difficult to pick out our favourite CBD oils for pain in the UK, but we certainly do have a few options that our customers repeat order and review very well. Unsurprisingly the most potent options for pain relief from CBD are the stronger full spectrum oils.