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According to a 2018 survey of cannabidiol (CBD) users, many people are using CBD-only therapy in the hopes of finding relief from a variety of medical conditions, including anxiety, pain, and depression. But, many of these people do not realize that they may be risking a positive drug test.
You might need to take a drug test for a new job, a current job, or another commitment. It is important for qualifying medical marijuana patients to understand why CBD products may lead to a positive drug test and what should be done to reduce the chances of this happening.
Once the medical marijuana bill passes and you can access products beyond just CBD, South Carolina Marijuana Card will be here for you! We are excited to help you relieve your conditions with all marijuana products, and we will be the first to tell you when medical marijuana is legal in the state.
Check out our website to stay up to date with the latest news, and read our weekly blogs for more information. Reserve your appointment to be evaluated by a certified marijuana doctor as soon as you can! Our doctors will assist you in finding the right strain for your condition.
Why CBD Oil Can Result in a Positive Drug Test
When people use CBD oil, they aren’t doing so to get high, or if they are, they will be met with disappointment. It is THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), another cannabinoid found in cannabis, that can lead to noticeable psychoactive effects. CBD, however, has medicinal benefits without causing the high feeling.
CBD is legal at the federal level, so those who use hemp-derived CBD products in the United States are not breaking any laws.
Because CBD is legal and doesn’t make you high, few people would expect that CBD use can result in a positive drug test. Unfortunately, there are instances where 100% legal CBD oil leads to a positive drug test.
It is due to the presence of THC in many CBD oils.
CBD oil often contains trace amounts of THC. In fact, it is legal to have 0.3% or less THC in a CBD oil sold in the United States. This tiny amount is enough to show up as positive for marijuana use on a drug test.
How to Avoid a False-Positive on a Drug Test When You Take CBD
When you shop for CBD oil, you will usually find one of three types:
Full-spectrum hemp oil (FSHO)
Broad-spectrum hemp oil
CBD isolate
The difference between these options is the type of phytonutrients found within. FSHO contains not just CBD but other cannabinoids, terpenes, and more found in the hemp plant, including up to 0.3% THC. This small amount of THC is enough to show up on some drug tests.
Broad-spectrum CBD oils are similar to FSHO, but without any THC. Likewise, CBD isolate products should contain only CBD. It is best to find a CBD without any THC contents to ensure there are no false-positive results on a drug test.
The logic stands that a broad spectrum hemp oil or CBD isolate should have 0.0% THC and would not cause a positive drug test result. Unfortunately, things are not so simple.
Regulation is lacking in the CBD marketplace, as you may purchase a broad spectrum CBD product, only to find that it does actually contain some THC. This leaves consumers in a tricky position, because if you want to use CBD oil and know that you may be subject to a drug test, you need to be extremely cautious.
One of the best things to do is to look for a CBD company that provides a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on every batch of CBD oil. You can examine the COA to confirm that there is 0% THC.
Another good option is to get a CBD-only product at a marijuana dispensary once medical marijuana is legalized in the state. Products that will be provided in South Carolina dispensaries will be subject to higher testing standards than those that you find in stores or online. Therefore, products that claim to be CBD-only will be less likely to contain THC.
Final Thoughts on Using CBD
When using CBD oil, consumers should be aware that it can result in a positive drug test. While CBD itself will not cause a false-positive, many legal CBD products contain enough concentrations of THC to result in a positive drug test.
If you want to use CBD but are worried about drug tests, look for products that offer test results proving there is no THC found in it. And if you know that you will be drug tested soon, you can always take a week or two off of CBD until after you have been tested.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At South Carolina Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 781-6670, or simply reserve a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust!
Check out South Carolina Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information.