Does CBD Show up on a Drug Test? [Urine Drug Test and Blood Work]

Although there isn’t such a thing as a CBD oil drug test, your typical drug test usually screens cannabis in general. Although this ultimately depends on the state and company policies. 

Because CBD is a cannabis-derived substance, it becomes a bit confusing to understand whether or not you can fail a drug test due to CBD. Up ahead, we’ll learn how to identify CBD products that carry a risk of a failed drug test and how to avoid them.

What is CBD?

Cannabis is an incredibly versatile plant that has been used for thousands of years for various purposes. Many millenary cultures even use cannabis as a part of their religious practices.

The plant can be split up into two different types: marijuana and hemp. 

Marijuana is the psychoactive version of cannabis, probably the one we’re most accustomed to consuming. Hemp, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive version of the plant.

These differences are mainly accounted for by the contrast in THC and CBD content between both plants. Marijuana has an unusually high THC content and low CBD content, while hemp has a high CBD content and low THC content (kept under <0.3%).

Out of 113+ total cannabinoids, THC is the only one with psychoactive properties, and marijuana is the primary source. Like the other 111 cannabinoids found in the plant, CBD has a non-psychoactive profile.

This is how marijuana gained its notoriety and illegal status over the past few decades. Subsequently, it’s also what is giving hemp its new-found reputation and federally legal status.

Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD) is entirely legal. Not only that, but any extract sourced from hemp plants is also federally legal across all 50 states since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.

Common Effects of CBD

Since CBD research has picked up in the last few years, the list of potential therapeutic effects of CBD grows long:

1. Reducing Inflammation

2. Relieving Pain

3. Controlling Anxiety

4. Helping Cope with Mental Disorders

5. Antiemetic Properties

6. Reducing Seizures

7. Combating Neurodegenerative Disorders

Cannabis has been linked to a variety of medicinal attributes and benefits. CBD alone had become a significant topic of interest for many cannabis companies since it gained its federally legal status.

However, this is a bit of a double-edged sword because now companies have a real motivation to produce CBD products. As they are now legally allowed to farm, harvest, and distribute hemp and its derivatives, many companies only see ‘potential profit’ and leave quality as a secondary priority.

Bearing this in mind, it’s not uncommon to run into low-quality products. 

Retailers like Hemmfy are precious because they provide U.S.-regulated products from brands that meet all safety, quality, and legal requirements, allowing you to shop safely and conveniently.

CBD and Drug Tests: Does It Show Up In the Results?

According to a 2020 article, this is the list of substances that urine drug tests usually target:

1. Alcohol

2. Amphetamines

3. Benzodiazepines

4. Opiates

5. Cocaine

6. Cannabis

So, the short answer to the question above is ‘no.’ 

Drug tests don’t usually target CBD. There is no such thing as a CBD oil drug test. There is only a urine drug test that targets cannabis and targets THC specifically.

Blood work can also be done to detect THC, but it is not necessarily the test most entities use for this purpose.

The tricky bit here is that CBD is a component of cannabis, and at times, it may carry small amounts of THC with it. Even if they seem negligible amounts, this is where the line tends to get a little blurry.

Does CBD Show up on a Drug Test? [Urine Test and Blood Work]

CBD will not and should not show up in a regular drug test. Standard urine drug tests and blood work don’t screen for CBD.

However, CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, and even Hemp carries low amounts of THC. THC will likely show up in a standard drug test if the test is accurate enough.

You run the risk of failing a drug test after taking CBD, even if CBD does not show up in the test results.

A failed drug test result can also depend on the frequency with which the person consumes THC and the type of test used.

A drug test will detect THC for a more extended period on people that consume THC more often. The more you consume, the larger your detection window will be.

Urine tests may detect THC up to 30 days after use. This detection window can even be more significant if the subject is a widespread consumer.

Blood tests are said to only detect THC for up to a 4-hour window. The main reason why testing entities usually use a urine test is to see THC consumption.

Can You Fail a Drug Test Due to CBD?

‘Yes’... theoretically. CBD products may contain THC, even if it is in minor, almost negligible amounts.

Here’s how to avoid it:

Your CBD product contains THC or not will depend almost entirely on the type of CBD extract used to manufacture it. 

There are three types of CBD extracts:

1. Full Spectrum CBD

2. Broad Spectrum CBD

3. CBD Isolate

Broad Spectrum and CBD Isolate contain exactly 0% THC. Broad Spectrum CBD includes a mix of different cannabinoids and other essential components but no THC trace amounts. Isolate extracts contain ONLY CBD.

Conclusion

Drug tests don’t screen for CBD, so there isn’t a risk of CBD showing up on a drug test result. However, it’s essential to understand the difference between CBD products you consume because some could have small THC trace amounts. 

Contrary to CBD, drug tests screen for THC. Consuming THC could result in a failed drug test even at low quantities, but the detection window will depend on the frequency with which you consume THC and the type of test taken.

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