Does CBD Show Up On a Drug Test?

1. What Drugs Are Tested for in Urine Tests?
2. Does CBD Oil Show Up On a Drug Test?
3. Will CBD Show Up in a Hair Follicle Drug Test?
4. Other Factors that Can Cause Failed Drug Tests
5. How to Avoid a Positive Drug Test from CBD
6. CBD Isolate vs. Full/Broad-Spectrum CBD: THC Content
7. How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

If you are scheduled to take a drug test, whether for a new job or any other reason, and take cannabidiol (CBD) in any form, you’ll want to pay close attention to the contents, or you might fail the test. Does CBD show up on a drug test? The short answer—no. But it’s a bit more complicated than that. 

Regardless of the method you use to take CBD (taking CBD oil, vaping, eating gummies, etc.), the CBD itself won’t show up on a drug test. However, if the CBD contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), you may land yourself in hot water. THC is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis and is responsible for making you feel “high.”

CBD contains healing properties and comes from the same cannabis plant. However, the THC has been removed, leaving you with CBD (and none of the psychoactive feelings). However, CBD products (gummies, oils, etc.) contain small amounts of THC, which can make you fail a drug test. 

What Drugs Are Tested for in Urine Tests?

The most common form of drug tests screening is urine testing, which looks for:

• Marijuana
• Opioids (e.g., heroin, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl)
• Amphetamines 
• Cocaine
• Barbiturates (sedative-hypnotic drugs)
• Phencyclidine
• Steroids

These tests don’t screen you for CBD since it’s not an illegal controlled substance and doesn’t cause intoxicating effects. However, it is possible to fail a drug test when you’ve been taking CBD. 

Does CBD Oil Show Up On a Drug Test?

Many CBD oils contain trace amounts of THC (up to 0.3%). Although it’s such a small amount (not enough to make you feel high), it can still show up on a drug screening test. If your drug test shows positive for THC, it will make you fail, as the tester will read it as you’ve been smoking marijuana. 

If you have a drug test coming up, it’s best to stop taking CBD oil for at least a week prior, depending on several factors. 

Will CBD Show Up in a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

Similar to a urine test, CBD will not show up on a drug test using hair follicles. Instead, it’s the THC that you need to worry about. In fact, you need to be more worried about hair follicle drug tests if you have THC in your system, as it can remain in your hair for much longer than it stays in your system. 

THC can show up in a hair follicle drug test for months, depending on how long your hair is. 

Other Factors that Can Cause Failed Drug Tests

Even if you’ve been careful about avoiding THC, you may still end up with a positive drug test. This can happen for several reasons, such as:

• Contaminated CBD products: This could result from CBD products being produced in the same factory as THC products. 
• Secondhand marijuana smoke: you can end up with traces of THC in your system if you have been around people who smoke marijuana.
• Poppy seeds: The common black poppy seeds on bagels contain both codeine and morphine and can show up on a drug test. 
• Prescription medication: Some drugs may cause failed drug tests, such as weight loss pills which can show up as amphetamines.
• Antihistamines: If you have allergies, you might want to hold off taking any medication until after your drug test. Allergy meds like Benadryl and Advil PM can result in tests positive for PCP.
• Mouthwash: Mouthwash contains small amounts of alcohol. 
• Antibiotics: Some antibiotics can cause false positives on a drug test.

How to Avoid a Positive Drug Test from CBD

There are ways you can avoid failing a drug test if you use CBD, but it involves research and paying close attention to the products you buy. 

• Only use high-quality CBD products. 
• Research how the product is made to see if there’s a risk of cross-contamination with THC products. 
• Check the THC levels within each product (if the product doesn’t specify this, don’t take it). 
• Only use CBD products that contain CBD isolate, which means it’s 99% pure. 
• Only use CBD products derived from hemp plants, not marijuana.
• Don’t use any CBD products for at least a week before your drug test. 

CBD Isolate vs. Full/Broad-Spectrum CBD: THC Content

There are three different types of CBD to choose from:

• Full-spectrum CBD
• CBD isolate
• Broad-spectrum CBD

Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD products other extracts from the cannabis plant, such as:

• Terpenes
• Other cannabinoids
• Essential oils
• THC

The THC found in full-spectrum CBD products is usually fairly minimal (up to 0.3% only). However, even the smallest amount can show up on a drug test. 

CBD Isolate

On the other end of the spectrum is the purest form of CBD—CBD isolate. It contains no other compounds found in the cannabis plant, including THC, making it completely THC-free. This is the CBD you want to be taking if you have a drug test coming up, as it shouldn’t result in a failed test. 

Broad-Spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD also contains compounds other than CBD, but it typically doesn’t include any THC. It’s lives somewhere between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD.

How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

CBD typically stays in your body for anywhere from 2-5 days. However, this ranges from person to person. If you have a drug test scheduled, you should refrain from taking CBD in any form for at least a week—possibly longer depending on:

• How much you take: If you take a lot of CBD, it may take longer for your body to rid itself of it. 
• How often you take it: If you take CBD pretty regularly, it may stay in your body longer. 
• Your eating habits: CBD takes longer to digest if you take it on a full stomach. 
• Your body: Every body type is different—CBD could stay in your body for much longer than a week for various reasons, such as if you have a high body mass index (BMI) or slow metabolism.