Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

Technically, cannabinol (CBD) use can be seen on standard drug tests, but it won't trigger a positive test result.

Drug testing for CBD products is uncommon.

Drug tests are designed to flag illicit drug use, and because CBD isn't on the list of Controlled Substances, it's not something government or workplace drug testing screens for. However, using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the main psychoactive component in cannabis — will trigger a positive test result.

Find out how you can still use CBD products and pass a drug test.

CBD Isn't A Controlled Substance

CBD isn't listed as a Controlled Substance in the United States because of key legal distinctions made in the 2018 Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill legalized hemp, distinguishing it from marijuana plants, effectively making hemp-derived products legal at a federal level as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.

Before the 2018 Farm Bill, all cannabinoids from the Cannabis sativa plant, including CBD, were classified as Schedule I Controlled Substances. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has since clarified that CBD from legally grown hemp isn't a controlled substance.

CBD from legally cultivated hemp is not a controlled substance under federal law, while CBD from marijuana (with more than 0.3% THC) remains federally illegal unless allowed by state law.

Difference Between THC and CBD

CBD and THC are both natural chemical compounds found in cannabis, known as cannabinoids, but they have different effects on your body.

THC is the compound that gets you high, and it's what drug tests are designed to detect. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t have the psychoactive effects of THC and is not usually screened for in standard drug tests.

Since CBD doesn't make you feel high, it doesn't produce the same metabolites that THC does —meaning it's generally undetectable. However, issues can arise if the CBD product you use contains trace amounts of THC.

Types of Drug Tests and Their Sensitivity to THC

Even trace amounts of THC in CBD products can be detected by some drug tests. Cannabinoids can build up over time in body fat, meaning frequent use of CBD products containing THC can result in a higher risk for a positive drug test. Here's a look at some common drug screening types and their detection windows for drug use.

Common Reasons for Failing a Drug Test While Using CBD

Even though CBD itself isn't a controlled substance, using CBD products can still result in a failed drug test under certain conditions. Here are the most common reasons why:

Consuming Large Amounts of Full-Spectrum CBD

Even though legal full-spectrum CBD products contain only trace THC (<0.3%), frequent or high-dose use can lead to THC buildup in fat cells. Over time, even a tiny amount of THC can accumulate and be detected on a urine, blood, or saliva drug test.

THC Contamination in CBD Products

Some poorly regulated CBD products could contain more THC than labeled, leading to an unexpected positive drug test.

Cross-contamination during processing could also introduce THC into otherwise THC-free products. And sometimes, products advertised as THC-free (broad-spectrum or isolate) may still contain detectable levels of THC. This is why it's so important to purchase CBD products with third-party lab testing to verify the actual THC content.

Use of Delta-8, Delta-10, or Other THC Analogs

Many hemp-based products contain alternative cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, or THC-O, which can come from hemp but can still show up as THC on drug tests.

Standard drug tests are not sophisticated enough to distinguish between different forms of THC.

How To Use CBD and Pass A Drug Test

Your risk of failing a drug test depends on the type of CBD product you use. Here’s how to choose wisely:

• Choose THC-free products: CBD isolate products contain pure CBD without cannabinoids or terpenes. They might not feel as strong as a full spectrum product, but they're a safe bet. Another option is broad-spectrum CBD, which does contain other cannabinoids and terpenes alongside CBD but is THC-free (if properly manufactured).

• Check lab tests: Third-party lab tests aren't a requirement from manufacturers but they've become a standard, so it's a good idea to check the provided lab result to make sure the CBD products are 100% THC-free.

• Avoid high-risk products at least 2 weeks before testing: full-spectrum, Delta-8, Delta-10, THCA, and all other forms of THC can trigger a positive drug test, so it's best to abstain until you're in the clear.

• Be aware of false positives: Some low-quality drug tests can mistake CBD as THC; if you test positive and haven't consumed THC, request a confirmation test (GC-MS or HPLC), which can distinguish between CBD and THC metabolites.

Can CBD Products Cause A Positive Drug Test?

Yes, it's possible to trigger a positive test result with CBD products — but not because of CBD itself.

The main reason someone might fail a drug test after using CBD is if the product contains trace amounts of THC. Even though full-spectrum CBD products are required by law to contain less than 0.3% THC, poor quality control, mislabeling, or taking high doses could result in enough THC to cause a positive result.

This is why it's so important to purchase CBD products from trusted brands that provide third-party lab testing to ensure transparency about what's in the product.

Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test In Hair, Blood, Or Saliva?

These tests are still looking for THC metabolites, so using broad-spectrum CBD products won't result in a positive drug test. Each test can show different time frames for substances in your system.

Is There A CBD Drug Test?

We're not aware of any specific CBD drug test, but even if a CBD oil drug test did exist, since CBD is federally legal and has no psychoactive effects, it's doubtful that anyone would be screening for CBD. Most drug tests are looking specifically for THC. 

What To Do If You Fail A Drug Test After Taking CBD?

If you fail a drug test and believe CBD is the cause, let your employer or the testing party know that you have been using CBD and provide any documentation you have, like product labels or lab test results.

Some employers may be understanding, especially if you can prove that the CBD product you used was meant to be THC-free. Sometimes, you may request a retest, mainly if the original test was a urine test, which can sometimes give false positives.

Is There THC In CBD Products?

Yes, there can be THC in full-spectrum CBD products.

In 2018, the farm bill passed legalizing hemp plants and their products as long as they contain 0.3% or less Delta 9 THC. A full-spectrum extract consists of all of the cannabis plant compounds necessary to produce the optimal benefits of the plant. These compounds include cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Depending on how many milligrams of full-spectrum CBD oil you take (upwards of thousands of milligrams), you may end up taking enough THC to test positive on a drug test. 

Another way THC could end up in CBD products is if a company mislabels its products. 

The hemp and CBD industry doesn't have as many regulatory systems in place as recreational marijuana. This means that CBD product quality can vary, and some products end up testing for higher than legal levels of THC. In such an unregulated market, it's up to you as a consumer to research the product.  The best practice is to read over the company’s lab analysis. 

Does Topical CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

Topical CBD or THC products, like creams, lotions, and balms, when used on the skin, won't show up on a drug test. This is because cannabinoids aren't absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin, and because drug tests look for THC or its metabolites in urine, blood, or saliva, using topical cannabis plant products is highly unlikely to result in a positive drug test.

The Takeaway: CBD and Drug Testing

CBD use rarely causes a failed drug test. Cannabis has become more accessible across the United States, both socially and medically, and some states have started to reconsider their stance on drug testing for cannabis use.

For example, Nevada has prohibited employers from refusing to hire someone based on a positive THC test (with some exceptions), and New York City has banned pre-employment marijuana testing in most cases.

While there is still progress to be made, the increasing acceptance of cannabis is leading to changes in how drug tests are administered.

If you're worried about failing upcoming urine drug tests, stick to THC-free CBD products that have third-party lab testing to verify their contents or abstain from CBD use altogether for about 2 weeks before your test.