Can Taking CBD Cause You to Fail A Drug Test?

Whether it’s a step in being accepted for a new job, part of a routine screening, or other situation, many people are required to take a drug screening at some point in their lives. A typical drug test administered for work will consist of a saliva, blood, or urine sample to test for controlled substances like marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, nicotine, and alcohol.

Though marijuana has become more widely legalized for medical and recreational use in the U.S., many employers and other institutions still have a zero-tolerance policy. The standard drug test used for most initial screenings reads “hot” if it detects the presence of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC is a cannabinoid cousin of CBD, alongside over 100 other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The prevalence of THC in marijuana is what causes us to experience a “high.”

Does CBD Oil Impact Drug Tests?

The short answer: it can. It depends on the product. 

Full-spectrum hemp extracts, like Bluebird’s core line, do contain minute amounts of THC - less than 0.3% by dry weight per U.S. federal regulations. This means that, especially with continued use of concentrated CBD products over time, it’s possible for this small amount of THC to show a positive result. 

Broad-spectrum or CBD isolate products including Bluebird’s THC-Free* CBD Oil, in contrast, purifies the end product of THC. These products are ideal for civil servants, athletes, or those with THC-sensitivities. 

Related Post: CBD Isolate v. Full-Spectrum CBD

If you’ve been taking a full-spectrum hemp extract (or even using a full-spectrum CBD lotion) and are anticipating an upcoming drug test, we recommend transitioning from your full-spectrum hemp extract to a THC-Free* blend no fewer than 30 days before the test.

While the 0.3% limitation is also such a small amount of THC that it is very rare for it to turn up on drug tests, we always recommend erring on the side of caution. 

Every body, every metabolism, and every endocannabinoid system is different. 

Bluebird’s THC-Free CBD Options

Bluebird Botanicals makes it our goal to make happy, healthy lifestyles radically accessible to all, and that’s why we offer CBD isolate products for our customers.

Bluebird’s CBD isolate is a highly purified and crystalline CBD extract derived from USA grown hemp. It can be taken on its own but, because it is so taste-neutral, our isolate easily mixes into a CBD tea. You could even use it to make a CBD bath bomb. 

For a more traditional CBD oil experience, Bluebird created our THC-Free* CBD Oil. This blend is emulsified in organic fractionated coconut (MCT) oil. It’s a favorite among our customers with THC restrictions or sensitivities, but can also be a great product to supplement your existing CBD regimen.