It is a common misconception that the use of CBD will not have any negative effect on drug test results. While Cannabidiol itself shouldn’t appear on results for a drug test, many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, which is the main active ingredient in marijuana. If THC is present, it can and will show up on a drug test. Therefore, in rare cases, the use of CBD before drug testing could result in a positive result. However, that all depends on the quality and composition of the product itself.

Do Some CBD Products Contain THC?

The FDA does not regulate most of the CBD products that you can purchase today. That not only means we don’t know the extent of the CBD effects of these products, but it also means that it can be challenging to find out what is in them. That is true even if the products are completely legal in your state.

Various factors affect how strong the THC content is in a CBD product. Factors like where the extra came from and how it was harvested could make THC contamination likely. There are also specific types of CBD that are less likely to have THC than others.

How Much THC Should Be Present to Show Up on Drug Screening Results?

Drug screening looks for THC or one of its primary metabolites, THC-COOH. In 2017, there were cut-off values established to avoid trace amounts of THC or THC-COOH from triggering a test and causing positive results. Therefore, passing a drug test does not necessarily mean there is not any THC or THC-COOH present in a person’s system. A negative drug test would indicate that the person’s THC or THC-COOH level is below the cut-off value. There are several testing methods, and they each have different cut-off values and different detection windows.

Here is some more information on the different cut off values for each type of test.

Urine Tests

Urine tests used to detect cannabis are quite common for businesses. With these tests, the THC-COOH level must be at a concentration of 50 ng/mL to trigger positive results. The detection window will vary depending on the dose and the frequency of cannabis use. Generally, THC metabolites can be found in urine between 3 to 15 days after use. Heavier users can have longer detection windows, some up to as many as 30 days after use.

Blood Tests

Blood tests are less common than urine tests when it comes to drug screening. They are very unlikely to be used for on-the-job testing. Blood tests are not typically used because THC is eliminated quickly from the bloodstream. THC is only detectable in plasma for up to five hours after use. However, the metabolites from THC can be detected up to seven days. Blood tests are typically used to determine current impairment, such as someone driving under the influence.

Saliva Tests

Saliva testing is not as common, and there are no cut-off limits established for detecting THC using this method. Therefore, it is unlikely that it would be used for workplace testing. THC is still detectable in oral fluids, but only for around 72 hours after use. However, it could be detectable longer than that for heavier cannabis users.

Do You Need Random Drug Testing for Your Job Site?

If you need random drug testing for your company, Soteria Screening Laboratories is here to help. We offer a broad range of testing options to ensure your business remains a safe and hazard-free place. Get in touch with us today to learn more.