Why CBD Drug Testing Can Result in a Fail

It’s troubling to hear stories about people failing CBD drug tests. I have talked about it before, drug tests are not looking for cannabidiol (CBD), but instead THC, or more specifically, THCA. The only reason a person taking a CBD product would fail a test is due to there being trace amounts of THC in the product they are ingesting. A high quality CBD product will come with accurate labeling and a certificate of analysis that clearly shows how much THC/ml is contained within the product, if any. Sugar and Kush CBD products come with a lab test certificate and since we only use a pure CBD isolate, it clearly shows there is no THC in our cookies, gummies, oils or topicals.

THC in CBD Products

Hemp derived CBD is legal on the federal level and people interested in taking it should not have to worry about failing a drug test. THCA turns into THC once it becomes decarboxylated after being heated or having some other catalyst applied to it. If there is enough THC in the product, the consumer will eventually start feeling some of the psychoactive effects caused by THC. The more THC, the more psychoactive it is for the consumer. It is the impairment caused by THC that employers are concerned about, regardless of whether it is a government or private sector job. CBD has no psychoactive effects, unlike THC, and so does not cause impairment.

How Much THC Results in a Failed Drug Test

An employer drug test in most states, and on the federal level, typically test urine for concentrations of 50 nanograms/ml of THCA or more according to the NCBI site. If the test comes back positive, they will test it again and if it returns with a concentration of 15 nanograms/ml of THCA or more, then it is officially a failed drug test. It is important to note that if employers are concerned specifically with employees being impaired by the psychoactive effects of THC while at work, positive readings of THCA do not necessarily indicate that the THC is active or that the person has ever been impaired at work. Also, 50 nanograms/ml of THC is not enough of the cannabinoid to cause psychoactive effects.

Some States Trying to Make Changes

In consideration of the legality of hemp derived CBD and the fact that current drug testing policies are far from perfect, some states are trying to make some changes. Tennessee is considering a bill that would increase the cutoff of THCA concentrations to 150 nanograms/ml. State Representative Bill Terry is co-sponsoring the bill that would loosen up drug testing policies so that CBD consumers would not have to worry as much.

“It’s a yes or no pass fail type test and the way the tests currently are is so low of a threshold that it’s a rebuttable presumption that you are guilty of taking an illegal substance when you’re not,” said State Representative Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro).

In order to stay safe, you need to look for CBD products that have verifiable CBD lab tests and a certificate of analysis. Look at CBD reviews and see if reports have been made about inaccuracies on the label. See if the product is made with a pure CBD isolate. Do your due diligence and you will find a great CBD product that will not jeopardize your career.

Read more at WKRN.com.