Marijuana and some types of employment simply don’t mix. When truck drivers or employees operating heavy machinery are under the influence of marijuana, reaction times are slowed, and motor abilities dulled, a recipe for disaster. For this reason, many employers test workers for marijuana use. A common question business owners and HR managers have is whether false positives can occur with CBD oil. Does CBD show up on drug tests?
Do Drug Tests Look for CBD?
Drug tests for detecting marijuana use check for a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This compound is the psychoactive ingredient that gives marijuana its “high.” Cannabidiol (CBD) is generally obtained from the hemp plant and doesn’t lead to physical or mental impairment. There is no real need for CBD testing because the compound doesn’t have negative effects on employees.
Does CBD Oil Cause False Positives for Drug Testing?
Many people use CBD oil to help with stress and anxiety. Others use it to treat insomnia. This supplement can also provide pain relief and alleviate inflammation. If one of your employees uses CBD oil at home, will this cause a false positive during drug testing?
Technically, the answer is no. Because CBD and THC are two very different compounds, CBD doesn’t trigger marijuana drug tests.
Why technically? Sometimes, a person taking CBD oil can unknowingly end up with trace amounts of THC in their system, which would set off a drug test.
Does CBD Oil Have THC?
If CBD oil is promoted as a THC-free product, why would users end up having THC in their bodies? There are several reasons why this can happen.
1. Improper Extraction Methods
The way CBD oil is extracted can affect its THC content. If cross-contamination occurs when handling materials or processing lines handle several types of products, some THC can end up in the CBD oil. This is common with low-quality or cheaper products.
2. Mislabeling or False Claims
Many CBD oil products claiming to be THC-free actually aren’t. Manufacturers may deliberately mislabel their products to increase sales or save money during production.
According to Penn Medicine, this is the case with almost 70% of CBD extracts that people purchase online. Because CBD oil is marketed as a supplement, the FDA doesn’t regulate the claims or test the products for accuracy.
3. CBD Oil With Trace Amounts of THC
The hemp plant has far lower levels of THC than cannabis plants. That said, there can be trace levels. Manufacturers are supposed to ensure their products contain no more than 0.3% THC, but this doesn’t always happen. If a manufacturer produces CBD oil from cannabis instead of hemp, levels of THC can be even higher.
4. Secondhand Smoke
Can being in a room with a person smoking marijuana make an employee fail a drug test? It’s possible. This doesn’t normally happen, but extreme cases such as being in a closed room with a heavy marijuana smoker or in an automobile that doesn’t have ventilation could trigger a positive result on a drug test.
ARCpoint Labs of Martinez For Workplace Drug Testing
If it’s possible for workers to have false positives from CBD oil, what can employers do to minimize the risks of making a mistake? One recommendation is to test for marijuana use only when physical signs mean intoxication is suspected. It’s also important to choose workplace drug testing you can trust. Contact our team at ARCpoint Labs of Martinez, CA, for more testing recommendations.
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