The legalization of CBD means hemp products have made their way into supermarkets, gas stations, pharmacies, and your wellness centers. Now that it’s more accessible, many question how CBD can affect your job, especially when it comes to drug testing. One common question we get is, will CBD make me fail a drug test?
For firefighters and first responders, this issue can cause some concern. But not to worry – we’re here to help clear things up. Simply put: no, CBD on its own will not make you fail a drug test. Keep reading to learn about the reasons why.
(With the above being said, all CBD products are not the same, and perhaps the most important initial suggestion we can make is to always make sure you’re purchasing from trusted sources.)
[See our article on what to look for in a lab test]
The Increased Accessibility of CBD
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that is found in cannabis plants. It provides the benefits of relaxation and relief without experiencing the high from THC. Because of these potential medicinal benefits, consumers are turning more and more to CBD products for a potentially better wellness solution.
According to Medical News Today, “In animal and preliminary human studies, CBD has demonstrated some potential therapeutic effects, including reducing inflammation, relieving pain, controlling anxiety, controlling psychosis, promoting neuroprotection and preventing vomiting.”
If purchasing and consuming hemp-derived CBD, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) says it should contain no more than 0.3% THC.
Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum
To understand CBD is to understand the hemp plant and the properties it offers. When talking about CBD you will hear the term full spectrum versus broad spectrum. But what does this mean? What’s the difference?
Full spectrum CBD contains entirely different compounds than broad spectrum CBD. Full spectrum CBD will contain several naturally occurring plant extracts such as terpenes and other cannabinoids, including up to 0.3% THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD also contains several cannabis plant compounds, but typically does not include THC. Furthermore, there are products that are made with CBD isolates, which is a pure form of CBD without any other cannabinoids or compounds.
[See our article on full spectrum vs. broad spectrum CBD for first responders]
CBD, THC, & Drug Testing
According to Forbes: “there was a small 2021 study in JAMA Psychiatry that evaluated urine samples of 15 participants who used full-spectrum, hemp-derived CBD and found detectable levels of THC in seven study participants four weeks after discontinuing use. The researchers concluded that using hemp-derived products specifically doesn’t always mean you’re in the clear when it comes to drug testing.”
However, broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate products are less likely than full-spectrum CBD to be contaminated with detectable levels of THC. This is due to the extraction methods used specifically to remove THC from the formulations.
So, Will CBD Cause You to Fail a Drug Test?
Once again, CBD does not cause a failed drug test. In actuality, the metabolites of THC do. Ensuring that you purchase from a trusted source of broad spectrum CBD or CBD isolate will be the best way to pass any drug test.
Here at Rescue 1 CBD, we always test every single batch of our Broad Spectrum CBD oil in order to ensure that it contains 0.000% THC.
These results are available on our site as well as via a QR code on the bottle.
I hope you got something out of this article. If you did, please share it around the firehouse so we can spread the word about CBD that’s safe for the job.
*Always be sure to consult a physician before making any changes to your health or fitness regimen.*
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About Rescue 1 CBD
At Rescue 1 CBD, our mission is to challenge the status quo of health and safety in the US Fire Service, while also bringing to light the potential of the cannabidiol compound to be a game changer for wellness.
We are also here to provide products and information to help first responders stay healthy well into retirement. Our content is aimed at leaving the Fire Service better than we found it by letting firefighters have a more common sense-based standard for physical and mental wellness.
Our enduring goals are: improving our first responders’ sleep and physical/mental health and helping them to cut back on the number of medications required to do what they do on a daily basis.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Disclosure
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. This website contains general information about diet, health, and nutrition. The information is not advice and is not a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.