By Noah Chen

Because of its potential health benefits and calming effects, CBD has become more popular since its legalization in 2018.

Many jobs and institutions require drug tests these days, and as more and more people use CBD, the question keeps coming up: Can I pass a drug test if I use CBD? This makes sense because of CBD’s association with marijuana, which is full of THC, the compound that drug tests look for when testing for marijuana.

While both CBD and THC come from the same plant (the Cannabis plant), they have very different allowable levels of THC. If you are required to be drug tested for employment or any other purposes, please keep reading to learn more.

The difference between hemp and marijuana

Hemp and marijuana both come from the same plant — cannabis. While they hold no botanical distinction, they do have a legal one. Hemp, by definition, has no more than 0.3 percent total THC on a dry weight basis. Marijuana, on the other hand, has tons of it. Delta 9 THC is the cannabinoid that makes you feel “high.”

Both marijuana and hemp contain CBD, but it’s all in the levels. Most hemp has far higher levels of CBD than marijuana since it’s the primary compound manufacturers are looking for. When it comes to marijuana, the extra cannabinoids present are just a bonus to the THC.

All of this leads to a distinct difference in the effect hemp and marijuana has when used. Because it contains less than 0.3 percent THC, hemp/CBD won’t get you high, but the effects of CBD may have a variety of health benefits. Not only that, but some users find CBD more relaxing and enjoyable without the psychotropic effects of Delta 9 THC.

Finding clean CBD

Because hemp and marijuana are the same plant species, growing hemp that is below the legal limits of THC is not always the easiest thing. Should a hemp crop test “hot” before harvesting, it’s destroyed. This ensures quality control when it comes to THC levels in hemp products.

There are also remediation processes that can happen after harvest should a batch of CBD test too high in THC levels.

To ensure you’re getting as little THC into your system as possible though, opt for T-free hemp-derived products. This is the processing stage where all the THC gets removed. They may cost a little more, but you’re paying for the purity of the product.

Ultimately, given the variety in the types of drug tests, the sensitivity of each, and the possibility of false positive tests, there is no guarantee that you won’t fail a drug test after consuming CBD products, even if you consume Zero THC products. The best course of action is to talk to your employer or drug testing provider prior to any testing to make them aware of the fact that you are currently consuming CBD or are interested in consuming it. If in doubt, avoid using CBD products if you are in a job or other position that requires drug tests.

Getting the right hemp-derived products

If you’re looking for T-free hemp products, Arbor Vita8 can’t be beat. We offer premium Zero THC CBD tinctures. Derived from 99 percent pure CBD isolate, these are lab-tested to ensure their THC levels are at zero. You can buy these tinctures in three flavors, chocolate mint, orange, natural flavors. Each flavor also comes in multiple dosage options.
To learn more about the high-quality products available through Arbor Vita8, visit our online store today.