Article · 3 min read
CBD and Drug Testing
Will CBD make you fail a drug test? Learn how drug tests detect THC, why full spectrum CBD can cause a positive result, and what to do if you are tested at work.
This is one of the most important questions people ask before trying CBD. If your employer conducts drug screenings, the stakes are real. You need a straight answer.
Here it is: drug tests look for THC, not CBD. But full spectrum CBD products contain trace THC, so they can cause a positive test. If a positive result would put your job at risk, read this whole article before you buy anything.
What Drug Tests Actually Look For
Standard workplace drug tests screen for THC (specifically, the metabolite THC-COOH). They do not screen for CBD. A product that contains only CBD would not be expected to trigger a positive result for THC.
The most common test is the urine immunoassay, which has a threshold of 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) for THC metabolites. Below that level, the test returns negative.
Why Full Spectrum CBD Can Cause a Positive Test
The risk comes from THC content in the CBD product -- not from CBD itself.
Full spectrum CBD legally contains less than 0.3% THC. That small amount, taken consistently over time, can accumulate in your body and potentially push THC metabolite levels above the test threshold. This is especially true at higher doses. Everyone's body is different, and no brand can promise how a specific test will read for a specific person.
Broad spectrum CBD claims to have THC removed, but the process is not always perfect. Some products may contain trace amounts that were not fully eliminated.
Mislabeled products are another risk. Studies have found that a significant percentage of CBD products contain more THC than the label states. If the product has not been independently tested, you do not actually know what is in it.
Where Cross Country Wellness Products Fall
Our CBD oils, capsules, and topical cream are full spectrum. They are Farm Bill compliant, contain less than 0.3% THC, and every batch is third-party lab tested. That means they contain trace THC, and they may cause a positive result on a drug test.
Our CBD + CBN gummies had THC not detected in lab testing. Even so, we cannot promise how any individual drug test will read, so the same advice applies.
If you are drug tested and a positive result would affect your job, full spectrum products may not be the right choice for you. We would rather you know that now than find out at a screening.
How to Protect Yourself
If you are drug tested, follow these guidelines:
Talk to your employer first. Some employers have specific policies about CBD use. Knowing the policy ahead of time protects you.
Read the Certificate of Analysis (COA). The COA shows the THC result for the batch. If it shows any THC at all, the product contains THC.
Buy from brands that publish COAs. If you cannot verify the THC content before you buy, you are taking an unnecessary risk.
Be consistent with your source. Switching between brands means switching between testing standards. Find a brand you trust and stick with it.
Ask about testing before a scheduled screening. If you know a test is coming, talk to your employer or testing provider before you use any hemp product containing THC.
The Bottom Line
CBD alone is not what drug tests look for. THC is. Full spectrum products, including ours, contain trace THC, and that can be enough to cause a positive result for some people.
If you are drug tested, the safest approach is to talk to your employer before you start, read the lab results for any product you consider, and keep a copy of the COA for your records. If you are not sure, ask us at info@crosscountrywellness.com before you order.
Written by the Cross Country Wellness team.
Reviewed by J Bird before publication.
*Not evaluated by the FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
