Does CBD Oil Have THC?

First-time CBD oil users will often ask the same question before starting up a CBD regimen: “does CBD oil have THC?” The short answer is yes. CBD oil does contain trace amounts of THC. Federal law dictates that the hemp plant (a cultivar of marijuana) must contain no more than 0.3% THC. Most individuals that use CBD to treat their anxiety, pain, inflammation, or seizures won’t experience any hallucinatory effects, but there are a select few that may fail drug tests due to heavy CBD use.

How Is CBD Oil Made?

Before diving deep into the question “does CBD oil have THC?” it’s important to understand how CBD oil is sourced. The cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) can be extracted from both the marijuana and hemp plant. Hemp-derived CBD oils contain very low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid that gets you “high.” Cannabis-derived CBD oils will be CBD-rich, but also contain other cannabinoids like THC that can increase or decrease certain therapeutic and side effects.

CBD Extraction Methods

Once harvested, the cannabinoids are extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant using a variety of state-of-the-art methods including CO2 supercritical extraction. CO2 extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide to strip away the plant material (waxes and lipids) from the CBD. Other solvents like ethanol and butane have been used to separate cannabinoids from the plant. These extraction methods may leave behind very small amounts of THC (under 0.3%) which won’t lead to any side effects like heightened sensations or bursts of euphoria.

Will CBD Make You Fail A Drug Test?

After answering the question, “does CBD oil have THC?”, users may be wondering, “will CBD make me fail a drug test?”. Most individuals taking lab-tested and hemp-derived CBD oil from a trusted brand won’t have any trouble passing a drug test for employment or law enforcement. Some CBD users, however, have failed drug tests, which can occur for a variety of reasons. Although not common, individuals taking over 1,000 mg of CBD per day may trigger a false positive drug test.

Urine tests are the most common drug test due to its ease-of-use and inexpensiveness. Urine tests usually only look for THC and its metabolite 11-nor-delta9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH). These drug tests contain an immunoassay with antibodies that can detect cannabinoids at various cut-off points. The standard cut-off levels are 50 ng/mL, but some laboratories may detect lower amounts of THC metabolites.

CBD oil seems to be everywhere from convenience stores to online retailers. It’s hard to know which brands to trust. CBD consumers must ensure that their oils are lab tested for potency and contaminants. Additionally, it’s important to not exceed the recommended dosage amount to prevent a false positive on a drug test for THC. To completely avoid THC, some CBD isolates can provide all of the benefits without the worry of consuming THC.