Noted for its beneficial properties on the human body, CBD has enjoyed legal status in UK for several years. It is believed to be the only active compound in cannabis to have positive effects that can effectively combat certain diseases. Given its legalization, it has been removed from the category of narcotics. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychotropic or psychotic effects.
The good news is that you are not at risk when taking a drug test after consuming CBD. Generally, drug tests are designed to detect four groups of drugs. These are cannabis, more specifically THC, heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines. When you test positive for cannabis use, it will only mean one thing. The level of THC is high, which can be dangerous.
Between CBD consumption and drug testing, we take stock of the situation in this report.
What is CBD?
CBD CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of many molecules derived from cannabis. After extraction, it undergoes a refining process to produce several forms of CBD, including oil, capsules, herbal tea, etc. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which has intoxicating effects, CBD has positive properties. This is why it continues to gain popularity among many consumers in UK.
Its sale is legal, which explains why it is available in CBD shops and other stores. You can therefore purchase it freely without risking legal action. However, the sale of CBD in UK to adults only. This legal provision is part of the protection of minors against this type of activity. Given the bioavailability of THC in CBD products.
Drug testing: what does it have to do with CBD?
After consuming consuming CBD, you may be subject to a drug test. These are usually unexpected situations and it is often best to accept them as such. So, there should be no cause for concern if you have only taken CBD, not with an excessive THC level. Police checks for this type of screening are usually carried out in two different ways. First, with a saliva test, and then a urine or blood test for CBD.
Compared to the saliva screening test
It should be noted that saliva screening tests are not designed to detect CBD, given its legal status. This means that even after consuming it, it will be impossible for the device to detect it. However, there are some details that you absolutely need to know. A saliva drug test during a traffic stop can detect THC, which is a psychoactive compound.
Although most CBD products contain negligible amounts of THC, it does not go unnoticed by saliva test sticks. It should be noted that there is still a significant risk of testing positive when smoking CBD flowers in the form of joints. Generally, if the joint smoked contains more than 0.3% of the authorized THC, you will test positive in a drug test.
Hence the importance of always checking the descriptions of your CBD products, especially CBD flowers. It is important to note that a user who tests positive in a saliva test is immediately subjected to another test. This is a urine or blood test, which verifies whether or not the drug is actually present in your system.
Compared to urine and blood screening tests
The urine and blood tests as part of drug screening are not performed as frequently as saliva tests. They are only used when the police suspect the use of an illegal substance after a saliva test. In this case, the aim is to confirm or rule out the presence of THC in the body, not molecules from the CBD consumed. Therefore, you will only test positive if more than 0.3% THC is detected after analysis of your urine or blood.
When purchasingpurchasing CBD, you should take care to check the THC content and quality of the product you choose. Note that urine and blood tests are designed to detect traces of drugs consumed 10 days earlier.
What are the legal risks of consuming CBD?
As you may already have guessed, there are virtually no risks associated with consuming or possessing CBD. Of course, this is provided that your CBD products do not contain more than 0.3% THC. If they do, and you test positive, you will be subject to the penalties defined in this context. For example, you will have to pay a large fine to the government, as the use of illegal substances is a criminal offense in UK.
A user who tests positive for an excessive level of THC will also be reprimanded. Driving under the influence of drugs is also illegal. Unlike alcohol, which has a tolerance threshold, narcotics are subject to very specific restrictions. For this reason, it is not recommended to drive after consuming CBD. This would reduce the risk of testing positive for users who are unaware that they have consumed too much THC.
CBD consumption: what effects are likely to lead to police intervention?
CBD is said to have several positive effects on the body, including antidepressant effects. These are said to be very effective in helping you fall asleep. This further implies that it can be dangerous to drive after consuming cannabidiol. Far from being a sleeping pill, CBD, despite this positive effect, could expose you to accidents.
Poor driving is enough to get you pulled over by the police. This can be serious from a legal standpoint, as it jeopardizes the safety of other road users. Also, under the euphoric effects of THC, drivers are tempted to commit serious traffic offenses. This factor naturally attracts the attention of law enforcement officers, who may initiate drug testing.
Drug screening test: which drugs can be detected?
Drug drug tests are designed to detect specific groups of narcotics. These fall into four main categories: THC, amphetamines, opiates, and cocaine or crack.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC
THC needs no introduction. It is the main active compound in cannabis that is sought after in CBD drug screening tests. This substance can be detected between 6 and 10 hours after occasional use. However, for those who use it regularly, it can be detected by saliva testing even 7 days after consumption.
Amphetamines
A group of synthetic psychoactive drugs, amphetamines are also highly sought after in drug testing. Just like taking CBD with an excessive THC content, amphetamine use can also lead to abuse. These substances generally cause physical and psychological dependence over time. One of the major effects is the artificial manic syndrome observed in some individuals.
Amphetamines can be detected by a saliva test between 35 and 60 hours after consumption. It should be noted that these substances have nothing to do with CBD products. However, they can cause serious effects, just like excessive THC consumption.
Opiates
Like amphetamines, there are several categories of opiates. These are substances derived from opium or products with effects similar to opium. They include:
- Morphine hydrochloride;
- Nalbuphine;
- Hydromorphone;
- Methadone;
- Morphine sulfate, etc.
Please note that a CBD drug test, carried out between 37 and 48 hours after consuming opiates, may yield a positive result.
Crack and cocaine
Whether it is crack or cocaine, it is important to know that they can be detected up to two days after consumption. As a reminder, these substances are powerful stimulants that can be highly addictive. They generally have serious effects on both mental and physical health.
Drug testing and CBD: CBD consumption methods and the risks of testing positive
Due to its many positive effects, cannabidiol is now widely consumed, and its methods of consumption leave much to be desired. Some of these methods are likely to result in a positive drug test. These include sublingual administration, consumption via food, vaping, and smoking CBD flowers.
Administration or sublingual consumption
It is administered sublingually, specifically under the tongue. This method of consuming CBD involves placing theCBD oil under the tongue before swallowing it. Given the contact with saliva, a saliva drug test may be positive within a normal time frame. This will tend to be much more likely if the percentage of CBD consumed is high. This can be even more worrying if the product has a high THC content.
Similarly, excessive consumption of certain CBD candies can also lead to positive test results. The risk is reduced when you opt for CBD capsules, for example. Their form makes them easy to consume, avoiding prolonged contact with saliva.
Vaping a CBD product
CBD consumption CBD through vaping can also increase the risk of testing positive in drug tests. Some CBD e-liquids and resins are known to contain "high" substances that can produce the same effects as excessive THC. Also, the fact that e-cigarettes are a source of pleasure for some people may lead to a lack of vigilance regarding poor-quality CBD products. These products are known, among other things, for their high THC content.
Cigarettes made from CBD flowers
As mentioned earlier, smoking joints using CBD flowers is a method of consumption that can produce a positive test result. Intended for infusions, these flowers usually contain a high level of THC, i.e., above 0.3%. Therefore, simple or excessive use of these leaves is likely to cause you to test positive in a drug screening.
Consuming CBD with food
The risk of testing positive here is lower, but it is important to emphasize this point. Depending on the food supplemented with CBD oil, a test may come back positive or even negative. Even if CBD is not the substance the police are looking for, it is important to take precautions to avoid THC as much as possible.
What precautions should be taken when consuming CBD?
Regardless of the method used to consume CBD, it is important to know your dosage limit. First of all, you should be aware that there are no medical recommendations on the use or consumption of CBD. You are free to consume it, but only in normal doses. Indeed, after numerous studies, two CBD specialists, Leinow and Birnbaum, suggest three categories of CBD dosages :
The minimum dose or microdosing of CBD
The study by these specialists determines the microdose of CBD at a rate of between 0.5 and 20 mg per day. This will depend on your weight as a consumer. Better still, at this rate, the risk of testing positive in a drug test is virtually non-existent.
The standard or average dose of CBD
The average dose of CBD to be consumed per day is between 10 and 100 mg. As determined in their book "CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medical Cannabis," the THC content of certain CBD products at this rate is very minimal. Therefore, you are not at risk of testing positive during a drug screening.
