Cannabis oil, more commonly referred to as CBD or hemp-derived CBD, is a potency compound derived from cannabis Sativa plants and used medicinally. It comes in various forms including whole hemp flower for tea brewing or smoking as well as extract oils, capsules and gummies. Depending on the product, cannabis oil may contain various levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound that gives users an intoxicating “high.” Cannabis oil is most often consumed through vaping or oral consumption; however, its application to skin can also be utilized. People using cannabis oil for medical reasons, such as pain relief, insomnia or anxiety may not worry that it will appear on a drug test; however, job hunters might worry that CBD could produce a false-positive result on presumptive screening tests administered by potential employers.
Drug tests typically detect THC, and laboratories typically utilize immunoassays to detect it in urine, blood and hair samples. Most CBD products made from hemp contain only trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3% according to legal regulations), however some full spectrum CBD products that aren’t properly regulated may contain enough for a positive test result.
THC alters the human body by attaching to a certain receptor known as CB1 in the human brain, which controls movement, pain, mood, appetite and memory. CBD interacts with CB2 receptors instead and helps reduce inflammation while simultaneously creating a sense of calm.
THC levels vary based on how often and intensely an individual consumes marijuana, with heavy daily users possibly testing positive for up to one month after inhaling marijuana or CBD products, their diet, time of use, water consumption, metabolism rate, metabolism issues or medications that could interfere with drug tests.
If you plan to apply for a job and use cannabis or CBD oil, it would be beneficial for your body to allow time for detoxifying the THC and its metabolites, according to Kaminski of Michigan State University. This may help avoid an unpleasant surprise during an employment drug screening test. Select high-quality CBD products that have been third-party lab tested and contain no detectable THC, to increase your chances of passing your test. Furthermore, avoid eating any food containing THC for several days prior to taking your exam. Avoiding THC through digestion will help create an accurate portrait of your true THC level and avoid false positives, particularly important when taking full-spectrum CBD products.