It is still unclear whether taking CBD can make you fail a drug test. Scientists are not ready to give a definitive answer because of several factors. 

Among the factors that can cause complications include the fact that some CBD products such as full-spectrum CBD oil contains small amounts of THC. Furthermore, your body can convert CBD to THC and this can show up in drug tests. But is this something that you need to worry about?

Probably not!

Take extra measures by researching the various CBD products that you intend to use, and you will not have a problem. Let's explore the topic further. 

Will CBD Appear in a Drug Test?

Usually, the main focus for people that administer drug tests is on substances that cause impairment. CBD does not cause impairment and is mostly not subject to many drug tests. According to the World Health Organization, cannabinoid does not cause any impairment and is primarily safe for consumption. Based on this fact, not many organizations or people bother to test for CBD, and so you should be safe.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the majority of drug screenings look for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, Phencyclidine (PCP) and opiates. Marijuana here refers to THC which causes inebriating effects in cannabis Sativa. Please note that CBD from the hemp plant does not cause these inebriating effects.

But that is not the only test available. For example, the 10-panel test can detect all the above listed in addition to Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Methaqualone, Propoxyphene, and Methadone. 

Still, organizations and law enforcement could ask laboratories to develop tests for CBD. However, it does not seem like organizations are interested in testing for CBD, and so you should be safe as a CBD consumer. 

It also depends on the type of CBD product that you consume. Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate do not contain THC, and so some of the thorough tests may not detect it. On the other hand, full-spectrum CBD may contain trace amounts of THC, but the numbers are too small to cause any effect. Legally, CBD products should not have more than 0.3% THC. However, some states like Virginia and Georgia allow CBD products to have up to 5% THC, which can cause some inebriating effects and make you fail a drug test.

The FDA does not control cannabidiol and so manufacturers can mislabel their products. If worried about drug tests, you can always ask for lab tests to understand the breakdown of compounds. 

How long will the marijuana compounds stay in the body system?

When preparing to take a drug test, you may need to know how long a particular marijuana compound stays in the body. The most commonly tested cannabinoid is THC. Scientists can tell how long THC stays in the body, and it's mostly based on the frequency of consumption. If you are an infrequent user, the body can eliminate THC within a few days. Unfortunately for frequent users, it can take weeks or even months to clear out of the system.

Then again, it can take up to a week for CBD to get out of your system, according to several studies. 

Please note that your hair contains a record of the chemicals that you take. After a month of abstinence, your urine sample may indicate negative for THC. Nevertheless, your hair sample can show traces of THC, for up to 3 months of sobriety. It doesn’t matter whether you are an infrequent user or not. 

Your body converting CBD to THC

In most cases, taking CBD oil or CBD products should not make you fail a drug test. Still, there is a complication that you should know about before deciding to start taking CBD products.

Some researchers have found that some external factors can convert cannabidiol to THC. These external factors are similar to your body's internal environment. If that were to happen, then you would fail a drug test. But is this something to worry about?

The most recent research indicates that this conversion does not occur in the body, and so you may not need to worry about anything. Furthermore, the laboratory conditions may not match your body entirely. And if, for some reason, some CBD was converted into THC, it would not be enough to show up in a drug test. You would need to take a lot of CBD for it to be converted and show up in the drug test. 

Is Taking CBD Worth the Risk?

Failing a marijuana drug test can have detrimental effects on your career life. Apart from Nevada, which prevents employers from rejecting applicants with positive drug tests, most employers in the other States would not hire people with a positive drug test. 

Even if you are in a state where marijuana is legal, your application may be rejected or lose your job for testing positive for marijuana. In the future, more States may pass laws that are similar to Nevada. in the interim, it is up to you to take extra measures not to fail a drug test. 

Hemp-based CBD will not make you fail a drug test. Nonetheless, always make sure to check the lab reports if you are worried about drug tests.