“Does CBD oil have THC?” is one of the most common questions we are asked. The answer is simple yet requires more than a simple “yes” or “no” response.
The short answer to this question is yes, CBD oil does contain some THC. However, it is a negligible amount of up to .3% THC or less and thus will not get you high as a traditional THC product would. CBD oil products contain zero THC, but before we get into product types, it’s important to know where your cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from.
CBD oil is a remedy that has become popular with people looking for relief from common ailments. It is growing in popularity among those who are looking for ways to address pain without the mind-altering effects of pharmaceutical drugs or of smoking marijuana.
CBD oil is made when CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant. The oil is then diluted with hemp seed oil or coconut oil. Many use CBD oil to help with anxiety and chronic pain. However, there are many questions that people have about the use of CBD oil.
CBD Derived from Hemp vs Marijuana
CBD oil can be derived from both hemp and marijuana. On the federal level, CBD derived from hemp is legal (if below .3% THC). CBD derived from marijuana is illegal on the federal level. All of the products we have listed on our site are derived from hemp.
Hemp and marijuana are terms which are often used interchangeably, however, these plants are cultivated for different reasons. Hemp is high in CBD content while low in THC content. It is also cultivated for its seeds and stalks and is also used in textiles, food, cooking oils, biofuels, clothes, and more. Marijuana is high in THC content and low in CBD content.
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What’s the Difference Between CBD and THC?
Both CBD and THC interact with our bodies natural Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Endocannabinoid receptors occur naturally in our body and assist with the control of appetite, pain, mood, inflammation, memory and more.
The infamous compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in marijuana is known for the euphoric “high” a person experiences when ingesting the substance. THC works by binding to our body’s natural endocannabinoid receptors to create a high.
CBD may help regulate our cannabinoid receptors by working as an antagonist and potentially blocking what is able to interact with these receptors.
CBD can help to prevent the action of THC in the CB1 receptor and, for that reason, CBD may help to negate the intoxicating effects of THC. Thus, the biggest difference between these compounds is CBD does not contain intoxicating properties.
Will I Fail a Drug Test?
It’s not likely to fail a drug test taking CBD products, but there are some things to keep an eye out for. Though it’s not likely, it’s not impossible either. As mentioned, CBD products can contain up to .3% THC or less by law according to the 2018 Farm Bill. This is a negligible amount and will not cause any intoxicating effects, but if too much of a product is taken, the small amount can add up. A person taking an exceedingly large amount of a CBD product, as in 1/2 of a month’s supply per day or more, would be more likely to fail a drug test. This is obviously not suggested, nor necessary. Too much of a good thing can still be bad.
The limit of THC to cause a failed drug test is 50mg/ml as set forth by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Not all companies use this threshold, but it is the standard by which most use it. Even at the max .3% THC limit, there is not even close to 50mg/ml in most products.
Make sure to understand the type of drug test you are taking as well. Both CBD and THC are classified as “cannabinoids” and thus if you are taking a drug test that is searching for ALL cannabinoids, you should be careful with taking CBD… or any cannabinoid. (Fun fact- black pepper contains small amounts of THC and thus has cannabinoids in it and should be avoided before drug tests as well.) For more info, read our full post on CBD and drug tests…
Most Common Reasons for Failing a CBD Drug Test
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Unknowingly Using CBD Products Containing THC
The most common way CBD oil users fail drug tests is often by purchasing low-quality CBD hemp products that have not been third-party tested. While many brands may claim that their CBD oil does not contain THC, this isn’t always true. That’s why we only carry reputable brands that are guaranteed full spectrum, hemp-derived, and <0.3% THC.
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Purchasing Mislabeled Products
Continuing from the first point, it is unfortunately quite common for CBD oil manufacturers to mislabel their products as THC-free, when in reality, their products have been derived from the marijuana cannabis plant and contain various amounts of THC. It is important to find a trusted source of full spectrum, hemp-derived CBD like Made By Hemp so that you always know that your products will not result in a surprise failed drug test.
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THC Cross-Contamination
Buying your CBD oil products from a cannabis dispensary in legal states might seem like a good idea, but trace amounts of THC can contaminate their CBD oil supply in enough quantities that you could fail a drug screening after consumption. Purchasing from an online retailer like us drastically reduces the chance of this happening. We have our own on-site lab with full-spectrum hemp plants sourced domestically from farms in the USA.
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CBD Oil Metabolic Process
While this is a rare circumstance, some sources have reported that CBD oil can metabolize into small amounts of THC in the digestive tract. Other studies have contradicted these claims, however, the conclusion seems to be that this is most likely to occur with lower-quality CBD products that have not been adequately purified.
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Secondhand THC Exposure
This is a reason that lies outside of CBD oil consumption but is still worth noting. Secondhand marijuana smoke in large amounts over several hours could potentially result in a positive drug test, especially if it’s a hair test and you’ve been in direct physical contact with paraphernalia or a person’s hands that have THC on them. However, if you pass someone on the street smoking cannabis, it’s very unlikely that you’ll get a false positive result with a traditional drug screen
[RELATED POST: Does CBD Oil Show up on a Drug Test? (and How to Pass)]
If in doubt, call the testing facility to find out what kind of test you are being given. All hemp-derived CBD products will be below .3% THC and many of them are even lower.
The only way to completely avoid THC in a CBD product is to find a product made from CBD isolate. See the related post below for more info on different CBD types.
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Does CBD Oil Need THC to Work?
No. Research has shown that both THC and CBD can be beneficial, and it is also clear that THC is not required to activate CBD. Some have mistakenly suggested this correlation, but the research shows that both compounds work differently on their own. However, the combination of CBD and THC may produce a more effective treatment.
When used on its own, CBD has been shown to have a positive effect on patients who are taking a seizure medication. CBD oil is used by holistic medical professionals as an alternative to pharmaceutical medications for conditions including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain. Some have even seen CBD to be effective in addressing the symptoms of autoimmune deficiencies, diabetes, neurological disorders, and addiction treatments. CBD is a powerful dietary supplement that some doctors are encouraging their patients to consider with other treatments to provide needed relief from pain and anxiety.
What Are the Side Effects of CBD Oil?
The Food and Drug Administration approved a CBD product to help patients with a unique form of epilepsy. Research on the benefits and side effects of CBD oil is ongoing. Some side effects that have been identified include:
- A change in alertness
- A reduced appetite
- Diarrhea
- A heightened level of sedation when CBD is used with alcohol or medications for anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders
- Potential liver injury
CBD oil is marketed as a dietary supplement. The research about its effectiveness is ongoing. There are some questions that need to be answered, including what happens if a person uses CBD for an extended amount of time. There are also some questions about dosage, whether the method of consumption affects results, and the impact CBD might have on a developing brain. Finally, there are some ambiguities regarding CBD and how it affects male fertility.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
The answer to this question is complicated. According to the FDA, there are several factors that influence the legality of the selling and purchasing of CBD products. One factor is the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill has removed hemp from the CSA. Now, derivatives of cannabis plants that have 0.3% THC or less are no longer considered controlled substances by federal law. That being said, the same bill clearly preserves the FDA’s ability to regulate products that have cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds.
Even if a CBD product meets the requirements laid out by the FDA, it still needs to meet other applicable laws, such as the FD&C Act. There are local and state laws that could impact the legality of selling or purchasing CBD. This means that people who are looking to buy or sell CBD products should investigate the guidelines laid out by their local and state regulatory bodies.
CBD products cannot be marketed as dietary supplements. However, the FDA is continuing to investigate these products and make adjustments to how CBD products can be marketed. Any product that is marked as a dietary supplement has to comply with applicable laws and regulations that govern dietary supplements. It is legal to sell CBD products as long as they are marketed in the right way and as long as they meet the guidelines laid out by the federal government for such products.
Things to Consider When Shopping for CBD Oil
Not all CBD oils are made of the same. When shopping for CBD oil, you want to learn as much as you can about the product itself and the producer of the product.
The potency of CBD oil is affected by the level of CBD it contains, but there are other factors that affect its potency. You might see a package of CBD capsules or CBD oil and the label says that the product is 99% pure because it has a CBD isolate. Or, the label might say it is 70% pure if it has a distillate.
This information tells you how strong the oil is, but it does not tell you how potent the oil is by volume. The only way to know this is to find packaging that shows how much CBD the oil contains in milligrams. Unquestionably, strength matters with CBD oil. The stronger the oil, the higher the potency and the more powerful effect it will have.
CBD oil is thought by many to be an effective way to treat physical and emotional ailments. The legality of its sale and purchase varies throughout the country. The potency of the oil varies from distributor to distributor. It is worth it to do your due diligence and research before purchasing CBD oil to make sure you get what you need.
Properly Sourced CBD Oil
When researching CBD products, you will want to ensure it is properly sourced and contains less than .3% THC. A reputable CBD seller should have a certificate of analysis (COA) for their products which will show both CBD and THC levels.
All of the hemp we source is domestic and comes from high-quality farms in Colorado and Kentucky which provide us with COAs for their products. At Made By Hemp, we test all of the hemp coming into our facility and we test again after our products have been made to ensure quality and potency. Do Extraction Methods Make a difference?
No, the extraction method used to extract CBD from hemp oil will not add or remove THC.
THC Free Products
Though it is not likely for a person to fail a drug test for taking CBD oil, we understand wanting to make completely sure you are safe. For that, we offer a few products which are THC Free, such as our Hemp Oil Care.
Still have questions or other comments to make? Let us know below!
