By Miguel Ordoñez Reviewed by: Gloria Payá


Thanks to worldwide legalization efforts, cannabis is getting its due recognition. Cannabidiol, or simply CBD, has made its presence known by exerting a variety of effects on the body, making it a prime candidate for potentially alleviating certain conditions and generally boosting health and wellness.

And, unlike its close cousin THC, CBD isn’t psychotropic. It won’t produce the same mind-altering effects that the magic herb is best known for, making it suitable for near-universal use.

Yet, despite the progress that’s been made in some areas, cannabis remains a prohibited substance in many aspects of society. In corporate offices and government positions, for example, stringent drug testing measures will tell you how unforgiving these companies and institutions are concerning marijuana use.

Now, we did mention how CBD isn’t one to skew your sense of judgment in any way, but can it lead to a positive drug test and cause you some trouble? This article should answer that question in depth.

How Do Workplace Drug Tests Work?

If you’ve gone through a pre-hiring drug test, you were likely subjected to submit a urine sample. In fact, this is the most common drug testing procedure for cannabis.

But here’s a tidbit you might not know: urine tests don’t go after THC. Instead, they go after THC-COOH, a metabolite that THC creates upon entering the body.

The reason most tests go after this metabolite is that it stays in one’s system longer. In occasional users, THC-COOH can be detected in urine for about 3–7 days after use. In regular users, THC-COOH can be detected in urine for several weeks, usually 10–21 days. In chronic and long-term users, THC-COOH can be detected for more than 30 days, and in some extreme cases, up to 90 days or more.

Many companies these days have turned to saliva swab tests. The reason? Saliva tests are more accurate for detecting recent cannabis use because of their short detection window and the presence of active THC. However, they may not be effective for detecting long-term use (THC is typically only detectable in saliva for a period ranging from several hours to two days).

How Do Workplace Drug Tests Work?

What Is the Detection Threshold for THC?

For the standard urine drug screening, THC-COOH levels at or above 50ng/ml will signal a positive test result.

For infrequent smokers, a few days of abstinence should be enough to eliminate the chance of a positive result. Chronic smokers, as mentioned above, could test positive a month or more after smoking. However, it's worth noting that individual biochemistry plays a significant role in how much THC-COOH stays in the system. Moreover, factors such as exercise and hydration also play a role.

Oral tests looking for THC will render a positive result at 4ng/ml, with a "confirmatory" threshold of 2ng/ml. Blood tests, which are typically only administered as a result of suspected impairment while driving, are looking for whole blood THC levels of 5ng/ml and over.

Will CBD Oil Show Up on a Drug Test?

So, what about a CBD drug test? Is this something to worry about? This is a valid question to ask. You can rest assured knowing, at least in the United States and Europe, that CBD isn’t amongst the screened substances, as it doesn’t get you high. For that reason, no standard exists to measure the levels of cannabidiol in one’s body.

Another thing: most hemp-based CBD products on the European market only contain up to 0.2% THC (0.3% THC in America). That is a very small amount to be detected by any drug testing procedure.

Does CBD Oil Contain THC?

Most people are under the impression that the CBD oil they consume is completely devoid of THC. But that is clearly not the case.

First, let’s draw the line between hemp and marijuana, which are commonly mistaken to be the same. The main difference between the two is that hemp is almost completely devoid of THC, whereas marijuana can contain up to 30% (or more) in its buds.

CBD is mainly derived from hemp, but it becomes a bit tricky when extracted and concentrated into oil. One reason could be inferior practices that result in THC cross-contamination. It usually happens during the extraction process and is more common among products sold in marijuana dispensaries.

As a consumer, you’ll also want to be wary of low-quality brands making grandiose claims. There’s a good chance that a given product may contain more THC than it should, and that could get you in a bind.

Does CBD Oil Contain THC?

What About Full-Spectrum CBD Oil?

For the uninformed, full-spectrum CBD oil is a product that contains all cannabinoids, including THC. How much THC is in CBD oil, you ask? The amount is so little, it won’t be enough to get you high.

If you have a product that’s accurate as advertised, THC levels shouldn't exceed that 0.2/0.3% mark. You would need to take copious amounts of CBD oil to register a positive drug test.

Can CBD Oil Cause a False Positive Drug Test?

As the name suggests, a false positive drug test means an individual was found to have traces of an illicit substance in their body, even if they haven’t taken one. And if you, unfortunately, fall victim to it, your life and/or career as you know it could be over in a snap.

Not all tests are 100% accurate. There are times when errors happen in the lab as the tests are conducted. But in most cases, it’s usually due to the presence of certain foods and over-the-counter medication.

A handful of substances can cause a false positive drug test, like poppy seeds (which contain codeine and morphine), antidepressants, certain antibiotics, and, of course, cannabis.

Now, can CBD oil cause a false positive? In certain cases, it can. Some states in the US allow up to 5% THC in their CBD oils. If these oils are taken in large quantities often, then there’s a chance for a false positive to occur for the presence of THC.

Can CBN Cause You to Fail a Drug Test?

Things start to get a little complicated when discussing CBN—a non-psychotropic cannabinoid that results from THC's degradation. Due to its molecular similarity to THC, it is indeed possible for CBN to cause a false positive drug test.

In fact, researchers believe[1] false positives "caused by CBD" are in fact caused by the presence of CBN, as CBD by itself does not trigger a positive result. This false detection is the fault of antibodies used in these immunoassays, some of which are more accurate than others. In any case, low levels of CBN are still unlikely to trigger a positive result—but it is possible.

How to Check if CBD Oil Has Any THC

If you’re an avid CBD oil user, you’ll want to make sure that the products you’re taking won’t get you into any trouble. Trace amounts of THC will be fine, but as previously mentioned, you wouldn’t want to go over the 0.2/0.3% threshold.

So, here are some ways to check if your CBD oil is over the THC limit to help avoid any trouble with your mandatory drug tests.

  • Do Your Research Beforehand

We’re living in a world where vital information is readily available online. Especially if you’re buying products from a legitimate source, you’ll be able to do thorough background checks through the company’s website.

So, before making any purchase, be absolutely sure you know what’s in the stuff you’re taking. Check the purity of the product and see if there’s a possibility of contamination. Companies that publish third-party lab tests of their cannabinoid levels are arguably the most reliable to source from. Also, look to customer reviews on independent websites—these can be extremely valuable in helping you make a decision.

If you can, consult with a professional before diving right in. Your life and career could be hanging in the balance, and one small mistake could lead to more significant repercussions.

Do Your Research Beforehand

  • Stick With CBD Isolates

If you’re all about CBD, you may want to take it in the form of an isolate, as opposed to a full-spectrum formula. Even if the latter is deemed to be more effective thanks to the entourage effect, taking CBD isolate would eliminate any chance of a positive drug test for THC.

Stick With CBD Isolates
  • Go With CBD Crystals

CBD crystals contain around 99% CBD, with the remaining 1% usually made up of terpenes. For this reason, CBD crystals are popular amongst those undergoing frequent drug testing.

Go With CBD Crystals
  • Read the Tag

You may have a reliable source, but you should also know what to look for. Specifically, you’ll need to check on lot numbers, batch numbers, and retained batch samples.

You’ll then want to get third-party validation that the product you’re about to use is from plants that are genetically engineered to contain very little to no THC. You’ll also want to make sure that they use methods to purge out the substance completely.

These days, you can never be too sure. False advertising is rampant, especially with how easy it is to make the packaging look like the CBD oil comes from a legitimate source. It’s easier to fall victim to it, so do your best not to be part of that statistic.

Read the Label

Will CBD Oil Trigger a Positive Drug Test? — The Bottom Line

To answer the question with finality, yes, there’s a slim possibility of your CBD oil drug test causing a positive result and getting you into trouble. But even that is still within your control. And, it’s not the CBD itself that’s responsible.

It’s all a matter of having full knowledge of the products you’re taking. Only go for legitimate stuff, and when in doubt, ask a professional for help.

Hopefully, we’ve provided you with sufficient information. Just follow these tips, and you should pass your test with flying colors while still being able to enjoy quality CBD oil!

External Resources:
  1. Study: Pure CBD doesn't cause a positive drug test, But CBN might - UPI.com https://www.upi.com
  2. Immunassay – Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: