CBD has many therapeutic effects for those who work long, strenuous hours as truck drivers do. If you earn a living at the wheel, you’re probably asking yourself, “can truck drivers use CBD?” The answer is a little bit complicated, but we’re here to simplify things.
The United States federal government legalized hemp-derived CBD in 2018. However, some states regulate CBD differently, and some trucking companies place special restrictions on their drivers. Fortunately, we have some pro tips here to help you navigate these obstacles.
Can CDL Drivers Use CBD?
Technically, consuming CBD with a THC concentration of 0.3% or lower is legal. However, the DOT does not differentiate between THC from CBD and marijuana. Since the FDA does not regulate CBD and THC levels are not consistently tested, THC from CBD products may still appear in a drug test, potentially leading to the loss of your CDL license. Due to widespread misinformation, the DOT released a notice regarding CBD products.
Is CBD Legal?
Yes, CBD is federally legal in the United States of America. The 2018 Farm Bill, otherwise known as the Agriculture Improvement Act, made hemp-derived products legal nationwide. This means that any U.S. resident can legally purchase and consume CBD no matter what state they live in.
The Farm Bill says that CBD is only legal when it comes from hemp plants, not from marijuana. But what’s the difference between hemp and marijuana? Both are forms of the cannabis plant, but they have different levels of THC.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary intoxicating compound in marijuana responsible for causing the “high” associated with the cannabis plant. Under federal law, hemp is any cannabis plant with 0.3% or less THC when measured by dry weight. Cannabis that contains more than 0.3% THC is classified as marijuana. Some states have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes, but it remains illegal on the federal level under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a natural chemical compound found in cannabis plants. Marijuana has low levels of CBD, but hemp plants contain a lot of it. Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating, meaning it should not get you “high.”
CBD products come in many forms. You can purchase CBD in its natural form, aka hemp flower, which you can smoke or vaporize. Other CBD products include edibles, oil tinctures, and liquid vaporizers. These products are made with CBD extract.
At Cheef Botanicals, we get CBD from hemp plants using an eco-friendly CO2 extraction process. We focus on the plant’s leaves and flowers, which are the most potent sources of CBD, ensuring high yields and purity. Many other companies use solvents like butane to make CBD extract, but these can leave traces of harmful chemicals in the final product. At Cheef, we stick to a clean manufacturing process to ensure you get the highest quality products.
Can Truck Drivers Use CBD?
CBD is legal for U.S. residents, 18 and over, to take, which means truck drivers can take all the CBD they want on their own time. However, things get a bit trickier if you want to take CBD on the job.
Although CBD is legal on the federal level, some individual states have placed their own restrictions on CBD. This makes things complicated if your route takes you across state borders. Before starting your trip, take note of all the states you must pass through and check each one to see if there are unique CBD restrictions in place there.
It is equally important to know your employer’s policy towards CBD. Some companies do not allow their drivers to consume any cannabis products, even if they are THC-free and only contain CBD.
Is CBD Safe for a Truck Driver?
CBD is not intoxicating, so it should not affect your ability to drive safely. However, CBD may affect some truckers differently than others. It’s important to try CBD in a safe, no-pressure home environment to see how it affects you before taking it on the road.
You need to make sure that you buy CBD products that contain no more than the legal limit of THC (0.3%). THC does impair your ability to drive, and it is not safe to get behind the wheel after consuming products with more than 0.3% THC.
Many commercial drivers have concerns about drug testing. Almost all drug tests check for the presence of THC, but not CBD. However, many CBD products contain traces of THC (no more than 0.3%). That tiny amount should not be enough to trigger a drug test.
However, if you take CBD often, THC could build up in your system and cause a false positive. To be on the safe side, choose Cheef Botanicals’ broad-spectrum CBD products, which contain zero THC.
Related Post: CBD And Driving Overview: Is It Safe & Is It Legal?
What is DOT?
As all professional truck drivers surely know, DOT stands for the Department of Transportation. This department includes multiple administrations, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA imposes rules on professional drivers, including most truck drivers, transit vehicle operators, and school bus drivers.
The main duty of the FMCSA is to reduce accidents involving trucks and buses. In pursuit of that goal, they routinely test drivers for drugs and alcohol. The FMCSA has a database called the Clearinghouse, where they keep records of all the drivers who test positive for banned substances or refuse to be tested.
Is CBD Banned by DOT?
No! The Department of Transportation requires testing for drugs and alcohol under its Code of Federal Regulations. However, they do not check for cannabidiol. That means CBD itself cannot make you fail a DOT drug test!
That being said, many CBD products contain traces of THC that might cause a positive result on a drug test. Recently, the DOT issued a notice about CBD. All truck drivers are advised to read the full text of the memo on the DOT website, but for your convenience, we have summarized the key points here.
- DOT drug tests check for THC but not CBD.
- The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) doesn’t test CBD products to verify their THC content. Because of the lack of federal oversight, some CBD products may have more THC than they state on the label.
- CBD products that contain trace amounts of THC can trigger a positive drug test result. If this happens, the DOT won’t accept the taking of CBD as an excuse. Any driver found to have THC in their system will face the same disciplinary actions.
The most important takeaway from the DOT memo is this: if you take CBD products containing THC and fail a drug test, the DOT will treat the situation as if you were using marijuana.
How Can CBD Benefit Truck Drivers?
CBD offers therapeutic benefits to everyone, but it is especially great for people with long, stressful work shifts like truck drivers. The benefits of CBD include:
- Relief from physical discomfort
- Better sleep
- Improved appetite and digestion
- Calm and clear mind
- Positive mood
What Are the Side Effects of CBD?
CBD has very few side effects. Few people experience any unwanted effects and those that do generally report side effects passing in a very short time. It is not possible to overdose on CBD or become addicted to CBD.
CBD’s side effects may include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth/thirst
- Lightheadedness
Drowsiness is a particular concern for truck drivers. CBD is great for helping you get a good night’s sleep, but you don’t want to nod off on the road. That’s why we recommend that you try CBD a few times at home before taking it on the job. That way, you can learn how it affects you in a no-pressure environment.
What CBD Products are Good for Truck Drivers?
The most popular CBD products are hemp flower, edibles, vapes, and CBD oil. Each of these products brings the soothing effects of CBD, but some may be better for truck drivers than others. You certainly don’t want to light up a CBD pre-roll or smoke some CBD flower while driving.
Here are some of the best CBD products for truckers:
- CBD Capsules: Taking CBD couldn’t be more discreet and easy. Keep a bottle of these pre-dosed capsules in your truck and take them when you need to.
- CBD Gummies: Delicious fruit-flavored gummies are a tasty way for your to obtain the benefits of CBD while trucking to your next stop.
- CBD Oils: Add some drops of CBD oil underneath your tongue for quick effects, swallow CBD oil directly, or mix some drops into your food or drink.
Wise truckers should learn the difference between full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate CBD products. Full spectrum CBD products contain all hemp plant compounds, including trace amounts of THC. If you are concerned about failing a drug test due to THC in your system, you probably should not take a full spectrum CBD product. Luckily, there are many other THC-free options out there!
Broad spectrum products and CBD isolate have no THC, so they can prevent you from falsely testing positive for marijuana. However, some employers have a ban on CBD itself. What can you, as a truck driver, do in this situation? We recommend trying CBD topicals.
Topical CBD products, including lotions, relief salves, and bath bombs, offer targeted relief for muscle aches. When you apply CBD topically, it does not enter your bloodstream. This should keep you from failing any drug tests.
Final Thoughts – Can Truck Drivers Use CBD?
Even though CBD is legal, truck drivers need to take some special precautions. Before you purchase any CBD products, make sure you know your employer’s policy towards CBD. As long as they permit their drivers to take CBD, you are good to go!
Drug tests are the biggest concern for most truck drivers, but remember that almost all of these tests only check for THC. We highly recommend Cheef Botanicals’ broad spectrum products and CBD isolate to ensure no THC gets in your system. Keep on trucking to our shop and get some broad spectrum CBD products to keep you alert and awake on the road! Learn more facts about CBD here.
