Does CBD Flower Show Up on a Drug Test? [All You Need to Know]

People are increasingly recognizing CBD products for their soothing effects and wellness benefits. Many are curious about the relationship between cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabis. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Does CBD flower show up on a drug test?” this guide will explain everything you need to know.   By the end of this article, you’ll find that there are CBD products suitable for every individual and lifestyle. Let’s take a look at a few CBD facts, all about CBD flower and whether it will show up on a drug test.    

What is CBD Flower?

CBD flower, sometimes referred to as hemp flower, is a non-intoxicating product derived from cannabis plants. There are two types of cannabis: hemp and marijuana. Hemp plants have high CBD levels and contain 0.3% or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).   Both CBD and THC are cannabinoids, compounds from the cannabis plant. CBG is another one of these cannabinoids that is quickly rising in popularity. Still, these are just three of the over 100 cannabinoids that scientists have discovered in cannabis plants.   By definition, marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains greater than 0.3% THC levels. On the other hand, CBD is a hemp-derived product and should never contain more than 0.3% THC. “Flower,” also known as nugs or buds, refers to the CBD-rich blossoms that grow from hemp plants.   Hemp flower contains the highest concentration of CBD in the entire plant. This CBD flower can be vaporized, smoked, or turned into other CBD hemp products. CBD extraction is done by grinding up hemp and running liquid CO2 through the plant material.        

Is CBD Flower Legal?

Yes! CBD flower is completely legal. This is because the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the sale and production of industrial hemp in the United States. The bill also legalized items made from hemp (such as CBD products) as long as they contain 0.3% or less THC.   The government considers a plant to be marijuana if it contains more than 0.3% THC. Officials destroy these plants to ensure that consumers aren’t sold CBD containing too much THC.    

Can CBD Flower Get You High?

No, CBD flower cannot get you high. In large doses, THC can induce intoxicating feelings. However, since CBD contains very little to no THC, it is not enough to cause any intoxicating feelings. Since THC induces intoxicating effects, you may be wondering why some CBD products contain any THC at all. Full spectrum products include low levels of THC to strengthen the entourage effect.   The entourage effect refers to the boost in effectiveness when compounds found in hemp are ingested simultaneously. When all the compounds react with each other, they can maximize the benefits of CBD. The more hemp-derived components that are taken at the same time, the greater CBD’s entourage effect. However, the entourage effect is still present in CBD if the product does not contain any THC. The effects are even more relaxing and tranquil when a low amount of THC (0.3% or less) is added.   Maximizing the entourage effect is one of the best ways to experience CBD, but it’s certainly not the only way. Trace levels of THC should not be enough to trigger a positive drug test. However, with repeated use, THC levels can build up in your body, resulting in a positive drug test result.  

Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum vs. Isolate

How do you know if you’re using a CBD product that has THC? Check whether the item is full or broad spectrum CBD. Full spectrum CBD products contain all the compounds naturally found in hemp (including small amounts of THC).   Broad spectrum CBD is similar to full spectrum products, but does not contain any THC at all. This is the ideal choice for anyone concerned with drug tests. Even though high-quality full spectrum products should rarely result in a positive result, broad spectrum CBD is a great alternative.   If you’d like nothing but pure cannabidiol, consider CBD isolate products. This fine white powder is odorless and tasteless, containing over 99% pure CBD molecules. Isolates are extremely versatile and can give various products a CBD boost.  

Related Article: What Is CBD Isolate Used For? 4 Common Uses Explained

Does CBD Flower Show Up On a Drug Test?

Does CBD show up when drug testing? The short answer is no, CBD will not show up on a drug test. Most drug tests only test for THC and not CBD. Since there are low levels of THC in hemp flower, it should not test positive for THC. However, there are trace levels of THC in full spectrum CBD products. Low THC levels should not cause you to fail a drug test, but there is a slight chance of this happening, as THC can build up with repeated use. Additionally, not all drug tests are completely accurate, and the presence of CBD may cause a false reading.   While it is rare for CBD flower or a top-tier full-spectrum product to trigger a failed drug test, it is not impossible. This is what draws some to broad-spectrum CBD, which contains no THC. CBD isolate, which is almost entirely made of cannabidiol molecules, is another THC-free option.   Unfortunately, when it comes to CBD flower, there is no THC-free strain. However, some flowers have very low amounts of THC. Keep this in mind if you use a CBD strain before a drug test, but rest assured that you’d have to consume a large amount of hemp for the test to come back positive.   Use CBD products as directed on the packaging. Improper or excessive use before a screening could affect the test results. Since CBD flower is perfectly legal, you can also inform the person giving you your test that you’ve used some cannabidiol recently.   There is also a chance that a urine-based drug test can give a false positive if other medicines are present in the body. Drugs such as dronabinol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), pantoprazole, or efavirenz may trigger a false positive. Secondhand cannabis smoke can also affect the outcome of your drug screening.    

How Long Does CBD Flower Stay in Your System?

Generally, CBD can last in your system for 2-5 days. However, it is perfectly normal for CBD to last in some people’s systems for weeks. No matter how long CBD stays in your system, it will not result in a positive drug test. Why does CBD last longer in some people’s bodies than others?   Certain factors, such as how much or how often you take it, will change the amount of CBD concentration in anyone’s body. Other variables include your tolerance, method of ingestion, and your overall health. Body mass index, water content, metabolism, and size can affect how people experience CBD. Some people have a higher tolerance than others. This could be why CBD stays in your system longer than someone of a similar height and weight.  

Method of Consumption Matters

CBD can be mixed into food, added to a drink, swallowed as CBD capsules, dropped under the tongue, inhaled, rubbed on, and eaten as an edible (just to name a few). The form of your CBD has a large impact on how long it stays in your body.   The effects of inhaling hemp flower smoke or vapor can be felt almost instantaneously, but it also leaves the body quickly. CBD oil, on the other hand, can last in your bloodstream much longer if swallowed. Smoking CBD results in a quicker experience because swallowed oil must first be metabolized.  

Edibles

The metabolization that swallowed CBD must go through results in longer-lasting effects than when inhaled. Other food, drink, and medication that our body is digesting when we use CBD may affect the amount of time it takes to enter the bloodstream.   This is why there is no universal answer for how long cannabidiol will stay in your system. What people eat can also affect how long CBD stays in their system. If you take CBD oil after a full meal it will be metabolized by your body slower than if taken on an empty stomach, but the effects will last slightly longer.    

How Long Will THC Stay In Your System?

Typically, THC stays in the system for up to 15 days. However, THC may still be present in one’s urine over 30 days after using cannabis products. Keep in mind that the presence of THC in your urine does not inherently mean you’ll test positive for THC.   A drug test is affected by the presence of cannabinoids, such as CBD or THC. Though, it’s the amount of that compound that has the largest impact on the test results. For example, the low levels of THC found in full spectrum products should not cause a failed screening, even though there was THC in the body. How much is too much THC? Well, it depends on which type of test you take. The four most popular drug tests take samples of urine, blood, saliva, or hair.        

The Type of Test Matters

Studies show that urine tests will turn up positive if there are at least 50 nanograms of THC per milliliter of urine. Generally, THC can be detected with a urine test about 3-15 days after ingestion. Heavy THC usage can stay in the urine for over 30 days.   Blood tests are less common than urine tests because THC does not stay in the bloodstream for very long. THC can be detected in blood plasma up to five hours after ingestion. However, THC metabolites (these help the body metabolize tetrahydrocannabinol) can remain in blood plasma for seven days. Whether the THC level in your blood is enough to fail the drug test depends on your state. Some states do not allow for any amount of THC whatsoever. Others consider as little as 1-5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood to be a failed drug test.   For oral fluid tests (most commonly saliva), four nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter is typically the cut-off point. THC can linger in an individual’s oral fluid for roughly 72 hours after ingestion. It may stay even longer in saliva after heavy use. A test can detect THC metabolites in hair for up to 90 days. If the test finds that you have one picogram or more THC per milligram of hair, it is considered a failed drug test.    

How to Find the Best CBD Flower

As with Cheef Botanicals, the best companies use hemp grown in the United States. Domestically sourced hemp is grown by farmers under the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Imported hemp is not grown under these regulations and could carry high THC levels that may cause you to fail a drug test. If you’re buying hemp flower, try to find a supplier that uses plants sourced from Oregon or Colorado, the best states for cannabis cultivation.   Just because all hemp flower is federally legal in the United States does not mean it is high-quality. Once you’ve confirmed that your flower or product has been sourced from hemp grown in the US, ask the manufacturer if they can provide a third-party certificate of analysis (COA).   A COA confirms that a label accurately describes the contents of a CBD product. A third-party lab provides COAs to ensure the results are unbiased. Even if a company uses legal hemp, you should avoid their products if they cannot provide a COA. Cannabidiol products, such as CBD isolate or CBD oil, should contain all-natural ingredients. A can ruin the plant’s quality with a poor extraction method or harmful additives.   You should avoid solvent-based extraction methods because they use butane chemicals that are dangerous and can leave behind a toxic residue if not properly evaporated. The CO2 extraction method uses natural, liquid CO2 that evaporates with no residue and does not leave behind any chemicals or waste. After the CBD has been extracted from the plant material, only natural ingredients should be added.  

Why You Should Choose Cheef Botanicals

At Cheef Botanicals, we firmly believe that CBD will promote health and wellness around the world. Our mission is to educate the public about the many wonders and benefits of CBD. We pride ourselves on providing industry-leading products that aim to help you take control of your well-being.   Feel free to take a look at our line of amazing products or view all our high-quality CBD flower strains here in our store and keep an eye out for amazing deals! Our top-rated customer service and return policies ensure that you are always satisfied with your purchase. And all our products come with an up-to-date COA you can view here.    

Final Thoughts – Does CBD Flower Show Up On a Drug Test?

So, will CBD flower show up on a drug test? We’ve seen that while cannabidiol flower should not cause you to fail a drug test, there are a few variables to consider. Since there’s no test for CBD specifically, the only thing you have to consider when drug testing is THC content.   If you used CBD products that contained THC the night before the screening, you might test positive. To play it safe, use broad spectrum or isolate cannabidiol products. There are plenty of CBD products for every way of life, whether you have to get drug tested or not!