CBD oil and workplace drug testing

Cannabidiol or CBD is a chemical substance found in cannabis that has medical benefits. It is a major constituent of the cannabis plant, representing up to 40% in its extracts. CBD is sometimes referred to as ‘medical cannabis’.

Studies have shown CBD oil to have antipsychotic properties. It won’t get you high, because it doesn’t contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical in cannabis that makes you high.

CBD oil is becoming popular in the UK and is sold in high street stores as a food supplement in varying concentrations. It is used as an aid to treating everything from epilepsy to cancer, as its unique properties can help to manage pain. The NHS states that ‘there is some evidence medical cannabis can help certain types of pain, though this evidence is not yet strong enough to recommend it for pain relief.’

In the future, CBD could potentially be used to replace painkillers and opioid medications.

There is no current evidence of any long-term negative impact or likelihood of addiction to CBD.

CBD oil should not be confused with Cannabis oil, which also contains CBD as well as Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the main psychoactive substance found in the smoked Cannabis plant, responsible for the majority of the psychoactive effects of the drug. Cannabis oil is a classified substance.

How does the use of CBD oil affect workplace drug testing?

Workplace drug testing kits detect THC, the psychoactive element of cannabis, at varying levels.

Although some CBD oils contain trace amounts of THC, the Home Office states that CBD products cannot contain more than 0.2% THC. Based on this, if CBD oil is being used as per the recommended instructions and not in excess, it would not produce a positive THC result in an oral fluid (saliva) or a hair sample drug test.

If you have any further questions regarding cannabis, THC, CBD and workplace drug testing, please contact us.