Does CBD Get You High? (What About Drug Tests)

Since CBD has burst onto the scene and exploded in popularity, many people are trying out the wide range of products containing this newly legalized compound. In 2018, new laws emerged from the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the Farm Bill) that legalized CBD derived from hemp on a federal level. 

There are some stipulations regarding this legislature, like how CBD cannot contain more than .3% THC, which is the psychoactive compound in cannabis. However, it was enough to cause a serious rise in the growth, cultivation, and manufacturing of CBD products nationwide. The history of CBD is extremely interesting and paints a fairly vivid picture of how we got to where we are. 

For thousands of years, cannabis made its way into various cultures around the world for industrial and medicinal purposes. Today, we’re finally getting over the negative stigmas and misconceptions surrounding cannabis, leading to vast and limitless potential for new products and ways to utilize this incredible plant for good — specifically, with the non-intoxicating compound cannabidiol, also known as CBD. 

Cannabis has many species, but when taking a closer look at CBD, we only need to look at two: hemp and marijuana. 

Hemp is high in CBD and very low in THC.

Marijuana is high in THC and very low in CBD. 

The amount of THC or CBD in either species of cannabis could vary greatly depending on the strain, but generally speaking, these rules apply across the board. 

CBD is a non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating compound in many species of cannabis that has a wide range of benefits. It affects the endocannabinoid system, a super complex and extraordinary network that has only recently been explored. 

On the other hand, THC is responsible for the high associated with cannabis and is not legal in all fifty states. 

So, to answer the question, “Does CBD get you high?” The answer is no. There are no inhibiting or psychoactive effects that result from vaping, consuming, or smoking CBD rich hemp flower. 

With that being said, many consumers who are just getting started on their CBD journey or even those who are seasoned veterans may be wondering:

“Well, is .3% THC enough to show up on a drug test?.” 

The answer to this is a little muddy, so let’s dive a bit deeper. 

We’ll level with you straightaway here; a false positive on your drug test is certainly possible due to the extreme variances in drug test sensitivities and individual biochemistry. 

Now, an employer or probation officer will test for the presence of THC or THC metabolites and follow the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services guidelines that do not look for CBD. However, the trace amounts of THC in many CBD products could trigger a false positive, even if you haven’t consumed any marijuana. 

If drug testing is a concern, you’ll want to choose a broad-spectrum or isolate formula both of which remove the THC during processing. 

• • Isolate CBD compounds go through a pretty rigorous extraction process, resulting in pure CBD. This means that trace amounts of THC are eliminated from the end product. 
• • Broad-spectrum CBD gives you some of the incredible benefits of the entourage effect but undergoes THC remediation to reduce concentrations of this compound to better comply with a quality or regulatory goal. 

Not to be confused with full-spectrum CBD, which takes advantage of the entire plant, broad-spectrum CBD ensures that all THC is removed after extraction. We’ve actually gone pretty in-depth before on this topic, so if you want to learn more, check out our breakdown of full-spectrum vs. CBD isolates. 

If you’re unsure about whether or not your CBD products contain any THC, look for independently lab-tested products and stick with transparent brands. Reputable companies matter when it comes to CBD. 

Surprisingly, hair testing will probably not detect any THC because it’s designed to discover the habitual use of certain substances. So, even though it’s the test most feared by cannabis users — CBD users don’t have much to worry about here. 

Urine or oral drug tests, on the other hand, present a more substantial risk of possibly detecting THC even if you’ve only been using CBD products. Yes, it is unlikely, but we’re not saying it’s impossible.

CBD has a wide range of benefits that can help those struggling with everyday issues. It’s not going to get you high but it can help you live a healthier lifestyle and bring balance to your mind and body. Here are a few reasons to give CBD a try:

• • Relaxes tension within the body 
• • Supports mental clarity
• • Reduces stress
• • Promotes healthy sleep & relaxation
• • Supports the immune system
• • Balances the skin to fight breakouts