Do drug tests show hemp cigarettes?

Yes, drug test can show hemp cigarettes, but not that common. Hemp cigarettes are popularly used as alternatives for smoking tobacco cigarettes, which can be habit-forming due to their nicotine content.

A person who opts to quit smoking nicotine switches to hemp cigarettes because the product has a high level of cannabidiol (CBD). This substance is not addictive at all. It is even capable of inducing a calming effect to those who use it.

This method is greatly helpful in resolving intense cravings for tobacco when withdrawal starts. At the same time, the substance also allows users to feel at ease during stressful situations, which is one of the common reasons why people smoke.

However, even if hemp cigarettes only contain a small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – for as small as 0.3% – traces of the substance may still appear on drug tests. THC is the element that drug tests trace to yield positive results. This is also the addictive component among cannabis products.

There are two factors which contribute to yielding positive results on drug tests with only the use of hemp cigarettes.

The first factor would be the unknown history of manufacturing the hemp cigarette.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the ingredients and processing of CBD products. It may be likely that the THC levels in the label do not truly reflect what the product contains, or there was contamination in the processing of hemp in the first place. This can be caused by the fertilizers used in the production.

The second factor would be the build up of THC in the body due to regular use of hemp cigarettes.

Traces of THC may wear off in a few days, however; with excessive use of hemp cigarettes, low levels of THC could build up in the body, making it more easily traceable during drug tests.

How do drug tests for cannabis work?

Collecting a urine sample for a drug test works best for cannabis products. However, it must be ensured that a clean catch of the urine is collected. Any contamination may affect the test results.

Urine tests for cannabis often involve screening the sample twice especially when the initial test yields positive. The test can detect traces of THC 3 days after the last dose while it takes up to 30 days or more for regular users of the drug.

An immunoassay test is used to screen the urine sample. This method uses antibodies which latch on to traces of THC and then creates a signal once they are detected. This signal indicates a positive result.

The federal government has set a concentration threshold for THC which is used as a basis in determining the results. A trace below this threshold indicates a negative result.

As soon as the result yields positive, it will go through another screening which is called the confirmatory test. Confirmatory tests include gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. These are highly reliable methods of screening samples that typically yield accurate results.

If a person tests positive for cannabis unexpectedly, it would be best to talk to a physician. It may be likely that certain medications used may have caused this. As for the case of secondhand smoke, it is impossible that traces of THC can be detected for this matter.

What are Hemp Drug Testing Methodologies?

Hemp drug testing methodologies include testing samples of the blood, saliva, hair and urine. Each test has its own detection window. It takes up to 7 days for blood samples to show traces of THC while up to 24 hours for the saliva, and up to 90 days for the hair.

Drug tests usually identify THC and its metabolites, these are broken down traces of the substance once processed by the body through metabolism. THC metabolites tend to hide inside body fats which makes it stay in the system for some time. It is likely for drug testing methods to track these traces in the body.

The Duquenois-Levine reagent is another method of tracing the presence of THC in the body but is most particularly involved in forensic science. It is done by placing the target substance in a test tube filled with specific particles that switches its color. A purple color indicates a positive result.

Another method is the use of Azo dyes (Fast Blue B and BB) as a reagent. It is touted as more reliable than the Duquenois-Levine. Azo dyes are known to be distinctly sensitive in tracing a variety of cannabinoids in the target substance.

Can CBD make you fail a drug test?

Yes it does. However, the presence of THC is the main factor that makes one fail a drug test and not the presence of CBD. Drug tests search for traces of THC and not of CBD.

THC is the substance that induces addiction among its users. It is the one that is federally regulated and not CBD. This is also the reason why employers require their employees to pass a drug test should they aim to stay in their job.

According to Quest Diagnostics, a full spectrum CBD has the potential to yield positive results in a drug test. In a small study among 15 participants who used a CBD extract of 1.04% with THC levels of 0.02% 3 times a day for one month, half of them tested positive in a urine test while the other half tested negative.

Despite these varying results, the positive result is proof that it is possible to fail a drug test even by using a full spectrum CBD.

How can you make sure that a CBD product doesn’t contain THC?

The best practice to ensure that the CBD product does not contain THC is to review the description of the item thoroughly.

Some product labels may not show the real content of their ingredients, that is why it is also necessary to highly consider the reputation of the company where the product was manufactured.

According to Healthline, it is important to check on customer’s feedback, certifications of the company, and their adherence to legal standards in terms of manufacturing their products.

Will CBD register on a standard drug test?

The only standard drug test that will register CBD is the Beam’s CBD test. This is the use of 5% potassium hydroxide and 95% ethanol as a reagent in identifying CBD.

After about 10 minutes of mixing the sample in the solution, a shade from pink to violet will appear. This indicates the presence of CBD in the sample. Apparently, this does not detect THC.

It is important to note that drug tests are administered to identify the presence of an illicit substance in a person. For cannabis, this element involves THC. It is quite irrelevant and unnecessary to determine CBD on standard drug tests.

For instance, a person who intends to pursue a new job or sustain their employment is required to take a drug test since being found to be intoxicated with THC could hamper productivity at work.

Another situation is among professional athletes. THC may boost the level of energy in performing a task, and this is unacceptable during games. To ensure fairness among players, a drug test is required.

Dealing with court matters is also another story. Detecting THC in drug tests is more relevant in determining whether a person involved in a vehicle accident is intoxicated or not. If found guilty, then proper ruling can be imposed.

Finally, detecting levels of THC is needed for medical use. Physicians are able to monitor the progress of their patients in an addiction treatment, or identify whether their prescription of a controlled drug is followed.

Overall, detecting THC is more valuable than detecting CBD during a drug test.

Will You Fail A Drug Test If You Smoke Hemp Flowers?

Yes, since hemp flowers contain 0.3% THC it is possible to fail a drug test, however, this can be very unlikely.

If you are really determined to pass a drug test, the best course would be to abstain from using CBD cigarettes regardless if they have low content of THC. It would be ideal to do this for about two weeks before you take the drug test.

Although the two-week time frame is not a guarantee that you would yield a negative result, this may potentially give your body some time to get rid of traces of THC in your system.

Oftentimes, the challenge falls among individuals who are regular users of hemp. It may be likely for them to have accumulated a certain level of THC in their body within a period of time. Unlike those who use the substance infrequently, heavy users are at risk of failing a drug test.

But then again, this can be very unlikely if smoking hemp flowers is involved.

It is important to note that a person’s metabolism can also be of great help in flushing out the substance in the body, and that there are occasions when a person may yield a false result during the initial screening. Proceeding to a confirmatory test can be far more reliable since the level of substances can be really identified in this phase.[/su_spoiler]