CBD and Drug Testing
This is one of the most important questions people ask before trying CBD. If your employer conducts drug screenings, the stakes are real. You need a straight answer.
Here it is: drug tests look for THC, not CBD. Whether CBD causes a positive result depends entirely on what else is in the product.
What Drug Tests Actually Look For
Standard workplace drug tests screen for THC (specifically, the metabolite THC-COOH). They do not screen for CBD. A pure CBD product with zero THC will not trigger a positive result for THC.
The most common test is the urine immunoassay, which has a threshold of 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) for THC metabolites. Below that level, the test returns negative.
Why Some CBD Products Are Risky
The risk comes from THC content in the CBD product -- not from CBD itself.
Full spectrum CBD legally contains up to 0.3% THC. That small amount, taken consistently over time, can accumulate in your body and potentially push THC metabolite levels above the test threshold. This is especially true at higher doses.
Broad spectrum CBD claims to have THC removed, but the process is not always perfect. Some products may contain trace amounts that were not fully eliminated.
Mislabeled products are the biggest risk. Studies have found that a significant percentage of CBD products contain more THC than the label states. If the product has not been independently tested and verified, you do not actually know what is in it.
How to Protect Yourself
If you are drug tested, follow these guidelines:
Choose zero-THC products only. Not "low THC." Not "trace amounts." Zero. Verified by an independent lab.
Read the Certificate of Analysis (COA). The COA should show THC as "ND" (not detected) or "0.00%." If it shows any other number, the product contains THC.
Buy from brands that publish COAs. If you cannot verify the THC content before you buy, you are taking an unnecessary risk.
Be consistent with your source. Switching between brands means switching between testing standards. Find a brand you trust and stick with it.
Talk to your employer. Some employers have specific policies about CBD use. Knowing the policy ahead of time protects you.
Cross Country Wellness and Drug Testing
Every Cross Country Wellness product is zero THC. That is not a marketing claim. It is confirmed by independent lab testing and documented in a Certificate of Analysis for every product, every batch.
We chose zero THC specifically because so many of our customers need certainty. If you are drug tested at work, you should not have to gamble with your livelihood just because you want to try CBD.
Our 1000mg CBD Oil, CBD Capsules, and all other products are zero THC, verified in writing. You can read the lab results yourself.
The Bottom Line
CBD does not show up on drug tests. THC does. If your CBD product contains zero THC -- confirmed by an independent lab -- you are in the clear.
The safest approach is to choose a brand that publishes their lab results, verify the THC content is zero, and keep a copy of the COA for your records. If your employer ever has a question, you have documentation.
Shop Zero-THC CBD | See Our Lab Results
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before use.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author
Jordan Bergsrud (J Bird) is the founder of Cross Country Wellness and was named Cannabis Activist of the Year in Las Vegas in both 2020 and 2021. After losing his father to opioid addiction, Jordan dedicated himself to educating people about plant-based alternatives. He handles product sourcing, customer relationships, and education at CCW.
This article is for educational purposes. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.