Introduction
The consumption of CBD products has posed a challenge in workplace drug testing. As the CBD market grows, it is important to understand how it affects drug testing and how to address positive THC results when attributed solely to CBD use.
CBD and THC: differences and origin
CBD and THC are two cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The main difference between them lies in their chemical structure. While CBD does not have psychoactive effects, THC does.
CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana. Hemp typically produces more CBD, while marijuana produces more THC. It is important to note that hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3% THC, which is legal in the United States. On the other hand, CBD derived from marijuana can contain 0.3% or more THC.
The Challenge of Drug Testing
The increasing consumption of CBD products has posed a challenge in workplace drug testing. There are several factors that can lead to positive THC test results, even when only pure CBD with a low THC content has been consumed.
Variable threshold levels
Drug tests have different threshold levels for detecting THC. For example, traditional urine drug testing detects THC when the amount exceeds 50 ng/mL. If an employee has consumed a significant amount of CBD, it is possible that the THC content in his or her system exceeds this threshold and produces a positive drug test result.
Incorrect labeling of CBD products
Some CBD products may have incorrect labels that do not accurately reflect their THC content. This can lead to positive THC results on drug tests, even when only pure CBD with a low THC content has been consumed.
Reagents in drug tests
Some drug tests use reagents that can convert CBD to THC during the analysis. This can result in false positive THC results on drug tests. It is important to ensure that the assigned laboratory does not use these reagents and opt for more accurate methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, to confirm drug test results.
How to Address Positive THC Results Attributed to CBD Use
If an employee claims that a positive THC drug test result is due solely to CBD use, it is important to confirm the result using more specific methods, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or high-performance liquid chromatography. These methods can correctly identify THC and determine the amount of metabolite present in the body.
It is essential to note that initial screening tests do not measure the amount of the drug, so more precise confirmatory testing is necessary to obtain conclusive results.
Solutions offered by Kabla
Kabla offers strip and cassette drug tests to detect THC in urine samples. These tests are a useful tool for companies that want to conduct drug testing in the workplace.
