Does CBD Syrup Show Up on A Drug Test?

Cannabidiol (CBD), is one of the most well-received natural compounds of modern times that provides lots of therapeutic benefits. You’ll find CBD in many forms including edible and topicals. CBD syrups are liquid edible CBD which is more like a regular syrup but infused with CBD concentration.

If you’re someone who has been taking CBD syrup for a while and needs to undergo a drug test, it is possible to be triggered with the question “Does CBD syrup show up on a drug test?”. Yes, you know that CBD isn’t a prohibited substance. Plus, consuming it on a regular basis won’t make you feel intoxicated.

So, clearly, you should not be worried about drug tests, right? But, first, you become skeptical when you recall that CBD is derived from the cannabis plant which is closely associated with THC. This means you cannot say exactly what compounds you’re taking apart from CBD.

Today, in this blog, we’ll make clear all your doubts and confusion regarding CBD syrups and drug tests.

Does CBD Syrup Show Up on Drug Tests?

Although CBD products including CBD syrups are derived from industrial hemp plants, it’s not impossible for CBD-infused syrup to show up on a drug test. However, the important note is that the chances of a positive drug test result for consuming CBD syrups are extremely low.

First of all, “CBD drug test” doesn’t exist! Why is that? Because drug tests never screen for CBD. They actually look for THC. CBD is considered safe and it’s a legally approved compound that you can use for various purposes. So, if a drug test found the presence of CBD in your system, it shouldn’t be a concern.

But the actual culprit here is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

According to Wikipedia, Most cannabis drug tests yield a positive result when the concentration of THC-COOH (THC) in urine exceeds 50 ng/mL. Since CBD and THC both are cannabinoids found in the same plants, there is always a risk of contamination of CBD products, leading you to fail drug tests.

Of note: THC is a psychoactive compound that makes people “high”. It’s closely associated with recreational marijuana. The extraction and refining processes can sometimes lead to contamination of CBD syrup with THC which can be the potential cause of positive drug test results.

So, it becomes complex to answer with “yes” or “no” whether CBD syrup shows up on a drug test or not.

Theoretically, CBD syrups made by reputed brands following the strict rules and guidelines regarding THC should not make you fail drug tests. It’s noteworthy that CBD products can legally contain up to 0.3% THC.

However, CBD syrups contaminated with THC can enter your bloodstream, or be stored in body fats over a period of time and lead you to “drug test failure”.

Both these things can occur. But for the most part, you should not be worried about CBD syrup and drug tests unless you’re consuming mislabeled and contaminated products.

Reasons Why CBD Syrup Should Not Show Up on A Drug Test?

As we’ve said, CBD syrups are not supposed to show up on a drug test. Let’s give you some reasons that clearly indicate that cannabidiol syrups will not show up in a drug test:

Drug test screen for THC metabolites, not CBD.
CBD is derived from hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% THC.
This trace amount of THC found in CBD syrups is usually below the threshold for detection in standard drug tests.
High-quality CBD products undergo third-party testing to ensure THC levels are within legal limits.
Broad-spectrum and Isolate CBD syrups don’t contain THC at all.

Note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD products. So, there is always a possibility of failing a drug test if you consume mislabeled and contaminated products. As long as you’re taking syrups from reputable sources, you should not think much about the drug test.

CBD Syrups and Drug Tests: Potential Risk Factors

CBD-infused syrups are usually safe for consumption and you’re less likely to test positive for THC. Still, there are some potential risk factors that may potentially lead to positive drug test results.

Here are some of the potential risk factors:

THC Content: Even a legally permissible trace amount of THC in full-spectrum CBD syrup could accumulate with regular use. This can increase the risk of a positive drug test result.
Sensitivity of the Test: Different drug tests vary in their sensitivity to THC. Some tests may detect even trace amounts, while others may have higher thresholds.
Dosage and Frequency of Use: The higher the dosage and frequency of CBD consumption, the greater the likelihood of THC accumulation in the body.
CBD Mislabeling and Contamination: Another risk factor is mislabeling and contamination of CBD products. According to 2020 research published in PubMed, out of 102, 49% of the products contain THC. Plus, inadequate quality control during the manufacturing process may introduce toxic chemical and biological contaminants, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

How Not to Fail a Drug Test After Using CBD Syrup

To mitigate any potential risk associated with drug tests, the first step is to become a conscious CBD user.

Here are some suggestions that can help you to avoid testing positive:

If you’re concerned about CBD syrup consumption and drug tests, you should look for CBD Isolate or broad-spectrum products that don’t contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at all.
Always make sure that products are sourced from reputable manufacturers with third-party lab testing to verify their contents.
You should get advice from healthcare professionals, especially if subject to drug testing. They can guide CBD usage and probable risk based on individual situations.
Be honest with the employers or testing authorities about CBD usage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some relevant questions and answers related to the main query “Does CBD syrup show up in a drug test”.

How Much THC in CBD Syrup Can Cause Positive Drug Test?

Generally, a tiny amount (up to 0.3%) of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be found in full-spectrum CBD syrup which should not cause any issue when it comes to drug tests. However, these small amounts of THC can build up in your body over time. A positive result is defined as a minimal baseline presence of THC, known as the cut-off level. A positive urine test, for example, detects more than 50 nanograms per milliliter of THC.

What Type of CBD Syrup Should I Take to Avoid the Potential Risk of Drug Tests?

There are three types of liquid CBD syrups available in the market. These are – Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, and Isolate. To be on the safe side, you should only consume CBD that is labeled as THC-free. Usually, CBD Isolate is the safest option to take to avoid any unwanted effects as well as the potential risk of drug tests.

How Long Does CBD Syrup Stay in Urine?

How long CBD syrup stays in the urine depends on the dosage and frequency of use. According to Forbes, if you take a standard dose, the detectable level of CBD may stay in urine for four to five days after consumption.

The Bottom Line

CBD Syrup is safe and mostly it is not supposed to show up on a drug test result. However, it is worth remembering that there is an increasing number of unregulated CBD products in the market. These products may be contaminated with higher levels of psychoactive compound THC.

Besides, they may contain harmful biological and chemical compounds as well. That’s why you should only purchase CBD syrups from reputed online shops, or cannabis dispensaries. Plus, When it comes to CBD drug testing, you must ensure that the syrups include the correct components and percentages. You can do it through third-party lab test results.

References:

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 15). Cannabis drug testing. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_drug_testing
Evans, D. G. (2020, October 1). Medical fraud, mislabeling, contamination: all common in CBD products. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7723146/#b6-ms117_p394