Will CBD Show Up On A Hair Follicle Test?

CBD (Cannabidiol) can be derived from both hemp and non-hemp plants which is available in the market in various forms including CBD edibles and topicals. Hemp plants are part of cannabis sativa plants that contain up to 0.3% THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). 
 
THC is a psychoactive mind-altering substance, found in marijuana. It can induce you “high”, or “euphoric feelings”. 
 
So, if you’re a regular user of any hemp-derived CBD products for receiving various therapeutic benefits, it is not surprising for you to ask: Will CBD show up on a hair follicle test? 
 
Today, in this blog post, we’ll answer in detail whether CBD can show up on a hair follicle drug test or not. 
 
But, first, let’s start with some basics.

What Is Hair Follicle Drug Test?

Simply put, a hair strand drug test checks for drug use by analyzing a sample of clipped hair, not the follicle under the scalp. 
 
This test analyzes the 3cm of hair closest to the scalp, covering approximately three months of growth.   
 
A hair follicle test detects substances like amphetamine, marijuana, opioids, and more within the past 90 days. 
 
This drug test can be requested by your employer before they hire you to screen for controlled substance use or illicit drug use. 
 
During the test, a hair collector will likely collect 100 to 120 hairs from the crown of your head. If you’ve little to no hair, he/she will collect hair from the other parts of your body and send it to the drug testing lab. 
 
Note that you can wash, dye, or use styling products, these actions will not affect the test results. The results delivered confidentially show a negative or positive outcome within 24 to 72 hours. 
 
Hair follicle tests cannot pinpoint the exact date of drug use due to varying hair growth rates. This test follows strict standards to ensure accuracy, with costs ranging from $64 to $125. 

How Long Does CBD Stay in Hair Follicles? 

When you consume CBD whether through sublingual or oral method, it is absorbed by the bloodstream and then transported by the blood throughout the body including your hair follicle. 
 
Not all CBD products are made equally. So, how long CBD will stay in your hair may vary based on several factors. Besides, CBD products don’t affect everyone similarly.

If THC is present in CBD may be detectable in a hair follicle test for up to 90 days.  
This is a maximum estimate. For some users, it may be less. 
Note that the exact duration varies among individuals.  
Regular CBD users may have residues for at least two months after the last consumption, while occasional users might not show CBD in their hair after three weeks or sooner.

 

The following factors may affect this duration as well:  

• Age (older people tend to keep CBD longer in their bodies/hair than young folks) 
• Metabolism (Duration can be affected by faster or slower metabolism) 
• Body Weight (CBD is fat soluble, users with more body fat can store CBD longer) 
• Exercise and a healthy lifestyle affect the duration and speed of THC elimination as well. 

Also read: How Long Does CBD Stay in Saliva? 

Will CBD Show Up On A Hair Follicle Drug Test?

No matter what kind of drug test you're doing, it's perfectly OK if they find CBD or any cannabinoids other than THC. 
 
Because CBD is legal and not classified as a controlled substance under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, you are free to use it without any documentation or a prescription. 
 
Besides, different types of drug tests including blood tests, saliva tests, urine tests, and hair follicle tests don’t look for CBD, but THC. 
 
So, does CBD show up on a hair follicle test? The simple answer is it might be detectable in hair if the CBD products you’ve consumed contain THC. 
 
But, not all CBD products possess THC.  
 
Only full-spectrum CBD can contain up to 0.3% THC. However, there is a possibility that this small amount of THC will not show up in a hair test. Still, it’s better safe than sorry!   
 
Besides, Broad-spectrum CBD contains all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but not THC. So, this should also be considered safe while undergoing any drug tests. 
 
Nevertheless, If you want to make sure that you remain undetectable during the hair follicle test, you should only take CBD Isolate (Pure CBD) which has nothing but CBD. 
 
Another key aspect of CBD and hair follicle tests that will make you feel more at ease is that the testing procedure utilized to detect CBD and THC is unreliable. Therefore, it does not prove cannabis usage. 
Relevant: Does CBD Show Up On Drug Test Probation? 

CBD and Hair Follicle Test: Potential Risk Factors

Many potential risk factors could potentially make you fail a CBD hair follicle test. 
 
CBD products are not regulated by the FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) except Epidiolex.  
 
A 2017 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association indicates that a significant number of products are labeled inaccurately. 
 
Besides, many CBD-infused products sold in the black market don’t follow the FDA guidelines. They often contain a variety of false medical claims. 

A 2020 research conducted by the FDA revealed that out of 102 CBD product samples, 49% of the CBD product samples tested contained THC, and 18% of products contained less than 80% of the amount of CBD indicated. 
 
The increasing number of mislabeled and contaminated CBD products can potentially fail CBD drug tests including a hair follicle test. 

Here is a list of CBD hair follicle test risk factors that you should keep in mind: 

• Mislabeled CBD products may contain more than 0.3% THC. 
• Legal THC (up to 0.3%) can also be a problem, especially if you take higher doses. 
• Consuming CBD products bought from the black market may lead to positive drug test results due to contamination and mislabeling.
• In some cases, full-spectrum CBD can result in positive hair follicle test results.

Tips to Avoid Positive Hair Follicle Drug Tests after CBD Use

Though CBD is legal, it doesn’t ensure you’ll pass a drug test after CBD use. But there are ways which you can practice to avoid positive hair test results.

Consider practicing the following tips to pass a hair follicle drug test: 

1. Avoid higher doses of Full-Spectrum CBD Products 
2. Consume CBD Isolate (pure CBD) to be on the safe side 
3. Learn about how to get THC out of your system fast 
4. Purchase CBD products from trustworthy and reputable CBD dispensaries/ online shops 
5. Always check COA (Certificate of Analysis), USDA-certified organic, pesticide, and herbicide-free.  
6. Avoid purchasing CBD-infused products from the black market 
7. Keep yourself hydrated to eliminate THC and its metabolites from the body 
8. Engage in physical activity, and maintain a healthy lifestyle 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some relevant questions and answers related to the topic “Will CBD show up on a hair follicle test?”.

How Long Can Hair Follicle Detect Drugs?

Hair follicle drug tests can detect illicit substances including THC for up to 90 days. Note that you’ll be more likely to test positive if the CBD products you have consumed contain significant levels of THC. Otherwise, consumption of legally approved CBD products that contain little to no more than 0.3 percent THC, is unlikely to show up on a hair follicle test. 

What Will Mess Up a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

Some hair treatments or hair care products including shampooing, coloring, relaxing, and bleaching may affect the hair follicle test results. 

Will Vaping CBD Show Up on Hair Follicle Tests?

Vaping CBD products that contain THC might show up on a hair follicle test if it contains a notable amount of THC. When you vape any CBD, it enters your bloodstream through your lungs and may end up in your hair follicle. 

How to Detox THC Before a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

To eliminate THC quickly from your body, you need to keep yourself hydrated, do regular physical exercise, and increase fiber intake. These are natural ways to detox THC. There are other ways as well. For example, detox kits can eliminate THC from the system. However, these are not considered proven methods. 

The Bottom Line: Can CBD Show Up in a Hair Test?

Cannabidiol is not detectable in CBD hair follicle tests, but THC is. 
 
If you consume a full-spectrum CBD product that contains a high concentration of THC compound, this can show up on a hair follicle test. However, generally, CBD products are extracted from hemp plants. 
 
It means that CBD-infused products do not contain more than 0.3 percent THC according to the Farm Bill Act 2018. This small amount of THC is unlikely to show up on a hair test.  
 
Nevertheless, to err on the side of caution, make sure to avoid using products collected from unreliable sources. Besides, before buying CBD, check whether they are offering any certificate of analysis or lab test results. This will ensure you’re taking accurately labeled products. 

References: 

Can I drive on medicinal cannabis products? - Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (n.d.). https://adf.org.au/insights/medicinal-cannabis-driving/ 

Bonn‐Miller, M. O., Loflin, M., Thomas, B. F., Marcu, J. P., Hyke, T., & Vandrey, R. G. (2017). Labeling accuracy of cannabidiol extracts sold online. JAMA, 318(17), 1708. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.11909 

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/