By Jenifer Brown
An issue that continues to come up is, what happens when a potential employee takes a drug test and fails because they used a CBD-oil product?
I feel compelled to address this because I know firsthand of instances where candidates did not obtain a position because of a failed drug test. They failed the drug test because they had used CBD oil for health and/or medical reasons believing it to be perfectly legal.
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of many active chemical compounds in the cannabis plant and has become legal in most states. It is not subject to the same drug laws as medical marijuana. Since it’s a dietary supplement, you can find it online, in health food stores and even in some pharmacies and retail stores.
An increase in the number of people using CBD oil, as it becomes more common and more acceptable, makes many people believe that it will not impact the pursuit of a new job or their current employment. However, some HTM professionals who used CBD oil have tested positive via a drug screening because of the presence of THC – the psychoactive component of marijuana. This test result happened even though CBD oil and CBD-oil products are labeled as THC-free.
As it turns out, depending on the source of the cannabis that is used to produce the CBD oil, some products contain trace amounts of THC (including low-quality isolates and full-spectrum tinctures).
While some CBD oils claim to be isolates, they may be full spectrum oils that actually contain more cannabinoids (such as THC) than they claim. It is worth noting that the medical industry has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drugs. This is even the case in states where marijuana is legal! Many health care organizations do an extensive 10-panel level drug screening when considering a new hire instead of the 5-Panel level test. However, it does not really matter because even the 5-panel screening can detect THC traces from some CBD-oil products.
This is an issue that even the FDA continues to research as it considers policies.
On April 2, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb issued a statement on new steps to advance the agency’s continued evaluation of potential regulatory pathways for cannabis-containing and cannabis-derived products.
The FDA has a webpage with questions to frequently asked questions on this topic that states: “Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in the development of therapies and other consumer products derived from cannabis and its components, including cannabidiol (CBD). FDA recognizes the potential opportunities that cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds may offer and acknowledges the significant interest in these possibilities. However, FDA is aware that some companies are marketing products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds in ways that violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and that may put the health and safety of consumers at risk. The agency is committed to protecting the public health while also taking steps to improve the efficiency of regulatory pathways for the lawful marketing of appropriate cannabis and cannabis-derived products.”
In closing, it is important to do your research before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications. Ask your doctor about treatment options and know the risk and benefits of each. And, when it comes to CBD oil and CBD-oil products do your homework as a CBD-free product may provide similar results without the risk of missing out on a new job.
