Will CBD Show Up On A Probation Drug Test?

It is common practice that during probation, the court will order regular drug screening to insure the individual abstains from drugs and/or alcohol. 

In this article we are going to explore the different probation drug tests, as well as if CBD will affect test results. 

The long and short of the answer: It depends. So let’s explore what “it depends” on.

When Will You Get Drug Tested On Probation?

Several important factors influence this, such as the state of probation, your specific PO (parole officer) and your relationship to them, what your offence was, and the judge overseeing your case.

Generally, court ordered drug tests are a routine procedure for probation. Some parole officers will drug test individuals each time they come in, however this is generally due to past offenses, or continued distrustful behavior. 

More commonly, individuals on probation are randomly tested, in combination with scheduled tests, for more effective results.

It is important to refrain from any and all drugs while on probation.

What Do Drug Tests Look For?

There are generally 10 Panel and 5 Panel drug tests.

5 Panel Drug tests

screen for cocaine, marijuana (THC/THCa), phencyclidine (PCP), amphetamines, and opiates. Alcohol is generally added to this panel for probation drug testing.

10 Panel Drug Tests

screen for cocaine, marijuana (THC/THCa), phencyclidine (PCP), amphetamines, opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, propoxyphene, and methaqualone.  Alcohol is generally added to this panel for probation drug testing.

The long and short of it: They test for the most common drugs people will take to get high. 

Marijuana is included here, however drug tests only look for THC/THCa, not CBD. It is important to keep in mind that some CBD products do contain THC.

Common Drug Tests Used During Probation

Urine remains the most commonly used drug test. However, blood, hair, and saliva tests are also commonly used. Once again, this will depend on the state, crime and your Probation officer.

Generally speaking, for drugs, urine and saliva tests are the most commonly used because they are simple, quick and effective. When testing for alcohol, a breath test is generally used.

When a more comprehensive picture of drug use is desired, a hair follicle test may be used because it can track drug use from the previous months (but not within the most recent 3-7 days).

Will CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

Technically speaking CBD will not show up on a probation drug test. This is because drug tests look for THC / THCa, rather than CBD. THC is the common cannabinoid found in marijuana, and it is the compound that gets people high. 

That being said, CBD products generally contain small amounts of THC (>0.3%). For some individuals, this is enough THC to test positive. Therefore, people are reporting positive drug test results from taking CBD.

How To Avoid Testing Positive With CBD

Not all CBD products contain THC. Only full spectrum CBD will have THC present. There are two forms of THC-Free CBD oils: Broad Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate. 

Broad Spectrum is our favorite, because it contains all the beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids, but the THC has been removed. This means you will get all the benefits of the entourage effect, without the risk of THC. 

CBD isolate tends to be less effective because it is only CBD. There are no other cannabinoids or terpenes present, which means you’re missing out on the entourage effect. 

The entourage effect is when the numerous compounds found in the hemp plant, including CBD, work together for a more effective result.

If you want to stay on the safe side, consider taking zero THC CBD oils, and order your own test to ensure you won’t test positive while on probation. 

An Important Note On Zero THC Products

We have heard reports of companies selling “zero THC” CBD, but when the oil is tested there is indeed trace amounts of THC. As well, some full spectrum CBD products contain more than the legal 0.3% THC limit. When CBD has over 0.3% THC it is legally considered marijuana.

Unfortunately, CBD is unregulated right now. That means poor quality and mislabeled oils are making their way to stores and websites across the USA.

Look for reputable companies. Ensure that the company you are buying from has 3rd party lab tests of their oils, and ask them to share those with you. This is especially important if you need a guaranteed zero THC product.

Other Risks With CBD and Probation Drug Tests

A recent study showed that CBD containing >0.3% THC triggered false positives on drug tests. So if you are on probation, avoid full spectrum CBD at all costs.

This study showed the CBD isolate triggered only 1 false positive out of 218 results (that’s a 0.5% chance of testing positive). This is your best bet if you need to take CBD while being on probation.

There are not conclusive results for broad spectrum CBD (CBD that has had all the THC removed but still contains other terpenes and cannabinoids). Anecdotally, people have only had issues when companies were selling poor quality products that were mislabeled. Those products contained THC, although the label said zero THC.

A Note On Parole Officers

If you have cultivated a healthy relationship of trust with your parole officer, consider communicating with them before taking CBD.

Explain to them why you need CBD, and that you will be taking a Zero THC CBD product. You can print off this article to share with them. 

There is a chance your parole officer will support your choice, or offer some good advice for you. Asking for forgiveness rather than permission is not advised in the case of CBD and probation drug tests. 

Generally speaking, a failed probation drug test is a failed test. Period. 

Take CBD At Your Own Risk

This article is for educational purposes only. Use your discernment. CBD offers a wide variety of benefits, especially for those under stress or who need to quit smoking marijuana. That being said, weigh the risk and reward of taking CBD while on probation.

If you stick to Zero THC CBD products, you will more than likely be in the clear. However, we can not guarantee this to be the case.