When it comes to CBD, one of the most common questions people have is how long does it stay in the body and whether or not it will show up on a drug test.  The main concern is the presence of THC, which is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that can cause a high and is also the reason why marijuana is still illegal in most countries.

How does Canada treat THC in CBD?

In Canada, the legal limit for THC in CBD is 0.3%.  This means that if you consume a CBD product with this level of THC, it is unlikely, but not impossible, to show up on a drug test or cause any psychoactive effects.  However, it’s important to note that the length of time THC stays in your system can vary depending on a number of factors, including age, weight, metabolism, and how frequently you use CBD.

How long does THC stay in your system?

So, how long does 0.3% THC from CBD stay in your system? Here’s what you need to know:

THC is metabolized differently in the body

THC is metabolized differently in the body than other compounds, which can make it harder to determine how long it stays in your system.  When THC is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and then metabolized by the liver into a number of different metabolites.  These metabolites are then stored in the fat cells, which can take longer to clear out of the body compared to other substances.

THC can be detected in the body for several weeks

THC can be detected in the body for several weeks after it is consumed. In fact, a study published the Journal of Analytical Toxicology found that THC can be detected in the urine of heavy marijuana users up to 77 days after their last use.  However, it’s important to note that the length of time THC can be detected in the body will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of THC consumed, the frequency of use, and the individual’s metabolism.

Related Article:

Delta-8 THC vs. CBD – What are the differences

THC can be detected in the body through drug tests

THC can be detected in the body through various drug tests, including urine, blood, hair, and saliva.  Urine tests are the most common type of drug test used in Canada, and they can detect THC for up to several weeks after use.  Blood tests are less common, but they can also detect THC for several weeks after use.  Hair tests are less sensitive to THC, but they can detect it up to 90 days after use. Saliva tests are the least common type of drug test, but they can still detect THC for up to 72 hours after use.

Factors that can affect how long CBD stays in the body

There are several factors that can affect how long THC stays in the body, including:

Age

THC tends to stay in the body longer in older individuals, as their metabolism tends to slow down with age.

Weight

 THC is stored in the fat cells, so individuals with a higher body fat percentage may have THC in their system for longer periods of time.  This means that a person with significantly more fat concentrations could metabolize the THC compound more slowly than a slimmer person.

An individual’s gender may also be a factor.  Women have more body fat than men. This means that when they have THC in their system, they could metabolize the compound in their bodies slower.

Metabolism

Individuals with faster metabolisms may clear THC from their system more quickly than those with a slower metabolism.  No surprise here, if you want to test negative for THC then your body needs to process the THC from your system as fast as possible, along with all the metabolic chemicals associated with THC usage.

Related Article:

CBD for Running Injuries & Recovery

Exercise

Some people may think that if you exercise would burn away the THC in your system.  It is actually the other way around, it may actually increase the amount of THC in your body. Since THC is stored in the fat cells, burning those cells releases more THC in your system.  So exercising before taking a substance containing THC might not be the route to go.

Water Intake

Dehydration might also increase the concentration of THC in the body.  Even though drinking plenty of water to evacuate bad compounds from your body is unlikely to affect a drug test significantly, there’s a chance that severe dehydration might do the opposite.

Is it possible to fail a drug test due to 0.3% THC in CBD products?

It is possible to fail a drug test due to the presence of THC in CBD products, even if the THC content is only 0.3%.  Drug tests usually identify THC, along with its metabolites.  Even though these drug tests don’t screen for CBD, some CBD products still include a low quantity of THC. If this low quantity is detected, then this could theoretically make a person fail a drug test.  Most CBD is produced from hemp which is part of the marijuana plant and can contain up to 0.3% THC.

But why doesn’t CBD show up on a drug test to show that you are not using any other substance other than it?  Unfortunately, drug tests do not screen for CBD because CBD doesn’t produce any intoxicating effects as THC does.  This means that people that take CBD can still test positive for THC in their system.

What to do then if taking a CBD product might affect my drug test?

There are no sure ways of clearing your system other than abstinence from products that contains THC.  There are some products out there that are broad spectrum or CBD Isolates, which contain no THC. That could be a potential option for individuals that need CBD products to help with stress, muscle recovery, or sleeping.  From experience, if you are required to take a drug test and are concerned about THC being present in your system, just be truthful about taking CBD products. Individuals might be more receptive to hearing someone out about their consumption of products that could contain THC compared to someone saying that they do not take any products containing THC and have a test come back positive for THC.

At the end of the day, there is no sure way of getting rid of THC from your body other than time and abstinence from any products containing THC.  If drug tests are a common occurrence at your place of work, sport of choice or any other situation either be truthful about taking CBD products which may contain trace amounts of CBD or look for a product that is either broadspectrum or a CBD Isolate.