CBD use is rising across the workforce. It’s often marketed as non-psychoactive and legally safe, leading employees to believe it won’t affect drug testing. But mislabeled or contaminated CBD products are now triggering failed tests nationwide, and it’s the employees who bear the consequences.
Employees must understand the gap between perception and reality when it comes to CBD use. If THC shows up on a drug test, the source doesn’t matter. Whether it came from a mislabeled CBD product or recreational marijuana, the outcome is the same: a failed test with real consequences. No explanation or intent will change the result or excuse the violation.
Understanding the Risk Behind the Label
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating compound derived from hemp. It’s legal at the federal level in many regions and marketed widely for pain relief, anxiety, and sleep support. However, many CBD products, especially those labeled as “full-spectrum,” contain trace amounts of THC.
This mislabeling puts businesses at risk, especially in environments where compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) standards or other regulatory frameworks is non-negotiable.
Why This Matters for Workplace Testing
Companies depend on drug testing to reduce liability, ensure safety, and meet both internal and external policy requirements. But THC contamination in over-the-counter CBD products introduces several problems:
- False confidence in compliance: Employees believe they are using legal, THC-free products when in fact they are ingesting trace cannabinoids.
- Disputes over test results: Workers may contest disciplinary actions, creating administrative burdens and potential litigation.
- Increased need for retesting and review: Employers must spend more time validating results and managing appeals or re-tests, especially when medical review officers (MROs) become involved.
Assumptions about CBD product safety can lead to serious employment consequences. Drug testing policies are governed by federal and industry regulations, which remain unchanged regardless of how THC enters the system. Products labeled as THC-free may still result in positive tests, and those outcomes are treated as policy violations.
Policy Clarity in a Shifting Legal Environment
The CBD market is largely unregulated. While some brands offer reliable third-party testing, many do not. This creates a wide variance in product quality and content. Without clear workplace guidance, employees may unknowingly violate company drug policies by using contaminated or mislabeled CBD.
New marijuana laws may create confusion, but drug testing policies remain clear. Despite changes in state legislation, workplaces must still follow federal regulations, especially in safety-sensitive industries. Employees must not assume that legal changes offer protection if they test positive for THC.
Reliable Testing Solutions for Employers
MedPhysicals Plus provides drug testing services tailored to employer needs. We understand the risks created by CBD contamination and help companies respond with clear, science-based support. Whether you’re building a new testing program or refining an existing one, our team is ready.
With testing locations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Wasilla and expert guidance available, we help employers maintain safety, compliance, and clarity.
Avoid confusion, reduce liability, and protect your workplace. Start your program with MedPhysicals Plus today.