CAN HEMP SOAP CAUSE FALSE POSITIVES?

Hemp soap has many benefits, which are healthy for the skin and the body. However, hemp contains no THC, which is the substance that’s responsible for making people high. But some products contain 0.3% THC, which cannot affect the user.

In places where hemp CBD is famous, many people have been using them regularly, mainly for medical reasons. If you have been using hemp products, or it’s your first time, you may be wondering if hemp soap can show up during a drug test. Most cases, hemp cannot cause a false positive because it lacks THC. This article is mainly for those wondering if hemp can cause a false positive.

What Do Drug Tests Look For?

Drug tests are mainly used in certain industries and workplaces where most employees look for any signs of drug use that may impair the working ability of their employees.  However, hemp oil workers for pain relief or other conditions may be at great risk of failing a drug test. Principally drug tests can detect drugs in the body through blood and urine samples.

Most workplaces use urine drug tests as the main screen for marijuana use because it is accurate and cost-effective. Drug tests through the urine are designed to look for any amounts of THC metabolites in the system. They mostly don't look for CBD because Kicman & Toczek (2020) commented that it's an intoxicating compound and cannot cause impaired judgment during working hours. Some hemp products like tinctures and topicals contain traces of THC even though the amounts used in them cannot cause psychoactive effects. But if they are in large concentrations, they can be detected and cause a positive drug test result.

THC Cut Levels in Hemp Soaps

According to Angeli et al. (2018), the standard CBD cut-off levels for the presence of THC metabolites are mainly 50 ml. Any product above this level is detectable and can fail a drug test. However, many factors can influence the amount of THC present in the person at the moment of testing, like weight, body mass, and gender. Some soaps contain traces of amounts of THC, and if an individual uses higher doses, it can add up, and the levels of THC may end up being high enough, making them easy to be detected.

Why do some Hemp Soaps Contain THC?

There are mainly three versions of hemp: pure CBD isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum CBD. However, CBD isolate is an extract of CBD only and doesn't contain any THC or any other cannabinoids. On the other hand, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD are similar because they contain cannabinoids and terpenes. They both contain traces of THC, but they are low in the broad spectrum compared to the full spectrum.

Suppose you want to be on the safe side; it's best to use a hemp soap that's THC free. It would be best if you also bought them from trusted dispensaries because some products can have inaccurate labeling. Generally, ensure that the hemp soap you buy is federally licensed and tested. Good quality hemp soap has its content neatly printed on the label and is mostly produced by a reliable manufacturer. It can help reduce the chances of hidden THC and help to be more secure during drug tests.

Can Hemp Soap Make You Fail a Drug Test

According to Park (2015), the skin is one of the biggest barriers that protect the body from several things like UV lights, absorbing harmful chemicals, and preventing the invasion of pathogens. It can also offer protection from other toxins the skin may encounter throughout the day. Principally, cannabinoids are unlikely to enter the bloodstream and produce positive results in a drug test. If it is not consumed orally, it's unlikely that you will get a positive test, even if the hemp soap you used contains more than 0.3 % of THC.

Pless & Leson (2001) Hemp topicals or soaps are less likely to enter the blood system because they contain less THC, which cannot make the user high. Additionally, not all extraction methods are the same, and some may result in contamination. The best option to stay safe during a drug test is to choose a hemp product that has been proven completely THC-free.

How to Choose a Quality Product that Doesn't Contain THC

Hemp products are made with different methods. However, products made with broad-spectrum or multi-spectrum CBD contain no traces of THC. Therefore, before purchasing any hemp, it is recommended to look for a manufacturer that shares details of their extraction. Hemp soap products are mainly treated to ensure their main product doesn't contain THC. Additionally, look for a product willing to disclose their hemp supplements certificates of analysis of all their products. These documents carefully indicate which cannabinoids exist in their product. Anyone interested in buying CBD products should also read the product reviews and see what other consumers say about them. It will help to know if the hemp soap you purchase will help to fulfill individual desires. On the other hand, the product should be tested by a third party to ensure that it's safe to use on human skin.

The Bottom Line

Most drug tests won't screen for CBD or hemp because it cannot cause intoxicating effects and is also not an illegal controlled substance. However, people using hemp and CBD can still fail a drug test because some contain THC. THC is the substance responsible for making people high. Hemp products contain 0.3% THC, which cannot trigger any psychoactive effects. But if used heavenly, it can cause you to be high. Other drugs may interfere with the test results, creating a false positive. To avoid a false-positive test, you should purchase hemp products from a reliable source. It will confirm that the product does not contain any THC. 

References

Angeli, I., Casati, S., Ravelli, A., Minoli, M., & Orioli, M. (2018). A Novel Single-Step GC–MS/MS Method For Cannabinoids And 11-OH-THC Metabolite Analysis In Hair. Journal Of Pharmaceutical And Biomedical Analysis, 155, 1-6.

Kicman, A., & Toczek, M. (2020). The Effects Of Cannabidiol, A Non-Intoxicating Compound Of Cannabis, On The Cardiovascular System In Health And Disease. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 21(18), 6740.

Park, K. (2015). Role Of Micronutrients In Skin Health And Function. Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 23(3), 207.

Pless, P., & Leson, G. (2001). Assessing The Impact Of Thc Uptake From Hemp Oil Cosmetics On Workplace Drug Testing. Hemp Oil Cosmetics And Drug Testing. Lesson Environmental Consulting.