Oral CBD at doses up to 1,500 mg produced zero false-positive results for THC on two standard roadside drug testing devices across 515 tests.
CBD users who drive, law enforcement, occupational health professionals
0 false positives across 515 tests
What the researchers found
Among 259 DrugWipe 5S and 256 DrugTest 5000 tests following oral CBD administration (placebo, 15, 300, or 1,500 mg), no THC-positive results were observed. THC, cannabinol, and cannabigerol were not detected in any oral fluid samples, confirming that pure oral CBD does not cross-react with THC assays.
Why it matters
CBD users, particularly those driving while using prescribed or over-the-counter CBD products, face uncertainty about whether roadside drug tests could falsely flag them for THC. This study provides clear reassurance.
The numbers in context
17 participants; 515 total tests (259 DW-5S, 256 DT5000); 0 false positives; CBD doses: placebo, 15, 300, 1500 mg; peak oral fluid CBD at 1500mg: 167 ng/mL
How the study worked
Double-blind, crossover design with 17 healthy participants completing 4 sessions. Two standard point-of-collection oral fluid testing devices (DrugWipe 5S and DrugTest 5000, both with 10 ng/mL THC cutoffs) were administered at baseline and 3 post-treatment timepoints.
What this study cannot tell us
Only tested pure CBD without THC. Many commercial CBD products contain trace THC that could produce different results. Only tested two specific devices.
How to read the evidence
Well-designed double-blind crossover RCT with objective testing on validated devices, though small sample size.
When this study was published
Published in 2022
The bigger picture
As CBD products become mainstream, users need to know whether they risk false-positive drug tests. This study demonstrates that pure oral CBD formulations do not trigger THC-positive results on standard roadside devices.
Questions still open
- Would full-spectrum CBD products containing trace THC produce false positives? Do vaporized or sublingual CBD formulations behave differently on oral fluid tests?
Common questions
Will CBD make me fail a roadside drug test?
Could full-spectrum CBD products cause a positive test?
Read the original research
Orally administered cannabidiol does not produce false-positive tests for Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol on the Securetec DrugWipe® 5S or Dräger DrugTest® 5000.
Drug testing and analysis, 14(1), 137-143
Citation
McCartney, Danielle; Kevin, Richard C; Suraev, Anastasia S; Irwin, Christopher; Grunstein, Ronald R; Hoyos, Camilla M; McGregor, Iain S. (2022). Orally administered cannabidiol does not produce false-positive tests for Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol on the Securetec DrugWipe® 5S or Dräger DrugTest® 5000.. Drug testing and analysis, 14(1), 137-143. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3153
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