CBD’s therapeutic benefits are especially helpful to those who work long, strenuous hours like truck drivers. If you make your living behind the wheel, you may be wondering, “can truck drivers use CBD oil?” The answer is a bit complicated.
CBD is legal for all U.S. residents, but things get trickier if you want to take CBD on the job. Drug testing and employer restrictions may raise some serious concerns, but we’re here to sort things out. Read on to learn about the benefits of CBD, its current legal status, and special considerations for truck drivers.
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What Is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a natural compound found in hemp plants. CBD should not be confused with Delta 9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that gets you “high.” CBD is not intoxicating.
At Hollyweed, our CBD oil tinctures come from an eco-friendly CO2 hemp extraction process. We focus on the leaves and flowers of the plant, which are the most potent sources of cannabinoids, and ensure high yields and purity.
Once extracted, we combine CBD with a carrier oil to improve bioavailability (the absorption rate). The carrier oil in our tinctures comes from hemp seeds, a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids. The result is a versatile tincture that you can take sublingually (under your tongue) or add to your favorite foods.
Our CBD oil is full spectrum, which means it contains all of the compounds naturally found in hemp plants. This includes trace amounts of THC (0.3% or less) that shouldn’t be significant enough to cause intoxication. Full spectrum CBD products allow you to take advantage of the “entourage effect.” This refers to the combined power of all the cannabis compounds. Simply put, these compounds are more effective together than they are separate.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
CBD is federally legal in the United States, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, otherwise known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This means that all U.S. residents have legal access to CBD products no matter what state or territory they live in.
The Farm Bill states that CBD must be derived from hemp, not from marijuana plants. What’s the difference? Hemp and marijuana are both forms of the cannabis plant, but their Delta 9 THC content differentiates them. Cannabis plants with 0.3% Delta 9 THC or less are classified as hemp. Any cannabis plant that exceeds 0.3% Delta 9 THC is considered marijuana. Marijuana remains illegal on the federal level due to the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.
Can Truck Drivers Use CBD Oil?
Whether or not you can take CBD depends on a simple factor: who your employer is. From a legal perspective, truck drivers in the U.S. can take CBD because federal law permits it. However, some states place their own restrictions on CBD. If you are driving through multiple states, you should check out the regulations in each one.
It’s equally important to learn your employer’s rules. Some companies forbid their drivers from consuming any cannabis products, even CBD.
Is CBD Oil Safe for a Truck Driver?
CBD itself is well-tolerated and does not cause impairment. However, some CBD oils may contain traces of THC, which could cause you to fail a drug test. This is a major point of concern for most truck drivers, so let’s take a closer look at CBD’s status in the trucking industry.
What is DOT?
As all you professional truck drivers no doubt already know, DOT stands for the Department of Transportation. The DOT includes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which oversees the trucking industry.
The FMCSA’s primary duty is to reduce accidents involving large trucks and buses. To that end, they conduct drug tests on truck drivers. The FMCSA maintains a database called the Clearinghouse that contains records of all drivers who test positive for banned products or refuse to submit to testing.
Is CBD Banned by DOT?
No. The DOT mandates drug testing for truck drivers under its Code of Federal Regulations, but its drug and alcohol policy does not include CBD. To be clear, CBD itself will not cause you to fail a DOT drug test.
That being said, the DOT has issued a notice about CBD that truck drivers are advised to read. The full text of the memo is available on the DOT website, but we have summarized the key points here for your convenience.
- The DOT tests for THC but not for CBD.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not verify the levels of THC in CBD products. Due to this lack of federal oversight, some CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than the label states.
- A CBD product that contains THC can cause a positive drug test result. In such a case, medical review officers will not accept the taking of CBD as an excuse and will administer the same disciplinary actions.
Simply put, if you take a CBD product that contains some THC and you end up failing a drug test, the DOT will treat it as if you were consuming marijuana.
Is CBD Safe for Truck Drivers?
Yes, you can safely drive after taking CBD. CBD is not intoxicating. However, you must be sure that your CBD products are derived from hemp and contain no more than 0.3% THC. THC does alter cognitive function, and it is not safe to drive after taking products that contain more than the federal limit of THC.
How Does CBD Oil Benefit Truck Drivers?
CBD offers many wellness benefits that truck drivers may wish to take advantage of. These benefits may include:
- Relief from persistent aches
- Improved sleep
- Better digestive function
- Mental calm and clarity
The Bottom Line For Truck Drivers & CBD Oil
While CBD is federally legal in the United States, things are tricky for truck drivers. We have a few pro tips for you if you’re concerned about failing a drug test because of CBD oil.
Choose Broad Spectrum CBD Products or Isolates
Our CBD oil is full spectrum, meaning it contains trace amounts of THC. For this reason, CBD oil may not be the best choice for truck drivers. Another CBD product would be a better option. If you want CBD with absolutely zero THC in it, look for the words “broad spectrum.”
Broad spectrum products contain all of the compounds found in cannabis plants except for THC. Isolates, like our CBD capsules, contain nothing but CBD. These are better options for truck drivers who are concerned about getting trace amounts of THC in their system and failing a drug test.
Try CBD Topicals
Broad spectrum CBD products can save you from falsely testing positive for THC, but what can you do if your employer has a ban on CBD itself? If you find yourself in this position, consider CBD topicals.
Topical products include relief salves and body lotions. You can apply them for targeted relief from muscle aches. Applied topically, CBD does not enter the bloodstream, so it should not cause you to test positive.
Look for Lab Results
We previously mentioned the fact that the FDA does not verify the levels of THC in CBD products. The responsibility for doing so belongs to the individual companies, and here at Hollyweed, we take that duty very seriously. That’s why we have all of our CBD products tested by a third-party lab for potency.
These labs verify the THC content of our products and record the results in Certificates of Analysis (COAs). You can find the COAs for all Hollyweed products right here on our website.
Final Thoughts – Can Truck Drivers Use CBD Oil
As you can see, the question, “can truck drivers use CBD oil,” has no clear answer. CBD oil is perfectly legal, but you may not be able to take it depending on who your employer is and where you have to drive. Do your due diligence and thoroughly research CBD regulations in the states you drive to, as well as your employer’s policy toward CBD.
Don’t be discouraged. There’s more than one way to reap the rewards of CBD. Even if CBD oil isn’t the right choice for you, capsules, isolates, and topicals, just to name a few, can provide the benefits you seek.
