Can Truck Drivers Use CBD?

can truck drivers use cbd 2023

You may be wondering about the legalities and repercussions of truck drivers using CBD oil while on the job. After all, CBD is derived from industrial hemp plants (federally legal), and “hemp” has been improperly used to describe marijuana plants (federally illegal) for decades.

Not to mention, with Full Spectrum CBD products having trace amounts of THC, could truckers be at risk of losing their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) by taking these specific types of CBD-rich hemp extracts?

In this article, I cover all the notable concerns, fears, and common worries truckers may have about using CBD with a hyper-focus on answering the following question,Ā can commercial truck drivers use CBD oil?

See the Table of Contents on the left to jump to your preferred topic of interest.

FAQs

Here are the answers to the most common frequently asked questions about CBD that truck drivers have. From this section alone, you will obtain the tools and the knowledge to make an educated and informed decision about whether or not to add CBD to your diet.

Will I Lose My CDL If I Take CBD?

The answer is no; you will not lose your CDL if you take Broad Spectrum CBD or CBD isolate-infused products. However, you must check your company’s policy on drug use before taking a Full Spectrum CBD product.

Additionally, buying only from experienced and reputable CBD brands is essential. Failing to do so dramatically heightens the risk of using a CBD product where the contents inside the bottle differ from what the product label claims to be and have inside; a crucial step concerning the THC content in Full Spectrum CBD oils.

Is It Safe To Take CBD While Driving Semi Trucks?

Yes, it is safe to take CBD while driving. However, as with any substance, it’s essential to use caution and be aware of how CBD affects you personally. People sensitive to cannabis plant extracts may experience drowsiness or impaired motor skills when taking CBD, but more so with Full Spectrum CBD. To avoid unnecessary risks, be aware of how your body reacts before operating a motorized vehicle.

Will I Fail A Drug Test If I Take CBD?

No, you will not fail a drug test if you take isolated CBD (pure CBD) or Broad Spectrum CBD since these hemp-derived products are THC-free or have non-detectable amounts of THC. However, we do not recommend Full Spectrum CBD to truck drivers with a CDL as it imposes unnecessary risks.Ā 

If you’ve used a Full Spectrum CBD oil recently and are worried about a THC-positive drug test result, bring the bottle of CBD oil with theĀ Certificate of AnalysisĀ to your drug screening and inform the substance abuse professional in charge.

Doing this will help ensure that if any trace amount of THC shows up on the test, all parties will be aware that the THC came from federally legal CBD oil, not marijuana use.

What Are The Rules On Crossing State Borders With CBD?

The laws regarding CBD are constantly changing, so it’s crucial to stay up-to-date. Currently, CBD is federally legal in all states, but the regulations regarding CBD might differ from the rules set by truck driving companies that employ drivers. Further, all CBD products must be under 0.3% THC to be considered legal.Ā 

Which Is The Best CBD Brand For Truck Drivers?

There are thousands of CBD companies in the United States, but only a handful of these CBD brands put people before profits.

Here are a few key things to look for to ensure you’re working with the right CBD Brand.

  1. Choose a brand that offers all three variations of CBD products; CBD isolate, Broad Spectrum CBD, and Full Spectrum CBD. CBD brands that offer this have gone out of their way to make CBD available for everyone, not just a select group.

  2. Look for products that have Certificates of Analysis, COA for short. COAs are lab tests conducted by third-party laboratories which certify the cannabinoid potency matches the potency claimed on the product label.

  3. Only buy from reputable CBD companies, preferably those working with medical professionals and healthcare practitioners.

  4. Read the CBD reviews and customer testimonials from the company you wish to purchase CBD products. Since CBD brands control what is posted on their website, find reviews secured by 3rd-party review acquisition websites like Trust Pilot and Google Reviews. These reviews cannot be edited or removed from public viewing.

Why Do Truck Drivers Take CBD?

There are many reasons why truck drivers take CBD. Some truck drivers take CBD to help with chronic pain relief, muscle tightness in their neck and back, anxiety-related symptoms, and sleep quality.

Additionally, health-conscious truck drivers take CBD as a replacement for OTC medications because CBD hasn’t been shown to cause any serious adverse effects.

You’ve read the FAQs; now it’s time for the facts.

Legality: Federal and State CBD Laws

Here I outline some facts regarding the current laws and regulations surrounding CBD products at both the State and Federal levels and what commercial drivers with a CDL need to know about using CBD before, after, or while driving.

CBD was legalized in 2018 when President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill, less commonly but officially known as theĀ Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. The new law removed hemp from the Schedule 1 Controlled Substances list, reclassifying it as an agricultural commodity that could be grown for industrial, research, and wellness purposes like CBD oil.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) states that any product with a concentration of more than 0.3 percent THC is classified as marijuana, a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

To support the above, the DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) offers a “DOT CBD Notice” on its website. The first paragraph references theĀ Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, whichĀ states thatĀ CBD products derived from hemp with concentrations lower than 0.3% THC are not considered marijuana and are, therefore, not a controlled substance, thus, legal.

The 2021 FMCSA Clearinghouse Update

On May 27, 2021, a Clearinghouse Update was issued by FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This update’s purpose was to remind all CDL drivers to “exercise caution” when deciding whether to use Cannabidiol-infused products.

According toĀ MartinDale.com, a highly noted legal information provider with the “richest database of legal professionals,” there wereĀ five key points from this update that all CDL drivers need to know, expressed in the photo immediately below.

Dot-Fmcsa Clearinghouse Update 5 Key Points Cdl Must Know

Driving With CBD Across State Lines

Commercial truck drivers have many questions about CBD, especially regarding driving with it across state lines. We’ve already covered that federal law allows for CBD consumption as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and is derived from hemp plants. However, we want to give you a heads-up on a scenario I’ve only read about but never witnessed first-hand so take this precaution with a grain of salt.

If you carry a Full Spectrum CBD product, even if it has less than 0.3% THC, you may run into an unfavorable situation with law enforcement officials if they find the CBD oil and want to test the product to ensure that it is legal.

From time to time, police officers stop and search trucks at weighing stations or while crossing state borders, but from talking with law enforcement on several occasions, as long as your product is legal in that state and has a working QR code on the product label that shows the CBD product’s third-party lab test results (Certificate of Analysis) when scanned, you should be okay.

Again, CBD is the legal cannabinoid, and THC is the illegal cannabinoid, so the type of CBD you use should be taken very seriously. Doing this will help you avoid any potential problems or misunderstandings.

Drug Tests & Randomized Drug Screening Fears

You now know about CBD laws and regulations, but what about drug tests?
  • Does DOT test for CBD?
  • Can using CBD cause a false positive drug test for THC?
Some companies may have their own policies regarding their drivers’ use of CBD products. It never hurts to get the facts, so have a quick chat with your employer before using any CBD product, even if it is derived from hemp. One critical step to eliminate any possibility of failing a drug test is to ensure you take a CBD product that is THC-free and has certified 3rd-party lab test results for being ND-THC (non-detectable THC).

List Of Narcotics Big Rig Drivers Are Drug Tested For

Semi-truck drivers must comply with Federal drug testing regulations, and the Department of Transportation went the extra mile by creating a PowerPoint presentation titled,Ā Impact Of Hemp Legalization On Safety Oversight Of CMV Drivers.

This document offers a clear list of the narcotics forbidden to truck drivers; see the photo below.

Department Of Transportation Drug Test Guide Specific Narcotics They Test For

As you can see, CBD is not listed as one of the chemical compounds that DOT drug tests for, nor what theĀ MCSACĀ (Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee), which is responsible for providing recommendations to the FMCSA on motor carrier safety regulations, forbids truck drivers operating commercial motor vehicles from having in their system.

Thus,Ā THC is clearly shown to be the only compliance threatĀ concerning truck drivers using hemp and cannabis products, not CBD.

Choosing The Right CBD Product

My goal in this section is to help you find the perfect CBD product with the highest guarantee of obtaining the results you’re seeking whilst never jeopardizing your active CDL. To accomplish this, as briefly introduced in previous sections of this article,Ā truck drivers should only consume CBD products that have ND (non-detectable) amounts of THC or are completely THC-FREE.

CBD Isolates and Broad Spectrum CBD

In this section, I break down theĀ two CBD products that are perfect for truck drivers, with links to learn more and where to buy them.

  • CBD IsolatesĀ (THC-FREE) are a pure form of CBD isolated from all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and compounds in the hemp plant. Isolated CBD powder is the most concentrated form of Cannabidiol for sale online.
    • To learn more about CBD Isolate,Ā click here.
    • To view a list of pure CBD-infused products for sale,Ā click here.
  • Broad Spectrum CBDĀ (ND-THC) is a type of CBD product that contains CBD and other phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and compounds from the hemp plant,Ā except for THC. Two top-rated options for these products can be found immediately below.

While pure CBD isolate-infused products are significant, we recommend Broad Spectrum CBD for truck drivers because they are more efficacious and offer a multiplying effect of the benefits of CBD via theĀ entourage effect.

Purported CBD Benefits: The Real Reasons Why Truck Drivers Want To Use CBD

Commercial truck drivers like you spend long hours on the road, often traveling across the country. The stress of the job can be tough to manage, and many drivers are looking for ways to relax and ease tension. CBD has been shown to have several potential benefits for people in high-stress jobs, including:

  • helping improve anxiety and depression-related symptoms

  • relieve pain and inflammation

  • reduce stress

  • improve sleep quality

  • and increase focus

These potential benefits could benefit truck drivers who often deal with long hours, aching muscles, tight deadlines, and stressful road and weather conditions. Truck drivers may also find that CBD helps them stay calm and focused while on the road. This is especially true if your sleep quality improves, allowing you to wake up more refreshed and energized for the next long haul.

Lastly, CBD has been used by millions of people worldwide, and anecdotal evidence suggests that it is a safe and effective way to improve your overall health and well-being by supporting the proper functioning of yourĀ Endocannabinoid System.

Final Verdict: Can Truck Drivers Use CBD Oil Products?

The answer is yes.

Truck drivers can take and use CBD products given that there is no THC being consumed, the truck driver’s employer allows its use, the driver complies with all Federal Drug Testing Regulations, and all DOT warnings are considered.

With complete adherence to the above and only purchasing CBD products from trusted and licensed CBD brands, you’ll take all the necessary steps to ensure your safety.

If you are unclear about the side effects of CBD or need more guidance in any step of your CBD journey, we recommend contacting us and speaking with an MMJ doctor to ensure you get the most sound and accurate information possible.

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