Is It Legal to Take CBD Oil at Work?

CBD is gaining popularity every day, and it’s enjoying a surge of product lines from the thriving cannabis industry. However, CBD is not cannabis. CBD is an oil that can be blended to have very little THC or no THC at all. This substance can change lives, and many who deal with chronic pain have purportedly been able to manage their symptoms.

At the same time, using CBD at work is either frowned upon, against corporate policy, or outright illegal. While you may have discovered CBD and want to ensure your health and wellness, it’s necessary to look at the big picture so that you don’t get caught in the web of issues employees have encountered over the past few years.

Problems at Work

For some jobs, drug testing is normal. A recent story featuring a bus driver from Utah illustrates one possible outcome of using CBD on the job. The driver in question, one Jeanette Hayes from Salt Lake County, was terminated over her use of CBD oil.

Yes, CBD oil has very little or no THC, but it could trigger a positive drug test. Failing a drug test as a bus driver leads to termination in most cases. Jeanette was told to either resign or be fired. This situation repeats itself every day across America as well-meaning people use CBD as an alternative to traditional medicine, not thinking for a second that they could lose their jobs while taking a substance that is not intoxicating and entirely legal.

But You’re a Good Employee

You may be a wonderful employee, but corporations think in black and white terms. They see dollar signs, and they have policies they expect to be followed at all times. If you are a good employee, you could lose your job even though you have an otherwise spotless record. You cannot assume that your employer will give you a break.

Companies both big and small are often afraid of facing a lawsuit because it allowed an employee to use a badly perceived substance that may have led to a secondary issue. Corporations may not have updated their policies, or they simply do not know how to move forward.

Federal law enforcement officials are losing their jobs or facing disciplinary action for using CBD but testing positive for THC. Federal employees often work in situations for which they cannot be impaired at all, and it is easy to see why a drug test would be mandatory. At the same time, someone with a desk job may have a bit more leeway when it comes to remaining laser-focused throughout the day.

This dichotomy points to the issues faced by both employers and employees when addressing CBD.

There is no way for tests to differentiate between the THC found in CBD oil and the THC found in marijuana or other cannabis products. Additionally, it is nearly impossible for employees to wage a legal battle against their employers when they must work to survive.

Legality in Your State

The United States may be one country, but all 50 states have the right to set their own rules for CBD or THC use, production, and distribution. States like California, Illinois, Maine, and many others allow CBD or THC use. These states have given the green light for medical or recreational use, but that doesn’t mean employers are required to bend the rules for their employees.

Generally, businesses don’t need to adhere to the local rules for CBD or THC use. This means that you may be legally allowed to smoke a joint in front of a police officer, but you could be fired when you fail your company’s drug test. Consider the nuances of the situation before you use CBD or cannabis products.

Additionally, human resources managers are deeply challenged as they attempt to adhere to both company policies and local laws. In New Jersey, there are rules in place that allow employees to use legalized marijuana or CBD oil, test positive at work, and keep their jobs. Again, this requires research on the part of the user, and it does not apply to all occupations.

The rules in New Jersey and states like Oklahoma prevent employers from disciplining their employees for using CBD or THC products, but they may be disciplined if they are impaired or intoxicated at work. In New York, new laws prevent employers with more than four people on their staff from ordering drug tests. There are exceptions, however, for industries like child care or law enforcement.

Protect Yourself

When employees want to use CBD oil or other CBD products, there are several things that people can do to protect themselves from trouble at work. Employees are encouraged to:

• Visit a doctor and obtain a prescription or recommendation to use a CBD or THC product
• Obtain those items from a legal pharmacy
• Keep all receipts
• Notify your employer in case there is an issue

While your employer is not required to do anything about their current drug policies, you may receive an exemption. If not, you must ask your employer if there are other options for drug testing. If you belong to a union, you should speak to your union representative about the situation so that they can advise you on the best course of action.

As with Jeanette Hayes, you may choose to take a job that does not require drug testing to avoid this mess altogether. In Jeanette’s words, she was never going to touch the stuff until she found a job that did not mandate drug tests.

You can never be sure what is going in your body because there is no way for you to test the purity of your CBD oil at home. Moreover, you may not be aware of how that product might affect you if you have not used it before. Experts recommend that you try CBD for the first time during your off-hours, not at work, and that you remain apprised of your company’s drug testing schedule/policy. If at all possible, consult your employer about your need for further medical intervention beyond standard medications that do not appear in drug tests.

What Should Employers Know?

Employers sit on the other side of the CBD debate, wondering how they can remain open to their employees, offer their employees a safe space, and ensure simple policies and procedures do not get in the way of productivity and a positive work environment.

Will CBD cause employees to perform poorly? No. Most people can continue to work if these products are treating symptoms that would make it otherwise difficult to work. At the same time, some people may be impaired if their CBD is not pure. This is why we recommend using SUPA Naturals as much as possible.

How Long Does CBD Stay in Someone’s System?

CBD stays in someone’s system for two to five days, but it all depends on the amount of CBD that was ingested, as well as the person’s body chemistry. This is why employees and employers need to understand that CBD is not a normal medication that will behave like regulated drugs prescribed by a doctor. Employees can never be sure when CBD will be out of their systems, and employers may not have issues with productivity if the doses are both pure and small.

Employee Education is Key

Employee education is key when discussing CBD oil. It makes sense for employers to educate their employees on the realities of CBD and what this substance may mean to them. If the business does not require drug tests, it may be helpful to educate employees on how CBD can impair their functionality or judgment. While this is a small thing, it can help the business keep employees happy, open a line of communication, and ensure that employees are not shocked by positive drug tests or adverse reactions to this medication.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil can be derived from either hemp or cannabis plants, and it is simply an essential oil that can be extracted from the leaves of these plants. Cannabinoid oil is something that can change the way you address a range of health issues. Your doctor may find it helpful, and you simply need to understand what it is and how it can help you.

While there is not a massive amount of research on the subject, CBD oil has been tied to pain management, sleep management, and controlling anything from headaches to anxiety and depression.

CBD is found in a wide range of products, and people can buy anything from soap to lotion, bath bombs, capsules, tablets, and essential oils. The delivery method is different depending on the person and the situation, and it is often used throughout the day to control a range of medical or mental symptoms.

While doctors may recommend these products to patients, a prescription is not required. This is why some employees may find themselves in a bad situation—because they don’t need medical clearance to use CBD oil.

CBD oil blends are common, and they are often offered in “full spectrum” varieties that have traces of THC and “broad spectrum” varieties that are supposed to have little to no THC. As a result, users may believe that they couldn’t possibly be ingesting THC when, in fact, every CBD product they use may have traces of THC that can cause a positive test result.

But the Industry is Growing

The cannabis industry is growing every day due to legislation like the Farm Bill. This bill has allowed cannabis companies to grow quickly. Its passage in 2018 legalized certain types of cannabis because any plants that have less than .3% THC are no longer considered illegal. This critical number has been important as the industry grows. However, anything containing more than .3% THC is considered marijuana and should be controlled.

Hemp is easy to grow and completely legal. It is another way to find the CBD that some companies need to make their products. This alone allows the industry to flourish because customers can now take advantage of two sources.

Someone who has a problem with cannabis might use CBD that is extracted from hemp plants. Someone who doesn’t care whether or not they are using cannabis may well purchase CBD products that were derived from cannabis.

The industry is regulated, but some loopholes allow for a certain amount of THC contamination in CBD oil products. As a result, some people might use CBD and fail drug tests without realizing they were ever at risk.

Approved Medicinal Products

The Food and Drug Administration has only approved two different CBD-derived products for epilepsy. While this is a breakthrough that can help many people control their medical conditions, that doesn’t mean that a positive test would prevent disciplinary action at work or shield an employee from the scrutiny of their employer.

SUPA Naturals: A Trusted CBD Choice

When users are looking for CBD products that are just right for their medicinal needs, they can turn to SUPA Naturals. There are several different products in the SUPA Naturals catalog, and each one is made with non-GMO products that are both organic and USA-grown. Moreover, SUPA Naturals hopes to remove residual solvents and other harmful items from its products. This makes CBD cleaner for everyone who uses it, ensuring a pure compound every time. Still, it’s always important to start with smaller doses and work your way up, as every body responds differently to CBD.

Try SUPA Naturals CBD Products

Allow SUPA Naturals to make a positive change in your life. These water-soluble products are easy to use, fit into your daily routine, and give you the dose of CBD you need. For further information, reach out to your doctor for a prescription or recommendation. Speak to your employer about any issues you may have with drug tests, and place your order on the SUPA Naturals website today.