The world of weed has always been niche, but now it is more convoluted than ever. From the alphabet soup of cannabinoids to the confusion about THCA versus regulated weed–lots of people are left scratching their heads trying to understand what’s going on. Having a base understanding of what these things mean becomes especially important for people who are regularly drug tested. However, the drug tests might be confusing, too.
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THC is the cannabinoid deemed most responsible for that high feeling. Cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabinol (CBN) rarely get people exceptionally stoned, though some report feeling light effects from CBD. People often take these low-psychoactive substances like they do vitamins and supplements to have a positive wellness effect.
Anyone interested in getting better sleep has likely heard of CBN. Preliminary studies show it may produce more restful slumber, but proceed carefully. A research paper published in 2020 revealed that enough CBN in the system may trigger a positive THC drug test. Researchers tested whether two commercial drug tests picked up CBD, CBG, CBC, or CBN as a positive THC result. To do this, they used patient samples that initially tested negative for THC. They then added isolates of each cannabinoid individual tests until the urine tested positive.
EMIT II Plus assay and the Microgenics MultiGent drug tests cross-reacted with CBN. There were no positive results from the CBD, CBG, or CBC at any concentration. EMIT required five-fold more CBN than THC to reach the cutoff concentration for a positive cannabis test. The Microgenics assay required 20 to one CBN to THC to pop a positive. Those who take large quantities of CBN or regularly take a supplement that might build up residually may reach this concentration.
These results are isolated to this study but raise a red flag. People who are drug tested for work or to remain living in their house may want to steer clear of products made with CBN. A good night’s sleep may not be worth hard days ahead.
