CBD has become very popular these days due to its potential to relieve a variety of health issues such as anxiety, migraines, epilepsy, etc.
While it’s found in marijuana, it’s usually legal and can be availed from places like grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and even online.
Still, CBD doesn’t come without its set of misconceptions and laws. While some think that it can get them high, some doubt its legality while driving.
But don’t worry as here we will clear them all and more. Read on.
Can I Get A DUI for Taking CBD?
In 2018, the United States federal government approved a bill that distinguished hemp from cannabis, making hemp-made CBD oil federally legal.
Still, every state has different laws related to the legality of certain substances, including hemp-made CBD oil, that may be different from the government’s ruling.
Because of this reason, it’s suggested to stay informed of state-specific laws related to CBD legality before you decide to drive.
While all 50 states in the USA agree that it’s not legal to drive under the influence of a controlled substance, CBD is not a controlled substance legally. So you won’t get a DUI when CBD driving.
Still, it’s important to keep the following things in mind before driving on CBD:
CBD THC Limit
The CBD products you use while CBD driving must not contain more than 0.3% THC. However, unfortunately, all CBD products don’t follow these guidelines.
As THC has psychoactive effects and can cause impairment, don’t forget to check the list of ingredients and COA (Certificate of Analysis) of your product before getting behind the wheel to make sure that CBD THC limit is under the limits.
Reputability
As hemp can have small amounts of THC, it can get inside your CBD products and possibly show in a drug test.
This is why it’s super important to buy from brands that guarantee the THC and CBD content of their products. Usually, brands will give a COA along with their products that verifies the product ingredients.
Third-party testing
One study found that a whopping 70% of CBD products have misleading product labels. To be sure that your CBD product has just what it says, COAs are administered by 3rd-party laboratories that test the structure of every product.
Travel restrictions
If you are travelling beyond state borders by car, the federal & state governments and FDA will impact your CBD usage while driving.
At last, we would advise you against CBD driving to stay away from a potential DUI charge. Even if you think that the product you are using has the legal amount of THC, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Stay at home or take a cab if absolutely necessary.
Is It Legal to Drive on CBD?
Can you drive on CBD? Well, CBD products made from hemp plants are federally legal in the U.S. However, CBD made from marijuana or CBD with higher THC levels than 0.3% is illegal. Hemp plants have a higher CBD-to-THC ratio.
THC binds to the receptors of the ECS (endocannabinoid system) and induces a psychoactive high, while hemp plants that have 0.3% of THC or less are not powerful enough to get a person ‘high’.
Although marijuana and hemp belong to the same cannabis family, they have different effects. For years, political leaders didn’t have appropriate information to distinguish hemp from marijuana strains.
While CBD is legal federally, it is not regulated fully by the FDA. This has developed a market that must take care of itself, which gives non-reputable corporations the chance to pursue untrustworthy business practices.
This implies that there are companies that are not totally honest with the ingredients of their CBD products.
It is important for your health to purchase from brands that give 3rd-party COAs. 3rd-party COA lists all of the cannabinoids and their concentrations in the product.
How Does CBD Work the System?
CBD interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is responsible for regulating the body’s internal functions and maintaining homeostasis.
It may induce a calming effect and may also serve as an anti-inflammatory to produce pain-relieving effects.
Nowadays, more and more people prefer CBD over pharmaceutical drugs and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to relieve a variety of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, pain, etc.
Conclusion
So that’s all folks. All you need to know about ‘Can I drive after consuming CBD? While CBD products have countless potential benefits for both your body and mind, it’s recommended not to take them before driving or doing anything that requires concentration.
We hope you enjoyed this post and gathered a lot of life-saving information from it. Stay tuned and Finexwell promises you limitless fun and informative posts like these. Till then enjoy, stay healthy, and drive safer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to drive after taking CBD gummies?
Yes it’s safe after taking CBD gummies as CBD doesn’t cause impairment. However some CBD or “hemp” products may contain impairment cueing substances so you need to be careful with them.
Can CBD affect driving?
Yes CBD can affect driving to some extent as it has the potential to produce drowsiness which may impair one’s driving ability.
Does CBD oil help with driving anxiety?
Yes, CBD oil and driving go well together to a great extent. In fact, some studies show that CBD may improve driving skills by reducing stress levels and improving reaction times among drivers.
Can I smoke CBD while driving?
No, smoking CBD while driving is not recommended as it can impair your reaction time and focus, posing a serious risk. It’s best to stay away from any substance that could harm your driving ability and compromise your safety on the road.
Can I mix CBD with alcohol?
No, you mustn’t mix alcohol and CBD as it can cause impaired coordination, drowsiness, and vomiting. Combining them can also increase the effects of the alcohol, making the person feel drunk and impaired faster.
How long does CBD stay in your system?
Depending on how much CBD a person is taking and how he is taking it, CBD can stay in his system from a few hours to as long as a month.
Whereas the half-life of CBD (the time to eliminate one-half of a substance) in the body is from 1 hour to up to 5 days.