Hemp and More.org

If I recently consumed hemp foods, could I fail a drug test?

If the only source of the psychoactive THC in your body is from hemp foods, produced from Canadian grown hemp seeds and eaten in reasonable quantities, it is virtually impossible to fail a drug test by ingesting hemp foods due to the fact that THC levels in our products are barely measurable.

The TestPledge program is a voluntary commitment by the North American hemp food industry to limit THC concentrations to levels where they cannot result in positive drug tests. Nutiva joined the TestPledge program in 2001. Nutiva’s hemp food products meet Canadian government and TestPledge standards for hemp foods.

We recommend that you read the TestPledge Answers page first. If you need more technical information please download and read the study summary “Evaluating Interference of THC in Hemp Food Products With Employee Drug Testing,” which was prepared by Gero Leson, D.Env. and Petra Pless. Please click here to download. (PDF file 21k)

10-17-2007
Here is an e-mail received about Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein powder and drug testing from a Department of Defense employee:

I work for the Department of Defense and was finally selected for random urinalysis after 18 years. I wasn’t the least bit worried – until that night when I went home to fix a fruit shake in which I use your hemp protein powder. As I took it out of the refrigerator, it suddenly occurred to me that it has a very small amount of THC in it. Having been a drug/alcohol abuse officer in the Air Force years ago, I understood the potential implications, including the fact that THC is detectable far longer than many drugs of abuse. I called Nutiva the next day, and was told that because you can’t ever know what other behaviors a customer may be engaging in, you cannot say for certain that your products could not cause a positive urinalysis for THC. However, I was assured that it was HIGHLY unlikely by itself – especially the protein powder because of the way it’s processed (i.e. lower oil content than some other products). I promised to provide you with feedback either way my test turned out. My understanding is that the Department of Defense uses state-of-the-art testing. I passed, despite using your hemp protein powder multiple times every week for months. I know it’s no guarantee, but it may relieve others who are not using illegal substances but who may be using your products, and become concerned about drug testing. Thanks.