Can I Use CBD Breath Spray At Work?

If you already use CBD products, then you know their many benefits. CBD spray is an excellent CBD-delivery system because it’s easy to use, fast acting, and discreet. You can spritz it quickly and pop it back into a pocket or purse. However, when and where you can use your spray, or other CBD products, depends on several factors. 

Where you live

While all 50 states have legalized CBD products in some form, states have different rules and regulations regarding usage. Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington allow CBD use in virtually any form. However, states like Idaho and Nebraska don’t allow the use of CBD products that contain any percentage of THC, a.k.a. tetrahydrocannabinol. For those states that do allow CBD, legally it must contain no more than 0.3% THC (dry-weight), which is not enough to produce a psychoactive experience. You can learn more here.

The product formulation

The hemp plant can be formulated into different products, each producing varying effects. The key to knowing how these formulations differ lies in understanding these three terms: 

• Full-spectrum: Products labeled “full-spectrum” contain the hemp plant’s complete profile, that is, all its terpenes, flavonoids, cannabinoids, other natural compounds, and <.3% THC. Less than .3% THC should not (with standard use) cause a positive drug test result, however, that can also depend on individual metabolism and the amount of product consumed.
• Broad-spectrum: For products that specify “broad-spectrum,” THC has been removed from the product formulation. However, the plant’s remaining cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds found in full-spectrum products are preserved. If you are looking for THC-free CBD products with all other compounds preserved, these are the ones you want.    
• Isolate: Labels marked “isolate” contain a single cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant, rendering it 99% pure CBD, CBN, or CBG, etc. depending on which cannabinoid is isolated. Isolates do not contain any other hemp plant compounds and therefore have no THC to cause a positive drug test.  

Your employer

What you are allowed to do on your employer’s time and property is ultimately up to the employer. While some recognize the benefits of CBD, others do not. In recent years, employers have become increasingly lenient about the use of CBD in the workplace, but if you are unclear about office policy, you may want to ask your employer or human resources department about office guidelines. Getting a doctor’s note authorizing you to use CBD products may also provide a backup.  

Something else to consider is whether your employer requires drug testing? Many drug tests identify the presence of THC, and as long as you've purchased CBD products processed from hemp plants, the amount of THC can be “zero” in a CBD isolate/broad spectrum product or very small in a full-spectrum product. While the small amount of THC in properly manufactured and tested products should not technically cause a positive result for THC, on rare occasions, it can happen based on an individual’s metabolism and amount of product ingested.

One word of caution: hemp products are legally required to contain less than 0.3% THC. Without a Certificate of Analysis which states the amount of particular compounds in the batch you bought, you can’t be sure that a manufacturer’s batch and formula comply with the regulations. So, you want to make sure you’re buying CBD products from a reputable source that is transparent about their products. Here’s how to know:

Before purchasing your CBD, look to see that the company offers a certificate of analysis (COA), usually accessible on the company website or the product label. The COA will disclose exactly what is in the product and how much, including CBD, trace amounts of THC (if full-spectrum), and other compounds present in the batch. It should also list what isn’t in the product, like fillers, contaminants, or metals. You don't want to run the risk of popping a drug test or unknowingly carrying an illegal product into work. So, be diligent and check for that COA so you know exactly what’s in your CBD products.