Summary with Timestamps for Podcast Show Notes:

• Driving and Cannabis (09:47 - 10:12)

  • Most states prohibit driving with any THC in the system.
  • CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC, potentially detectable in oral swab tests.

• CBD and Driving (10:12 - 12:55)

  • CBD-only products with absolutely no THC are legal to drive on.
  • No evidence of intoxication or impairment with CBD-only use.
  • CBD is not typically tested for in roadside swab tests; THC is the compound they are looking for.

• Tolerance to Cannabis Side Effects (11:15 - 11:41)

  • Regular cannabis use leads to the development of tolerance to side effects faster than to therapeutic benefits.
  • Intoxication is recognized as a side effect, and tolerance may diminish the feeling of intoxication over time.

• Challenges of THC Testing for Impairment (11:41 - 13:47)

  • Regular cannabis users may have a large amount of THC in their system but not be impaired due to tolerance.
  • Cannabis-naive individuals with small amounts of THC may be significantly impaired.
  • Oral swab tests detect recent contact with THC in the mouth, not THC in the bloodstream.
  • The test provides a positive or negative result without quantifying the amount of THC.

• Avoiding Detection with Cannabis Use (13:47 - 14:19)

  • Products that bypass the mouth (e.g., oils or decarboxylated dried flower capsules) may not register on oral swab tests.

• False Positives and Blood/Urine Tests (14:19 - 14:59)

  • Oral swab tests may produce false positives, causing unwarranted concern for recent use.
  • Subsequent blood or urine tests can detect THC metabolites, indicating cannabis use within the past month.