Page Contents
Lower back pain comes with the truck driving job. While there are meds that can treat it, most of them have side effects that render truckers unable to drive safely. CBD oil can also relieve chronic pain, including back pain, so it comes as no surprise that many teamsters turn to this alternative treatment option. However, occasionally, there are reports of positive drug test results supposedly triggered by CBD oil use. Not surprisingly, truckies are wondering if it is legal to use it. So, can truck drivers use CBD oil? Before we can answer that question, we need to take a closer look at what CBD oil is, if it is legal, and which of its many benefits are useful to truckers.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid from the cannabis plant. However, cannabis also contains psychoactive compounds, such as THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. In the US, CBD products are only legal if they come from industrial hemp that contains 0.3% THC or less. The CO2 extraction method ensures product potency and purity.
CBD is all the rage nowadays. CBD-infused products can be used for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. Also, they are legal on a federal level, so they are in higher demand than ever.
Some of the most popular CBD-enriched products are oils, capsules, salves, and gummies. An increasing number of users can attest that these have helped them relieve symptoms of various conditions, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain.
Although CBD isolates are also available on the market, full-spectrum THC-free CBD oil is the most potent and effective. It has all the combined benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes that combine to give the “entourage effect.” And since it has zero THC, it is non-psychoactive and non-addictive.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
CBD extracted from industrial hemp that has insignificant amounts of THC, and that is grown by state-certified farmers has been legal on a federal level since the 2018 United States Farm Bill and The Hemp Farming Act.
Nevertheless, three states — Nebraska, Idaho, and South Dakota — retained their right to pass their own regulations that prohibit the use of CBD products.
How Can CBD Oil Help Truck Drivers?
People from all walks of life can benefit from CBD oil. Truck drivers are among the professionals most affected by chronic back and joint pain.
In fact, long-haul truck drivers spend 11 hours a day driving for weeks on end. Similarly, short-haul truckers go from point A to point B and back in 12 hours. The astonishing amount of time they spend behind the wheel takes a toll on their musculoskeletal system.
The standard medication prescribed to treat chronic pain are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and opioids. However, they all come with a long list of side effects, such as sedation, drowsiness, and nausea. Should truckers experience any of them, it would not be safe for them to drive until the symptoms have subsided. It is no wonder, then, that they are searching for novel solutions to relieve their pain. CBD oil may just be the perfect one!
Namely, CBD helps reduce chronic back pain by directly affecting the endocannabinoid system in the brain. It reduces pain perception in the brain and stimulates the production of serotonin, the so-called “happiness hormone.” On top of that, CBD has antioxidant properties that help suppress joint inflammation.
Can You Fail a Drug Test Because of CBD Oil?
Employers and the Department of Transportation regularly test truck drivers for drugs. Those who suffer from chronic back pain worry that CBD oil consumption would cause them to test positive on a drug screening and put their jobs in jeopardy.
In truth, CBD products that contain THC can trigger a positive result. However, that tends to happen with products from dubious dealers who do not adhere to what they claim on the bottles. Their products usually contain higher levels of THC than allowed.
On the other hand, reliable manufacturers, such as Joy Organics, offer full-spectrum, THC-free oil that passes drug tests. Their tincture is a safe bet because it comes from Colorado-grown organic hemp that doesn’t contain any THC. They use the CO2 extraction method and subsequently remove wax, chlorophyll, and THC to ensure that the final product is the purest, most potent THC-free CBD oil.
The Bottom Line — Can Truck Drivers Use CBD Oil?
Truck drivers can treat chronic back pain with prescription medication, which has many unwanted effects. Yet, CBD oil not only relieves chronic pain but also seems to have no adverse effects.
So, can truck drivers use CBD oil? Luckily, truckers can legally use it as long as it comes from a reputable dealer. A trustworthy manufacturer ensures their products are THC-free, which won’t put them at risk of failing a drug test. On our site, you can find many THC-free CBD oil reviews that you can legally buy from the comfort of your own home.