CBD and driving, is it compatible?

CBD law France, CBD and driving, CBD saliva test etc. All these search queries on the internet have been multiplying for some time with the use of CBD products becoming more widespread. This is why many people have questions about CBD, particularly its legality and the risks when driving. We will therefore address 3 crucial points in this article:

1. Is CBD legal in France?
2. Can I drive after consuming a CBD product?
3. If I am stopped by the police or the gendarmerie and I take a saliva test, will it be positive?

Let's try to answer these questions clearly!

1. Legality of CBD

First of all, European legislation on CBD is clear: CBD is not a drug. France was therefore forced to no longer penalize CBD shops in France. Some CBD Shops were indeed prosecuted and convicted by the courts, then the judgments were overturned by various French courts of cassation, another victory for CBD.

Thanks to these decisions, the sale of CBD in France is legal in the same way as its consumption. The world of CBD and everything that revolves around it is developing at a phenomenal speed and more and more articles, reports, or radio shows are dedicated to it. This allows us to de-demonize CBD, to explain the benefits it can provide and to finally clearly expose the reality of the famous "CBD vs THC" fight:

• THC or tetrahydrocannabinol (psychotropic molecule of cannabis) is a drug prohibited in France
• CBD or cannabidiol is an authorized food supplement

2. CBD and driving

CBD is appreciated for its pain-relieving, relaxing and anti-stress effects. It also improves the quality of sleep (other benefits of CBD are mentioned in our various articles).

CBD products come in different forms, including:

• CBD flowers (to be consumed as an infusion, in cooking or by vaporization)
• CBD oils to be taken in drops under the tongue or applied topically
• CBD resins
• Gummies CBD
• CBD Vape

Depending on the person, the form, concentration, quantity and frequency of consumption, CBD can act more or less significantly on attention, reactivity and the risk of drowsiness while driving. As with many medications (antidepressants, anxiolytics, sleeping pills of course, but also other classes of medications such as anti-inflammatories), it is also not recommended to get behind the wheel immediately after consuming CBD.

According to Drugs Info Service, the duration of the effects linked to taking CBD differs depending on its form and method of consumption:

Ingestion of CBD

The effects appear later, up to 1 hour after ingestion. They are less intense than with other modes of consumption but they last longer, on average between 3 and 6 hours.

Sublingual application of CBD (CBD oil drops under the tongue)

The effects appear in 5 to 20 minutes. The duration of action is 2 to 3 hours.

Combustion of CBD (strongly discouraged due to its toxicity)

The effects appear in 5 to 15 minutes. The duration of action is on average 1 to 2 hours.

Vaporizing or vaping CBD

The steam is inhaled in one go and provides an immediate effect. The duration of action is 2 to 3 hours.

3. CBD and saliva tests

Some CBD products contain a legal dose of THC (less than 0.2% required by law), more commonly called Full Spectrum CBD products. Other CBD products do not contain any trace of THC and these are Broad Spectrum CBD products. For pure CBD, no worries, the saliva test will be negative.

If you consume CBD containing THC (in its legal dose), then, as for the effects on your driving, everything will depend on the form consumed, the concentration, the dosage and especially the quantity. You will have to wait more or less time before getting behind the wheel.

According to Drugs Info Service, the presence of THC in saliva also varies depending on consumption:

• Occasional use: 6 to 8 hours
• Regular use: up to 24 hours
• Intensive and daily use: up to 8 days

We are talking here only about the THC level, and remember that the THC level in CBD products must be less than 0.2%.

As with alcohol and breathalyzers, saliva tests for the detection of THC are available for sale to individuals, you can find them on the internet. Prefer the sites of French laboratories that manufacture them, in order to avoid scams. At first, this can allow you to assess the risk according to your consumption.

Do CBD and driving go well together?

To conclude, it is therefore imperative to allow a certain amount of time to elapse between taking CBD (which contains THC) and taking control of the steering wheel or handlebars (motorcycle or bicycle). As seen above, our body can take a certain amount of time to evacuate THC depending on the form consumed, the concentration, the dosage and the quantity.

The Cali Weed team