CBD and Driving: Are They Compatible?

CBD law in France, CBD and driving, CBD saliva tests and so on. These internet searches have become increasingly common in recent times as CBD products go mainstream. That is why many people have questions about CBD, particularly about its legality and the risks when driving. In this article, we will therefore cover 3 key points:

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

Let's try to answer these questions clearly.

1. The legality of CBD

First of all, European legislation on CBD is clear: CBD is not a drug. France has therefore been required to stop penalising CBD shops in France. Some CBD shops had indeed been prosecuted and convicted by the courts, but the rulings were then overturned by various French courts of cassation, another victory for CBD.

Thanks to these decisions, selling CBD in France is legal, as is using it. The world of CBD and everything around it is growing at a phenomenal pace, and more and more articles, reports and radio programmes are being devoted to it. This helps to destigmatise CBD, explain the benefits it can offer and finally set out clearly the reality of the famous "CBD vs THC" debate:

• THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol (the psychoactive molecule in cannabis), is a banned drug in France
• CBD, or cannabidiol, is an authorised food supplement

2. CBD and driving

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

CBD products come in different forms, including:

• CBD flowers (to be used in infusions, in cooking or vaporised)
• CBD oils to be taken as drops under the tongue or applied to the skin
• CBD resins
• CBD gummies
• CBD vape

Depending on the person, the form, the concentration, the amount and how often it is used, CBD can have a greater or lesser effect on attention, reaction time and the risk of drowsiness at the wheel. As with many medicines (antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication and, of course, sleeping pills, but also other classes of medicine such as anti-inflammatories), it is also not advisable to drive immediately after using CBD.

According to Drogues Info Service, how long the effects of CBD last differs depending on its form and how it is consumed:

Ingesting CBD

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

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

The effects appear within 5 to 20 minutes. They last 2 to 3 hours.

Smoking CBD (strongly discouraged due to its toxicity)

The effects appear within 5 to 15 minutes. They last on average 1 to 2 hours.

Vaporising or vaping CBD

The vapour is inhaled in one go and produces an immediate effect. The effects last 2 to 3 hours.

3. CBD and saliva tests

Some CBD products contain a legal amount of THC (a level below the 0.2% set by law), more commonly known as full spectrum CBD products. Other CBD products contain no trace of THC: these are broad spectrum CBD products. With pure CBD, there is no problem: the saliva test will come back negative.

If you use CBD that contains THC (within the legal limit), then, as with the effects on your driving, everything will depend on the form used, the concentration, the dosage and, above all, the amount. You will need to wait a longer or shorter time before driving.

Again according to Drogues Info Service, how long THC remains present in saliva also varies with use:

• Occasional use: 6 to 8 hours
• Regular use: up to 24 hours
• Heavy, daily use: up to 8 days

We are referring here solely to THC levels, and we would remind you that the THC level in CBD products must be below 0.2%.

As with alcohol and breathalysers, saliva tests for detecting THC are available for individuals to buy, and you can find them online. Choose the websites of the French laboratories that manufacture them to avoid scams. At first, this can help you assess the risk based on your consumption.

Do CBD and driving mix?

In conclusion, it is essential to allow a certain amount of time to pass between taking CBD (containing THC) and getting behind the wheel or onto the handlebars (motorbike or bicycle). As mentioned above, our body can take some time to eliminate THC depending on the form used, the concentration, the dosage and the amount.

The Cali Weed team