Can You Drive on CBD? Safety, Research and the Law
Research suggests CBD on its own does not impair driving the way THC does. But drowsiness and hidden THC are real risks. Here is what to know before you drive.
If you use CBD, it is reasonable to wonder whether you can drive afterward. Research so far suggests that CBD on its own does not impair driving the way THC or alcohol does. But there are two real risks to keep in mind: CBD can make some people drowsy, and some CBD products contain THC. Both can matter behind the wheel and in the eyes of the law.
Key takeaways
- A 2020 driving study found CBD alone did not impair driving, while THC did.
- CBD can cause drowsiness in some people, especially at higher amounts or with other substances.
- Products with THC can impair you and can cause legal trouble, even at small amounts in some states.
- Do not drive until you know how a product affects you, and never if you feel sleepy.
What the driving research shows
The best-known study on this question was published in the journal JAMA in 2020 by researchers at the University of Sydney. Volunteers vaporized cannabis that was mostly CBD, mostly THC, a mix of both, or a placebo, and then took simulated driving tests.
- CBD-dominant cannabis did not impair driving compared with placebo.
- THC-dominant and mixed cannabis caused measurable impairment, such as more weaving within the lane, during the first hour or two.
This was a controlled study with healthy volunteers, inhaled cannabis and specific amounts, so it cannot answer every situation. But it supports what is known about CBD: it is not intoxicating in the way THC is. You can read more about that in is CBD psychoactive?
The real risks
Drowsiness
Sleepiness is one of the most common side effects reported in clinical trials of CBD, mostly at high doses. With everyday products, some people notice it and others do not. Drowsy driving is dangerous whatever the cause. If CBD makes you sleepy, do not drive.
Combining CBD with other things
CBD can add to the drowsiness caused by alcohol, sleep aids, some allergy medicines and other sedating drugs. It can also change how some medicines are processed by the liver. If you take medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using CBD, and especially before driving. Our article on CBD and alcohol covers that combination.
Hidden THC
Full spectrum CBD contains small amounts of THC, and some products are mislabeled with more THC than they state. THC can impair driving, and it is what police and roadside drug tests look for.
The legal side
Driving under the influence laws cover impairment from any substance, not just alcohol. If an officer believes you are impaired, the cause does not have to be alcohol for you to be charged.
THC adds another layer. Some states have “per se” or zero-tolerance laws that make it illegal to drive with any detectable THC or THC metabolite in your system, whether or not you feel impaired. Because THC can stay in your body for days to weeks after use, a full spectrum CBD product could, in principle, create a problem under those laws.
Commercial drivers face stricter rules still. U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing does not accept CBD use as an explanation for a positive THC test. Our guide on whether CBD shows up on a drug test explains how testing works.
Laws vary by state and change over time. This article is general information, not legal advice.
How to be safe
- Learn how CBD affects you first. Try a new product at home, on a day you do not need to drive.
- Follow the label. Larger amounts make drowsiness more likely.
- Do not mix with alcohol or sedating medicines before driving.
- Choose products without THC. Look for a batch-matched lab report showing THC and Total THC as not detected. Our guide on how to read a CBD lab report shows you where to look.
- If you feel sleepy, do not drive.
What about CBD topicals?
Topicals such as balms, lotions and roll-ons are applied to the skin and designed to stay where they are applied. Very little CBD reaches the bloodstream, so they are much less likely to affect alertness than products you swallow. Our CBD topicals each link a lab report showing THC as not detected.
Our products
Every Airlie CBD product lists its tested CBD and links a lab report showing THC as not detected, including our CBD gummy jars and ElixiRx tincture. You can find them all on our lab results page.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to drive after taking CBD?
CBD itself is not illegal to have in your system, but driving while impaired by anything is illegal, and some states ban driving with any detectable THC.
Can CBD make you drowsy?
Yes, some people feel sleepy, especially at higher amounts or combined with alcohol or other medicines.
How long should I wait to drive after taking CBD?
There is no set time. Do not drive until you know how a product affects you, and never if you feel drowsy.
Can police test for CBD?
Roadside and standard drug tests look for THC, not CBD.
Can I use CBD if I have a commercial driver’s license?
Be very careful. DOT rules do not accept CBD use as a reason for a positive THC test. Talk with your employer first.