We know all the big rules when it comes to driving. Don’t drink and drive, don’t consume THC and drive, but what about CBD and driving?
Whether it is okay to consume CBD and then drive is a cause for much debate (to be fair, most aspects of CBD are a cause for much debate these days!) and, as is often the case, there’s a lot of false information knocking around to add more confusion to the issue.
So allow us to take out scythe of myth-busting, and use it to through the overgrown grass of misinformation that can take over the garden of fact.
So, let’s get into it, and try and find a firm answer to the question can you take CBD and drive.
CBD, THC, and Driving?
CBD is not the same as THC, which is a psychoactive cannabinoid and therefore has a definite effect on your ability to drive.
CBD products contain less than 0.2% THC (under Eu and US law, meaning any supplier selling legal products will stay under this limit) and therefore the THC content will not affect your driving.
Does CBD Affect Your Driving?
The THC content in CBD may not be enough to have an impact on your ability to drive, but isn’t the whole story.
Everyone reacts to CBD in different ways, due to all bodies being different, so it is advisable not to drive after taking CBD until you are familiar with the effects that CBD products have on your body.
Some have reported feeling relaxed, even tired after taking CBD, and driving while tired is not advised to any extent.
CBD can change the mental state of a person by raising the levels of certain naturally occurring chemicals in the brain.
It is, at this point, important to understand there is a difference between something being intoxicating, and something altering mood.
While CBD is not intoxicating, due to having none of the psychoactive properties of THC, it can still alter your mood, and it is important to know in what way this happens before driving.
Starting to Take CBD
It probably goes without saying (although we’re totally going to say it anyway!) that you shouldn’t drive the first time you take CBD.
As mentioned above, people react to CBD in different ways, so it is advisable to take your time to get to know how CBD works with you and your body.
When first taking CBD, it is important to learn where your tolerance levels are. Remember, it isn’t a competition, so easy does it!
Start with a light strength product, such as this 1.2% Coconut Spray and see how you get on, if that’s enough for you, stop there.
If you feel like you could benefit from something a little stronger, work up slowly, but don’t rush yourself, it’s not a race!
Once you’ve found the right product and the right strength for you, stick with it. It is theorised that CBD tolerance is not built up over time, so you should be able to stay where you’re comfortable for the foreseeable future.
Once you’ve found your perfect product, use it for a while and get used to the effects it has on you. Does it slow you down? speed you up? make you feel tired? make you feel awake? Everyone is different, so we can’t tell you how you’re going to feel, but make sure you wait until you’re used to it.
Once you’ve got familiar with the effects of CBD on your body, then you can consider the impact that will have on your ability to drive.
Like anything else that involves driving, always err on the side of caution. If you’re not sure, don’t drive when you’ve taken CBD, save that until you get home.
But if you do feel comfortable to drive, then it is legal and acceptable to do so. The trace amounts of THC that may exist within any CBD product shouldn’t flag on any tests unless you take an obscene amount, and there’s more than one reason why that isn’t a good idea
So, in answer to the question can you take CBD and drive? The answer is, maybe. It very much depends on you and how your body reacts to CBD.
Take the time to get to know your body, and how it reacts to CBD, and then make an informed decision based on that.
Do you drive on CBD? Why not let us know in the comments below. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to shoot us a message and we’ll be happy to help.