Can I Use CBD While Driving?

Read Time: 6 minutes

If you have a long road trip ahead, you may be wondering if you should take CBD before getting behind the wheel—or if doing so will affect your driving ability. Luckily, research suggests that CBD doesn’t really alter one’s ability to drive. Read on to fully understand the effect of CBD on the ability to drive.

Why Do People Use CBD While Driving?

CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the hemp plant that won’t cause you to feel high. Evidence suggests it may offer a handful of potentially therapeutic benefits—like help managing stress and anxiety or alleviating inflammation.

It works through interacting with the endocannabinoid system (referred to as the ECS), which is a complex network of receptors within the body that communicate with one another to help keep background processes functioning optimally.¹ We rely on our ECS to manage things like moods, body temperature, inflammatory responses, immune system function, and our sleep-wake cycle.

CBD has the unique ability to work with the ECS to help it stay regulated, so it can do its job and ensure we feel our best. Many people opt for CBD products like full spectrum CBD gummies on long trips for their stress-relieving potential, which might be helpful for nervous drivers or people with travel anxiety.²

Long Haul Trucking & CBD

There are also several potential CBD edibles benefits for travelers. For example, it may help with some of the pain caused by inflammation from sitting down for too long.³ Many people in the commercial trucking industry deal with long trips without many breaks, which can lead to pain and inflammation. While most commercial trucking organizations are skeptical, THC-free CBD edibles may be beneficial for long-distance truck drivers or a parent on carpool duty dealing with inflammation or soreness after hours on the road.⁴ Learn more about CBD for inflammation relief.

More importantly, some evidence suggests that CBD may also help with energy levels.⁵ While CBD doesn't perk people up like a cup of coffee, it may give them a the mental boost, which might benefit truckers and other long-distance travelers.

Caffeine has a few negative effects, including anxiety and paranoia, and it might make it challenging to get some shut-eye when the day is done.⁶ Some studies suggest that CBD may help you with energy during the day and make it easier to relax and get some sleep at night.

Many drivers are reaching for a CBD product like a CBD tincture for good reasons, between potentially anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and sleeping and waking effects. But don't stop reading— there are still some things to be cautious about before you take CBD while driving.

Does CBD Oil Impact Driving?

Evidence suggests that even large servings of CBD won’t affect driving performance. A recent study concluded that CBD will not intoxicate people or impair their driving ability.⁷ It's essential to remember, however, that the study group was very small—so further research is still needed to validate this conclusion.

In the study, researchers investigated how 17 participants drove after taking either a placebo or 15mg, 300mg, or 1500mg of CBD oil. They then took two tests. The first analyzed how well the participants could maintain a safe driving distance between themselves and a lead vehicle, and the other examined how well they drove along highways and rural roads.

The subjects took these tests between 45-75 minutes after receiving their serving, and repeated the simulations every 3-4 hours to see if the CBD became stronger or weaker in the system with time. Each subject completed the tests four times after a different serving size of CBD oil or the placebo.

At the end of the study, researchers concluded no matter how much CBD they took, participants didn't feel intoxicated—and CBD didn't affect their driving ability. Researchers said that although CBD is considered non-intoxicating, more research is needed to determine if CBD is definitively safe for the road. She also added they only looked at THC-free CBD isolate—not full spectrum CBD oils, which typically contain cannabinoids like THC and CBN that could be intoxicating.

While evidence shows that CBD might be safe for drivers, it's important to remember that if you intend to drive while using CBD, stick to THC free options (especially in the event that you’re a commercial driver). THC is known to cause impairments and, at higher doses, could make you drowsy or influence your driving performance.⁸

Does Cannabis Oil Affect Driving?

While the study found that CBD isolate didn't seem to affect driving, one study published in 2020 found that cannabis oils rich in CBD and THC led to short-term impairment in similar trials.⁹

CBD is the main component of cannabis oil, like THC. However, it doesn't cause people to feel intoxicated or high like THC. Research indicates that CBD may reduce the intensity of some of THC’s effects, but it doesn't counteract it altogether.¹⁰

That's why it's vital to make sure your CBD is third-party lab-tested and doesn't contain THC, if you intend to take it out on the road. Even though up to 0.3% THC is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, even trace amounts of THC could possibly affect your ability to drive.¹¹

Caution Using CBD While Driving

The Food & Drug Administration warns mixing CBD products and driving could be dangerous.¹² On its site, the FDA cautions that, "CBD can cause sleepiness, sedation, and lethargy. Because of these side effects, consumers should exercise caution if planning on operating motor vehicles after consuming any CBD product."

Drowsiness aside, CBD may interact with other medications—such as antidepressants, seizure medications, and meds for pain or diabetes.¹³⁻¹⁴ Always talk to your doctor before taking any medicine or supplement (including CBD) to rule out any possible interactions or complications.

While CBD is not a controlled substance, there is a valid concern around the THC that makes its way into full spectrum CBD products. There's virtually no probability of being charged with a DUI or DWI while using CBD isolate. However, if you use a full spectrum product, you do run the risk of failing a drug test—which could cause you to catch a DUI or DWI charge.

According to another recent study, a lot of CBD products out there are untested or mislabeled and could contain more THC than they let on.¹⁵ With that said, you'll only want to purchase and use CBD products that have been tested by unbiased third parties—and allow you to look at the results (or Certificate of Analysis). If you want to avoid any trouble, opt for THC free versions of CBD for your next long haul—like what we offer here at Lazarus Naturals. You can rest assured that are labels and test results are accurate (we were even recognized as most-accurate in the industry), and all Certificates of Analysis are publicly available for each product we offer.

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