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Q770:  I use CBD oils, gummies, etc. for pain. I am also prescribed Tramadol for pain, for the last 25 years. I recently tested positive for Presumptive Cannabis use, now denied my Tramadol! What's up with the V.A. testing policies on CBD use?

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A1:  Veterans are encouraged to discuss marijuana use with their VA providers. Apparently, you did not tell your PMC that you were using CBD. The same would happen with a civilian provider if you tested positive. Drug interactions can be harmful up to and including death. Providers need to make decisions to modify treatment plans based on marijuana use on a case-by-case basis. Such decisions need to be made in partnership with the Veteran and must be based on concerns regarding Veteran health and safety.  (DS)  9/10/21

        

A2:  Did you notify the VA of your use of these products? If you did not, it is pretty easy to see why they would question the lab results.

The lab work is calibrated to alert at a certain threshold. This threshold is high enough to ignore incidental or accidental contact with a controlled substance.

       

For instance, a poppy seed covered bagel will show up in your system as an opiate. However, in order to cross the threshold of concern you would have to eat a wheel barrel full of bagels.

  

I would contact your primary care doctor and explain your usage. Take your CBD oil and gummies with you and let the doc see what you are taking. It is possible that your supplements are actually contaminated with THC when it should oil contain Cannabidiol oil.  (RJ)  9/10/21

     

A3:  Don't let them drug test you they can't without your permiission.  (CF)  9/10/21