In Germany, an increasing acceptance of cannabis can currently be observed. This development is also due to the increasing demand for legal CBD products.
It is the diverse application possibilities and often dramatic effects of these natural preparations that convince many consumers in the long term. Since cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a cannabinoid that can affect the body on several levels, consumers who
actively participate in road traffic will sooner or later have to deal with the possible effects on their driving ability.
CBD products derived from EU-certified cannabis flowers, which contain less than 0.2% THC, have no psychoactive effects and are available without prescription in Germany. The consumption of cannabidiol is not a criminal drug use and therefore legal. Therefore, you do not have to fear any legal consequences when buying or using it as an end user.
Given this situation, it seems logical that the use of CBD products should be combined with driving a vehicle without hesitation due to the extremely low THC levels. However, as valid as this argument is, the issue of CBD and driving tolerance must be viewed in a more differentiated manner.
After all, even without the mind-altering properties of THC, CBD products can have a sedative effect on users at appropriately high doses, which can impair driving ability and thus traffic safety.
When CBD users are pulled off the road in this condition, police treat them similarly to a sick, overtired or drugged driver. A driver who is obviously unfit to drive may be prohibited from continuing to drive at the discretion of the police. It does not matter what condition or agent causes it.
In addition, many CBD products contain small amounts of THC. Often, such preparations can also cause THC to accumulate in the body in small concentrations. Although legally permitted, German traffic laws generally exclude people who consume THC from driving.
Therefore, those who do not want to give up a beneficial CBD product or their driver’s license should carefully check the ingredients of their preferred CBD product.
Although police use the test primarily for traffic stops, which are designed to detect psychoactive THC above a threshold of 50 ng/ml, more sensitive rapid tests are now being used. Some of these more sensitive tests can also show positive results after CBD ingestion. They not only regularly test for THC, but usually also for the cannabinoids contained in the cannabis plant. This also includes CBD.
Since, unfortunately, CBD flowers with a higher THC content than the permitted 0.2% are also in circulation in Germany, lovers of this product who want or need to engage in traffic should always make sure that they only obtain it from a reputable dealer.
On the other hand, people who need to prove abstinence for whatever reason should avoid CBD products altogether. This is because the current limit is set so low that even passive consumption of THC can lead to a positive test result, resulting in a failed detection.
So, it remains to be said that you can and probably will drive anyway after taking CBD in small doses.
However, if you feel drowsy or dizzy from regular use, it is recommended that you do not drive until the effects of CBD wear off. To avoid possible retaliation during a traffic stop, people should also be aware of the ingredients in the CBD product.
