Woman who failed drug test wants warnings on CBD products

By Amy Reast

A mom who almost lost her job for failing a drug test after taking "THC free" CBD gummies is campaigning for mandatory warnings.

Caroline Noble, 39, began taking cannabidiol (CBD) gummies before bed a month ago to help with her sleep due to anxiety.

She checked that they were tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) free before purchasing.

And the brand of gummies, Cannaray, has been endorsed by A-lister Claudia Winkleman, so she thought they seemed a good choice.

But she claims they caused her to fail a random drugs test at work - and nearly lose her job - after THC showed up in her system.

Despite now being told she can keep her job, Caroline is petitioning to see mandatory warnings added to CBD products labeled 'THC free' that they may still contain trace amounts.

Caroline, a regulatory affairs manager with a global food manufacturer, from Standish Lower Ground, Wigan, said: "The experience took such a toll on me.

"I've always been super grateful for my job and I could've lost it over some gummies.

"I don't want this to happen to anyone else."

Mom-of-one Caroline ordered a $32 tub of 30 cannabidiol (CBD) gummies last month to see if they helped her sleep.

She saw the brand, Cannaray, on Amazon, was endorsed by Claudia Winkleman and felt it gave "credibility" when selecting which product to buy.

She ensured they were 'THC free' so would have no psychoactive properties.

She had been taking them a month when she was asked, with several other colleagues, to do a random drug test.

CBD is a natural compound found in hemp plants which has therapeutic properties including anxiety relief and pain relief.

Despite deriving from the cannabis plant, CBD has no psychoactive properties if it doesn't contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well.

The product description describes how the gummies are "vegan and vegetarian-friendly, as well as free from THC, sulphates and GMOs."

She was asked if she smoked cannabis after the drug test - to which she replied no - but had to go into a meeting with HR soon after.

She said: "I was sent home and not allowed to talk to anyone from work.

"I had to put an out-of-office message that I was off due to 'personal reasons'."

After a week of anxiety that she'd lose her job, she got the call from work that she could come back.

She was told the levels of THC in her system from the drug test were confirmed to be consistent with her explanation, she says.

Caroline filed complaints with Cannaray, along with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Trading Standards, and the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).

Cannaray responded to her complaint, saying it reviewed the batch she ordered, and the report confirmed the product's levels of THC were non-detectable.

Caroline says the only way the THC could have entered her system was from the gummies.

She feels other people should be aware there may be trace amounts in CBD products - even if labelled 'THC free'.

She has launched a campaign demanding mandatory warnings be added to 'THC-free' CBD products.

Caroline said: "My world was turned upside down, my professional credibility questioned, and my peace of mind shattered.

"As a single mom and my daughter's sole provider, the financial pressure and torment of waiting to hear whether I would keep my job was overwhelming.

"I would not wish this experience on anyone.

"I am angry and resentful that I have had to go through this.

"This personal ordeal opened my eyes to a glaring gap in consumer safety and awareness concerning CBD products labelled as THC-free.

"Manufacturers often fail to disclose that even trace amounts of THC can accumulate in the body over time, leading to a positive drug test.

"This leaves unsuspecting consumers, like myself, at risk of severe repercussions professionally, financially, and mentally.

"I am trying to do the utmost to prevent it from happening to anyone else."