CBD and Pilots: What the FAA Says Before You Buy Anything
Organic CBD Oil Oral Drops - THC Free Broad Spectrum
The only bottle of ours that makes sense for a pilot: THC removed, COA reading ND / <LOQ, batch number on the bottle. Even so, it is not a guarantee against a DOT screen, and for a tested pilot the honest answer is still to skip it. 500mg is the place to start if you are not tested and have decided.
Shop Organic CBD Oil Oral Drops →Why this fits
| Ideal for this user | What we offer | |
|---|---|---|
| DOT-tested (Part 121/135, safety-sensitive) | Ask your employer's program; the safest answer may be no CBD | We will not tell you our oil is safe for your test |
| THC content | THC-free, proven by a batch COA | Broad-spectrum, ND / <LOQ on the report |
| Not tested (private flying) | Your call, with your AME in the loop | 500mg THC-free drops, taken well away from flying |
| Full-spectrum oil | Not for a pilot | Contains trace THC; we do not suggest it here |
What the FAA has said
We could not open the FAA's own pages from our server (they returned access denied), so here is what we did read. FAA Safety Briefing carried a 2019 advisory from then Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Michael Berry, quoted by High Times (checked October 2026): "Although most CBD products claim to have under 0.3-percent THC, they could contain high enough levels of THC to make a drug test positive."
The same advisory, as quoted there, says the DOT drug test includes THC, that federal law and not state law governs FAA certification, and that "Use of CBD oil is not accepted as an affirmative defense against a positive drug test." Check faa.gov for the current wording before you rely on a 2019 summary.
If you are DOT-tested, the safest answer may be no
An AOPA Pilot Protection Services article by a former FAA regional counsel (checked October 2026) advises that the best course for anyone working in aviation is to avoid CBD products. It says a positive DOT test is reviewed by a Medical Review Officer, who may not change it to negative on the ground that CBD was the cause, and that the result can lead to certificate action or loss of the job.
It also argues that CBD with no THC could still produce a positive. We cannot verify that against a lab, and we are not a testing lab. We can say we have no way to promise you a negative, so if your flying income depends on a DOT screen, no product of ours is worth the risk.
The private pilot who is not tested
If nobody screens you and you still choose to use CBD, keep it boring. Our THC-free broad-spectrum drops, a current batch COA you have actually read, and a small serving. Most adults start at 10 to 25 mg, which is about a third to a full dropper of the 500mg bottle (roughly 17 mg per full dropper). Talk to your doctor first.
Try a new product on a day you are not flying, and then a few more. A serving you have not tested on yourself is an unknown. The FAA's own pre-flight thinking, the IMSAFE checklist AOPA cites, asks about medications and fatigue. We have not found an FAA-published waiting time for CBD, and we will not make one up.
Medical certificates and what we leave to your AME
The AOPA article notes the medical application asks about medications, including non-prescription ones, and that not reporting something can carry its own consequences. We are not qualified to tell you what to list or how the FAA will see it.
Ask your Aviation Medical Examiner before you start, not after. If they say no, that is the answer, and we would rather lose the sale.
FAQ
Can pilots use CBD?
The FAA warns against relying on it. A 2019 FAA advisory, as quoted by High Times, says CBD products can contain enough THC to cause a positive drug test and that CBD use is not an affirmative defense. If you are DOT-tested, the safest answer may be not to use CBD at all. Ask your AME.
Will CBD show up on a DOT drug test?
We cannot promise it will not. The DOT panel looks for THC, and the FAA advisory warns that products labeled under 0.3% THC may still contain enough to cause a positive. An AOPA article argues even THC-free CBD could, which we cannot verify. No brand can guarantee a result, including us.
Is THC-free CBD safe for a pilot?
THC-free broad-spectrum oil with a batch COA is the lowest-THC option we sell, and the only one we would suggest to a non-tested private pilot. It is not a guarantee against a DOT test and it is not an FAA approval. Ask your AME.
How long before flying should I wait after CBD?
We do not know, and we did not find an FAA-published window, so we will not give you a number. If you choose to use CBD, try it on a non-flying day first and keep it well away from flight duty. When in doubt, do not mix them.
Does the 2018 Farm Bill make CBD okay for airmen?
No. The Farm Bill made hemp CBD at or under 0.3% delta-9 THC federally legal to sell. The FAA advisory says federal law governs airman certification, and drug testing looks for THC regardless. Legal to buy and acceptable for a certificate holder are different questions.
Where can I see a COA for your THC-free oil?
Every batch is third-party tested, and the batch COA is at /coas or on request. For a pilot, the line to read is THC: you want ND or <LOQ for the batch number on your bottle.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. botanCBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting any new wellness product, especially if you take prescription medications.