And because drug tests can't tell the difference between THC and CBD, pilots who are suspected of using THC, accidentally through CBD or otherwise, can be subject to certificate revocation while a positive drug test following an accident could even jeopardize insurance coverage.

As of 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains a "zero-tolerance" policy regarding CBD use for pilots, effectively making it a career-ending risk. While CBD itself (with less than 0.3% THC) is legal at the federal level in the U.S. under the Farm Bill, the FAA warns that the CBD industry remains largely unregulated. Many CBD oils, gummies, and vapes are mislabeled and contain higher-than-advertised levels of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. Because pilots are subject to random, highly sensitive drug testing, even "trace amounts" of THC can result in a positive test. The FAA does not accept the "use of CBD" as a valid defense for a failed drug test. If a pilot tests positive for THC, their medical certificate is typically revoked immediately, and the process to get it back can take years of monitoring and rehabilitation. Furthermore, the FAA's "Federal Air Surgeon" has stated that the underlying conditions people often use CBD to treat (such as anxiety or chronic pain) may themselves be disqualifying for flight duty, making CBD a "double-risk" for any professional aviator in the current regulatory environment.