There is still a lot of confusion around CBD and cannabis, so we have put together this beginners guide to explain the basics of CBD and hemp. For more in depth info about CBD, please follow the links in this article and check out our other Blog posts.
What is CBD?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant. CBD has gained popularity in the last few years as people have found that it provides numerous therapeutic benefits.
Will it make me high?
CBD by itself is not psychoactive so it will not produce the “high” effect that people associate with smoking pot or cannabis. THC (Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol) is a different cannabinoid found in cannabis plants that produces the psychoactive (“high”) effect. If you are using a legally compliant CBD product, there will be only trace amounts of THC, so you will not experience any psychoactive effect when consuming CBD orally.
Is it legal?
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and hemp derived products in the United States. The Farm Bill defines hemp as cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3% THC by weight. Anything that contains more than that amount of THC has potential for psychoactive effect and is not legal by federal law. There are state laws regulating medical and recreational marijuana which is cannabis that contains more than 0.3% THC.
So based on the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and hemp derived products like CBD that contain less than 0.3% THC are legal.
What are the benefits of CBD?
People use CBD to treat a variety of conditions including relief of pain, inflammation, insomnia, anxiety, stress and more. There is ongoing research into the efficacy of hemp derived cannabinoids in treatment of more serious diseases as well. While there is a growing body of scientific evidence to support the benefits of CBD, we are just in the beginning stages of learning about the potential therapeutic uses of CBD and other hemp derived cannabinoids.
Is CBD safe?
In late 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that CBD “does not appear to have any psychotropic effect or any harmful effect to human health.” In 2017 the World Health Organization Committee of Drug Dependence came to the conclusion that CBD “does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm.” Based on these conclusions as well as anecdotal evidence from millions of CBD users, CBD does appear to be safe, with minimal side effects. There is some potential for interaction with pharmaceutical drugs so it is best to consult a physician before using CBD if you are taking medication to treat a serious illness. It is also best to choose certified organic CBD from a CBD company that can provide lab test results for their product as this is the best indicator of good quality CBD. To learn more about CBD quality and safety, please read this BLOG post.
What are the different types of CBD?
CBD can be full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate.
Full spectrum means that it contains the full range of cannabinoids that are naturally occurring in the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC. This is legal as long as the THC percentage is below 0.3%. This is also the least processed and most beneficial form of CBD.
Broad spectrum means it contains all the same cannabinoids as full spectrum, but the THC has been removed or “remediated.” This is done because some states restrict the sales of products containing any amount of THC, even if it meets the federal legal limits. Many large retailers will only carry CBD products that are THC-free.
CBD Isolate is a highly refined powder form of CBD that does not contain any other cannabinoids. CBD Isolate is the most processed form of CBD with less efficacy than full and broad spectrum CBD, but does hold appeal for those who are regularly drug tested at work and must avoid even trace amounts of THC.
Learn more about the benefits of full spectrum CBD by reading this BLOG post.
How can I use CBD?
CBD can be either ingested orally in the form of CBD oil or tincture, used topically on the skin and can even be smoked in the form of hemp flowers or CBD vapes. When taken orally, it is best to keep the CBD oil under the tongue for a minute or two so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream via blood vessels in the mouth. If taken on a full stomach, it can take a few hours to feel the effects of CBD. Smoking hemp can produce an almost instantaneous effect but the effect does not last as long as oral consumption. CBD can also be used topically in the form of lotions and salves, and can help manage pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, sports injuries and neuropathy.
CBD Dosing
When it comes to dosing with CBD tinctures, there is no hard and fast rule. Different people react differently to CBD depending on a number of factors like weight, metabolism, prior experience with cannabis and the condition that is being treated. So the best approach is to start with a relatively small dose like 5-10mg of CBD and to gradually increase the dosage until you find what works best for you.
Will CBD make me fail a drug test?
Drug screens do not detect CBD, and only show positive in the presence of THC. Although full spectrum CBD contains only trace amounts of THC, there is a small chance that ingesting full spectrum CBD will result in a positive drug test for THC. If you are required to pass routine drug screens for work, your safest option is to use a CBD isolate tincture. If you do not have to pass a drug screen for work, full spectrum CBD is the best and most effective option. Learn more about drug testing in this BLOG post.
How is it produced?
CBD and other cannabinoids are extracted from hemp flowers using a variety of different methods including CO2, ethanol and solventless extraction. You can learn more about CBD extraction methods in this BLOG post. Once extracted, the CBD concentrate is mixed with a carrier oil to produce a tincture or mixed with other ingredients to create topicals. Testing is performed after dilution to ensure that the required amount of CBD is present in the batch and also to ensure that THC levels do not exceed federal limits.
Hemp Seed Oil vs CBD
Hemp Seed Oil is produced from hemp seeds. It is a highly nutritious oil with many benefits but does not contain any CBD. CBD is produced from hemp flowers which are covered in cannabinoid rich trichomes. There are dishonest companies selling products made with hemp seed oil which are designed to appear as CBD products when they actually contain no CBD at all. CBD products should say on the label how many mg of CBD are contained within, and the company should provide test results validating these claims.
We hope this has answered your questions around CBD. If you have any unanswered questions or concerns about CBD, please let us know.
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