Cannabis - Oils and CBD

[JohnCM]

Hemp CBD vs. Cannabis CBD

As if the legality of cannabis per state wasn’t difficult enough to understand, there are now cannabinoids that are legal nationwide. Hemp-Derived CBD products have the ability to be shipped across the nation. However, this has caused the line of legal vs. illegal to be blurred. Cannabis-derived CBD and hemp-derived CBD are very similar in the eyes of those who see the benefits of cannabis. To the law, there is a drastic difference between the two. It is important to know the legal and medical differences involved with these two sources of CBD, so we’ve put together a guide to help you navigate this tricky distinction.

Cannabis-Derived CBD

Cannabis-derived CBD is what most people who can buy legal cannabis are consuming. To put it in the most basic definition, cannabis-derived CBD must be sold in a licensed dispensary. In order for a product to be sold in a dispensary, it must be compliant with all of the state’s marijuana regulations. This means that the cannabis-derived CBD products sold in a dispensary must be lab-tested, packaged in child-proof containers, must be tracked in METRC from the beginning stages of the plant, and they need to be sold behind the budtender’s counter.

The regulations that come with selling cannabis-derived CBD are the main reasons that this source of CBD is only popular in legalized states. Any CBD products that come from the cannabis sativa plant are going to contain a true full spectrum of cannabinoids. This means that cannabis-derived CBD contains enough THC to be considered a psychoactive product and is put under the same classification as regular THC.

Though it can only be found in legalized states, cannabis-derived CBD is what most consumers assume all CBD products are sourced from. This is not the case. Consumers in states that have not legalized marijuana do not have the ability to obtain cannabis-derived CBD. Instead, they get their CBD products from hemp.

Hemp-Derived CBD

If you are in a state that has yet to legalize cannabis, then the only CBD products available to you come from hemp-derived CBD. Again, the most basic definition of hemp-derived CBD is that these products can be sold nationwide. However, there are a few states that do not allow the selling of hemp-derived CBD, even though it is technically legal. This is typically due to a misunderstanding of the difference between cannabis-derived and hemp-derived CBD.

Hemp-derived CBD can be sold across the nation to any consumer 18 and up. The main reason that hemp-derived CBD is sold throughout America is that it contains less than 0.03% THC. As long as the CBD products being shipped across the country fall below this THC threshold, then anyone 18 and up can purchase them.

Why does hemp CBD contain less THC than cannabis CBD? Well, there are three different types of cannabis plants: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis. In both cannabis sativa and indica, THC is much more potent and there is too much to keep its CBD products under the legal limit. Cannabis ruderalis is a low-testing THC species. It is also commonly known as “industrial hemp.” Industrial hemp has many different uses. Hemp is used in paper, clothing, rope, lotions, and to extract legal CBD. Due to its low THC levels, hemp can have its CBD extracted with no more than trace amounts of THC left in the product.
Which is More Medically Beneficial?

Cannabis-derived CBD is what is commonly used to treat medical patients in legalized states. Hemp-derived CBD is not nearly as popular with patients who can obtain cannabis-derived CBD, since the latter provides a full-spectrum effect. This means that cannabis-derived products are pulling the full cannabinoid profile and not just CBD. It has been found that a full spectrum of cannabinoids enhances the extract’s medical benefits since the cannabinoids have a synergistic effect on each other.
The reason that hemp-derived CBD is not as popular amongst patients is that it does not have the full spectrum of cannabinoids, and it’s been proven to be less beneficial than cannabis-derived CBD. However, hemp-derived CBD has a major purpose within the cannabis industry: it is at the forefront of bringing the remarkable medical benefits of CBD to those who can’t legally obtain it. It gives people a taste of how beneficial cannabis can really be. The spread of hemp-derived CBD is what will help spread the legalization of cannabis as a whole.

Hemp-derived CBD is also commonly used to help treat pets. Any high levels of THC can affect every pet differently. CBD, on the other hand, can benefit pets just as much as humans. This again shows the world the wide range of uses cannabis could potentially have. You can find pet products online, along with all other hemp-derived CBD products. Some of the best hemp-derived CBD products out there are sourced locally in Colorado. Even though there are a ton of products out there that are manufactured overseas, it is important to find products that are sourced from USA-grown hemp.

Where Can You Find Hemp-Derived CBD Products?

There are a ton of companies out there for you to choose from. However, if you are looking for a quality, locally manufactured CBD products, then CBD Infusionz is the top brand around. They have a nationally known brand and have even teamed up with Mr. Check Out to help bring their products to all who need it. Their wide variety of CBD edibles tailor to all types of consumers. They even have multiple vegan options and sugar-free options. Plus, their pricing is more than affordable.

Even if you’re living in a state that hasn’t jumped on the marijuana bandwagon just yet, you can still treat yourself to the medical benefits of hemp-derived CBD. But don’t forget to call and write your local and state representatives to encourage them to push for true cannabis legalization. That way, before long, you can get the good stuff too.
Needless to say, the rabid overnight demand for CBD oil, combined with the intricacies of a nation involved in a drug war, created a very confusing topic, and an opportunity for businesses to sell snake oil. Still today, people are discovering the wonders of CBD and yearning for information on how to obtain it. In an effort to untangle this web, here’s a go-to guide for understanding the differences between hemp-derived and marijuana-derived CBD oils.

Hemp CBD Oil

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid known largely for its muscle relaxant properties. Isolated on its own, CBD is non-psychoactive and it’s been reported to be effective in treating seizures, even in young children.
CBD is found in both the drug-producing cannabis indica and hemp-producing cannabis sativa. Hemp CBD oil is extracted from industrial hemp, the c. sativa species of cannabis, which produces nearly none of the cannabinoid Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but does produce some amount of the cannabidiol (CBD).

Not All Hemp CBD Oils Are Created Equal

Not many cannabis researchers or cannabis professionals will refute the efficacy and wonders of the cannabidiol. It can be a potent and powerful product with amazing therapeutic benefits. However, the ways in which cannabidiol is extracted from industrial hemp plants, then manufactured, concentrated, formulated, delivered or administered to a customer or patient, is largely suspect. Some customers have even reported becoming violently ill from poorly manufactured hemp CBD products, many of which either contain mysterious inactive chemicals or ingredients different than those listed on the label.

Hemp CBD is regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement, and like other dietary supplements the FDA is “not authorized to review dietary supplement products for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed.” This is in direct opposition to most modern day medical and recreational marijuana markets. Both regulated medical and recreational markets typically have stringent production and testing guidelines and manufacturing regulations, and these guidelines typically exclude the sale of hemp-derived CBD through medical and recreational dispensaries.
This is from the FDA’s website:

“In late February 2015, FDA issued several warning letters to firms that market unapproved drugs for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases. Some of these firms claim that their products contain cannabidiol (CBD). FDA has tested those products and, in some of them, did not detect any CBD. It is important to note that these products are not approved by FDA for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease, and often they do not even contain the ingredients found on the label. Consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products.”

A list of FDA warning letters and test results for cannabidiol-related products can be found here.

Conversely, the Stanley Brothers, creators of the original Charlotte’s Web now manufacture CBD hemp oil under the name CW Hemp. Because Charlotte’s Web products contain less than 0.3 percent THC, they are allowed by U.S. law to ship their acclaimed products straight to your doorstep.

Many Medical Marijuana Producers Are Producing Consistent, Top Quality CBD, Too

Charlotte’s Web is not the only high-CBD strain or CBD product out there. Strains like AC/DC, Harlequin, Cannatonic, Sour Tsunami, Ringo’s Gift, and many others exist.

Since 1996, there have been several medical marijuana markets growing in the western United States. In the region, states like California, Washington, and Oregon created an avenue for seasoned cannabis cultivators to farm cannabis medicines for their patients. Nearly two decades later, these states and several others, including Colorado, are expanding into the country’s first full-fledged recreational cannabis markets. Growers in these markets have been producing both high-THC and high-CBD strains of marijuana and merging them into edibles, concentrates, and topicals of all forms to assist customers and patients with their therapeutic needs.

These markets are now becoming known for having stricter testing standards than standard produce agriculture, and now half the country’s states have some form of medical marijuana program or more. In these markets, medical marijuana cardholders can typically access CBD products containing much higher concentrations of cannabidiol than hemp-derived CBD products, and due to stringent testing, oftentimes purer CBD products as well. When obtaining CBD products through a regulated medical or recreational marijuana marketplace, customer service representatives should be able to display and explain a product's origins, ingredients, and test results. State-certified labs provide these insights, and some even provide full cannabinoid and terpene analysis, too.

CBD Works Best Combined With Other Cannabinoids

Cannabis contains hundreds of compounds, 80 of which are currently categorized as cannabinoids. CBD and THC are the principal cannabinoids in cannabis, both commonly occurring in the relatively largest concentrations, and they are incredibly synergistic.
Embracing the full-spectrum of cannabis’ naturally occurring phytonutrients is part of a process called whole plant medicine. This practice is highly regarded in the holistic and alternative medicine communities, existing in stark contrast to the practice of fractionated medicine, a process involving the heavy use processing and chemical synthesis popularized by the pharmaceutical industry.

Long before people began hybridizing cannabis to create the highest THC strains to wow judges at cannabis competitions, naturally occurring fields of cannabis most likely contained plants with moderate concentrations of both primary cannabinoids, CBD and THC, along with other naturally occurring therapeutic cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, plus various terpenes, flavonoids, and all other phytonutrients found in healthy cannabis plants. Thanks to Israeli researcher Raphael Mechoulam, the synergies of all these compounds working together is now known as “the entourage effect.”

While not sanctioned for children because of its euphoria-producing properties, adding any amount of THC to a therapeutic dose of CBD largely enhances CBD’s effects. Medical cardholders in many states can now access CBD products with varying ratios of CBD to THC. Everything from 20:1 to 1:1 ratios, even 2 parts THC to 1 part CBD, make for an incredibly therapeutic array of options for patients seeking the benefits of cannabidiol.

Hopefully this guide will help you better understand the intricacies and the processes involved in accessing varying forms of CBD, as it continues to grow in popularity for medical treatments and general wellness practices alike.

We live in a period of history where the legality of the CBD (Cannabidiol) molecule is determined by the method of extraction from the plant. The CBD you desire could be either “technically” legal or illegal, depending on the laws of the land, your zip code permits.
When in doubt, stick with hemp extracted CBD.

At least, until FULL federal legalization occurs, the male hemp plant is more socially acceptable than its sister marijuana. Both plants have numerous benefits and we are seeing incredible success stories of people using both hemp CBD and marijuana, depending on their specific health concern. However, marijuana is not legal in most states and hemp offers the benefits of CBD that will NOT leave you in trouble with the law.
CBD is a powerful antioxidant, neuroprotectant and naturally works with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS regulates and harmonizes immune function, appetite, pain, sleep, mood and more. With CBD, you essentially get ALL the benefits of cannabis without the high. That is why CBD is one of the latest health trends and is a favorite of those who desire to receive the benefits of cannabis with zero psychoactivity.

As of current legislation, to legally obtain CBD in the 50 US states and beyond, CBD has to be extracted from the [male] hemp plant. If you want CBD extracted from [female] marijuana, you will need to be in a legal state, such as Washington, Colorado, Oregon, California, Nevada, Alaska, or Maine.

Whether you decide to buy hemp CBD or marijuana CBD, the question becomes the following. Is there “more” to this unique CBD molecule than the legality of what part of the cannabis sativa plant you extract it from?

In other words, why is there a seemingly VAST difference between [male] hemp CBD and [female] marijuana CBD?

A few questions we will be shining the light of truth and clarity on are:

• What specifically is CBD?

• What’s actually different about hemp CBD & marijuana CBD?

• Is marijuana CBD better than hemp CBD?

What Specifically Is CBD?

CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of over 100+ cannabinoids that are naturally occurring in the cannabis sativa plant. CBD is known for its beneficial applications in helping smooth out the various disadvantages life can sometimes hand out.

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, as opposed to its highly psychoactive relative THC. What we know about CBD is that CBD is not THC, nor is CBD the entire cannabis sativa plant. CBD involves a WIDE range of everyday “normal” use. Moreso, CBD is useful in helping restore your body to healthy & optimal functioning.

What’s Actually Different About Hemp CBD & Marijuana CBD?

To start, both [male] hemp and [female] marijuana come from the same “mother” cannabis plant, as per United States Department Of Agriculture (USDA). Cannabis sativa can yield a [brother] hemp or a [sister] marijuana.

Brother hemp naturally contains a meager amount of THC that warrants a very small legal limit. Hemp can legally only have trace amounts of THC. The highest amount of THC that [brother] hemp can have is less than one-half of one percent (0.3%). With such low amounts of THC in hemp, you can get away with saying hemp has ZERO psychoactive THC. Making this statement closer to the truth than not.

If hemp has more than 0.3% THC, it’s legally not hemp and would require more strict regulations like sister marijuana.

As we all may or may not know, marijuana is the female side of the cannabis sativa plant. Most often, yielding HIGH levels of THC and low amounts of CBD. However, some female marijuana strains are bred specifically to have virtually zero THC and high amounts of CBD.
With this confusing little bit of truth, how do you know the difference between [brother] hemp CBD and [sister] marijuana CBD?

If you were to take a magical school bus ride and shrink yourself down to the size of molecules, you’d notice one bizarre and startling thing. By zooming up and looking at both hemp CBD and marijuana CBD, the first thing you’d see is they look very VERY similar. In fact, once you take an accurate gander at both CBDs, you quickly conclude that they are, in fact, the same thing! With some minor technical difference, ALL types of CBD are the same.

Is CBD extracted from brother hemp is the same thing as CBD derived from sister marijuana?

According to Franjo Grotenhermen, former Chairman of the International Association For Cannabinoid Medicines (2000-2003), “CBD is CBD.” He goes on to say, “the human body does not care where the molecule comes from.”
Just like a triangle is a triangle no matter if you cut the shape from cardboard or fiberglass. Just like the water (H2O) from your sink is the same H2O WATER you’d see coming from a running waterfall or a swimming pool. If the water molecule (H2O) is water, no matter the place you “scoop” it from, so too is a CBD molecule a CBD molecule.

BUT! And this is a BIG BUT! When the legal system comes trotting along and takes a peek at the CBD molecules, they see something INSANELY different. The legal system says there is an EXTREME difference in the CBD molecules. Therefore you can only partake of the CBD molecules “they” say is okay. And right now, living in weird America with our awkward laws, some interesting nit-picky laws could lead you to a strong bill of health or the inside of a prison cell. Which is why we gently recommend you choose hemp CBD and NOT marijuana CBD.

No matter what, or how, politicians bicker, the truth is that there is an objective reality. We have chemistry, molecular scientists, and international cannabinoid researchers agreeing and have a consensus that the CBD molecule is CBD… is CBD!

Is Marijuana CBD Better Than Hemp CBD?

If CBD is CBD, no matter how it’s created, why is there so much conversation and controversy around this non-psychoactive molecule?
This is an excellent question because CBD, in its isolated form, isn’t necessary “powerful” all by itself. No single isolate, and highly concentrated, cannabinoid molecule is potent, safe or useful when it enters the body leading a solo mission.

The Father of Cannabis Research, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, was the first to isolate the cannabinoids CBD and THC from the cannabis plant. He discovered an interesting phenomenon called the entourage effect. Very briefly, the entourage effect says that ALL the cannabinoid molecules need each other to work properly, as nature designed/evolved to be.
An unprecedented study by Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z. and Hanuš, L.O. (2015) “Overcoming the Bell-Shaped Dose-Response of Cannabidiol by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in Cannabidiol,” explains why single CBD isolate molecules are not recommended vs full-spectrum CBD. This Israeli Team discovered that: “The therapeutic synergy observed with plant extracts results in the requirement for a lower amount of active components, with consequent reduced adverse effects.”

Since the CBD molecule is the same CBD molecule, it doesn’t matter how or where you get your CBD molecule, except to the legal system with marijuana CBD. What is important about CBD is that you do NOT take CBD in a single or isolated form. The reason for NOT ingesting a single cannabinoid is because of the entourage effect. The best and most efficient CBD Products will have a blend of many many other Cannabinoids extracted from the whole plant, among other ancient wonders. More Cannabinoid diversity will bring a more holistic effect for the results you seek to achieve with hemp CBD.