What is CBD?

Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act in 2018, also know as the "2018 Farm Bill" which removed CBD from the "Controlled Substance Act" schedule. This made the use of hemp and it's byproduct CBD, federally legal in all 50 states. The new law requires all CBD products must come from the Hemp plant and contain a THC level of 0.3% or lower to be sold in the United States. Marijuana on the other hand, remains illegal at the federal level. However, states maintain the power to legalize products containing THC on a local level. Many states do permit the recreational use of Marijuana and other products containing THC. With rapid changes in growing industry, it's always a good idea to know the cannabis laws that may affect each state. 

THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydocannabinol) is the psychoactive chemical compound found in the marijuana cannabis plant. It is the compound associated with the "high" or euphoric feelings users experience from various cannabis products. 

CBD (Cannabidiol) is also a chemical compound found in the hemp plant. It has no psychoactive properties and is not known to produce a "high" or euphoric feeling associated with the use of THC based products.

Hemp derived CBD  contains many other cannabinoids and terpenes but with very small amounts of THC ranging about 0.3% dry weight and some with 0% THC. Therefore, it will not produce the high effect, or euphoric feelings associated with products containing a higher level of THC. 

Marijuana derived CBD, on the other hand, also contain cannabinoids and terpenes but has a higher concentration of THC. The psychoactive compound can range anywhere from 5 to 20% dry weight. Both CBD and THC products are used in the form of oils, edible gummies, isolates, topical salves, balms and lotions. 

Various extraction methods are used to get CBD and other desired cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids from the hemp plant. Companies use either Supercritical CO2 (pressurized gas) extraction, Hydrocarbon (solvents like butane or propane)  extraction, Ethanol (alcohol) extraction or a combination of each when producing their oils, isolates, gummies and topical products. Each extraction method has a different effect on the potency, purity and consistency of the finished product. Some methods are more efficient at yielding the different chemical compounds than others. It's good to know what process your company of choice uses, as there are pros and cons to each method of extraction.

Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that are responsible for their distinctive scent or aroma. More practically, some terpenes act as a repellant or form of defense against pests, while others help to protect the plant by helping it to recover in the case of any damage to the plant structure. Terpenes can also be isolated for use in colognes, parfumes, as well as skin care products and even food. Flavonoids are important antioxidants that are found in most plants and fruits and provide many benefits to the plants as well as humans. 

The "Entourage Effect" is a term used to describe the increased  effect that occurs when CBD is combined with the other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN and TCH found in the hemp plant. Some studies by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, Dr. Shimon Ben-Shabat and others, have shown a synergistic relationship between the different chemical compound found in Cannabis. When taken together as opposed to an isolate, they enhance their overall effect and help the body to better absorb the useful compounds into certain receptors of the endocannabinoid system or (ECS) already present throughout the body. Research continues in this area and more data needs to be analized to fully understand the "Entourage Effect" and it's potential far reaching benefits in the body.