Does CBD oil have THC?
Running the risk of ingesting THC is one of the major concerns for CBD oil consumers. The same question keeps popping up – will I ingest THC if I take CBD oil?
CBD products keep showing up in retail and online shops, spas, and pharmacy stores all over the country. The reason for this is not far-fetched. The principal constituent of the oil – CBD, offers many potential health benefits while being non-intoxicating.
It is available in several forms such as tinctures, lotions, salves, water solubles, and more. While it keeps growing in popularity, the question that keeps popping up is, does CBD oil contain THC? Before we provide an answer, it is crucial to understand what CBD and THC are. s
Table of Contents
What is CBD?
CBD is one of many cannabinoids, which is a class of chemical compounds in cannabis plants. CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is a major component said to be responsible for the medicinal properties offered by the plant Cannabis sativa.
Cannabis sativa has two classes, which are Hemp and Marijuana. Hemp is thought to contain the highest amount of the chemical. Scientific evidence showed that CBD products derived from hemp effectively treat some epilepsy syndromes and other health conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration has medically reviewed and recently approved a hemp-derived medicine for seizures and related health issues. Also, cannabidiol is commonly used for patients suffering from anxiety and insomnia, among others.
What is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another compound in the cannabinoid class. It can also be found in Cannabis sativa as the major psychoactive compound in the plant. When people consume marijuana intending to become “high,” THC is the compound responsible for this.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) medically reviewed the effects of THC and states that its drug affects a person’s thinking, concentration, and sensory and time perception. However, this does not eliminate the fact that the compound offers many health benefits.
It offers medicinal and recreational benefits, helping treat conditions like depression, eating disorders, and PTSD. If taken too excessively, it can produce quite the opposite effect.
The Relationship and Differences Between CBD and THC
These two compounds have similar chemical compositions. They also interact with the same network of receptors in the brain, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS overlays the human central nervous system. The cannabinoid receptors then interact with CBD and THC to relay messages to the body.
However, they interact with the ECS differently. CBD tends to affect the CB2 receptor somewhere in the body. On the other hand, THC most commonly bond with the CB1 receptors in the brain. That is why people often experience a euphoric “high” feeling.
CBD often regulates the cannabinoid receptors, blocking other compounds that may interact with the receptors. That way, it may negate the intoxicating effects of THC by blocking its actions on the CB1 receptor. At the same time, trace amounts of THC may enhance the therapeutic properties of CBD oil.
The distinctive difference between CBD and THC is what they make you feel. That distinction is that you do not feel any intoxicating effects when you take CBD, unlike THC.
Does CBD Oil Contain THC?
The simple answer to the question is yes; some CBD oil contains THC. However, the THC present in the oil comes in very tiny or trace amounts. If the CBD product is labeled “full-spectrum,” it surely contains trace amounts of THC.
The other classes of CBD products are “broad spectrum” and “CBD isolate.” These classes of CBD are THC-free. Broad-spectrum CBD products already have the THC removed. So, they only contain CBD and some other minor cannabis compounds. On the other hand, CBD isolate products only contain CBD and no other cannabinoids.
When a product is labeled as CBD oil, it could be one of the following:
- Raw CBD Oil. This is a pure CBD distillate that does not contain any other compound. The pure CBD has only the cannabidiol (CBD) present in the product and is THC-free.
- CBD Hemp Oil. This type is the CBD oil extracted from Hemp plants. In the United States, this type of CBD oil is legally defined to have less than 0.3% THC.
- Full Spectrum Extract. This can be extracted from any of the cannabis plants. The full-spectrum CBD oil contains complete amounts of cannabinoids.
Therefore, the production of CBD oil will determine whether it contains THC or not. The Raw CBD or the CBD isolate will have zero traces of THC or other cannabis compounds. The hemp-derived CBD oil may have some trace amounts, which must be less than 0.3%.
It is important to keep in mind that CBD derived from marijuana plants has a significantly higher THC concentration. Such products are illegal according to federal law, so you must stay away from them. Paying closer attention to the product’s label and reading all information related to the dosage and production methods will help avoid the marijuana-derived variant.
Do CBD Products Need THC to Work?
According to studies, the 150 plus cannabinoids work best when they occur together. This combined effect is referred to as the “entourage effect.” When a CBD oil is labeled “full-spectrum,” it often comes with an extensive array of cannabinoids. THC is one of these cannabis constituents.
The combination of the other cannabinoids, including THC, works with CBD to offer the best results. Therefore, avoiding CBD oil containing THC could mean that you’re buying inferior products. The full-spectrum CBD product from a reputable brand will offer the best effects.
Can CBD Oil Containing Trace Amounts of THC Influence Drug Test Results?
Although it is unlikely to fail a drug test if you take CBD products, it is impossible. As mentioned earlier, there are CBD products that contain up to 0.3% THC. Such trace amounts of THC are negligible, and the possibility of getting intoxicated is zero.
However, taking too much CBD oil may lead to the adding up of these small amounts. A person who takes very high CBD oil amounts will be at a high risk of failing a drug test. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the limit of THC that can cause a person to fail a drug test is 50mg/ml.
CBD oil has now become highly popular among mainstream wellness supplements. Several companies have now developed guidelines for CBD drug tests. These guidelines include the admissible amounts of THC content that is tolerable during drug tests. Not all companies abide by the 50mg/ml threshold. They prefer to set their own standards.
Drug testing has become more sophisticated. The amounts of practitioners can determine if the amount of THC present in a person’s body is consistent with full-spectrum product use. However, many other organizations do not have access to this sophisticated drug screening method yet. Some don’t even care enough to adjust their policies in this line.
The key to passing a drug test is understanding the type of test and the company’s policies. A person may test positive if the test seeks for all cannabis constituents since both THC and CBD are cannabinoids. Here are some of the reasons a person could fail a CBD drug test.
- Using CBD Products Containing THC
This could be due to mistakes or intentional negligence. Purchasing low-quality CBD oil, which has not been third-party testing, could lead to a positive drug test. Most brains claim that their CBD oil is void of THC. Often, this is not true. Therefore, you should always get your CBD oil from reputable brands with guaranteed full-spectrum oil.
- Cross-Contamination of THC
Purchasing CBD oil from a cannabis dispensary may not be an altogether perfect idea. The reason is that small amounts of THC can contaminate their CBD oil in quantities that could cause failed drug tests.
- The Metabolic Process
This is a rare situation, but it can’t be ruled out. There is the possibility of CBD oil metabolizing into some small amounts of THC in the digestive system. This could lead to detection during drug tests. However, the possibility of this occurring lies with lower quality products that have not been purified accurately. The likelihood is eliminated with the use of high-quality CBD oils.
- Secondary Exposure
While this may not arise from the consumption of CBD oil, it is important t to note. Smoking marijuana in large quantities could lead to a positive drug test.
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Government Regulation of THC and Legality of CBD Oil
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially legalized CBD oil and other hemp-derived CBD products in 2018. This legalization, however, comes with certain restrictions. The most important restriction is that the products extracted from Hemp plants must contain less than 0.3% THC.
On the other hand, the other class of cannabis – Marijuana remains illegal in most states. Marijuana products are only allowed when they are required for medicinal uses. State laws regulate the production, sales, and distribution of marijuana.
Although hemp-derived CBD products have been removed from the Controlled Substances Act, the federal law still considers CBD a Schedule I drug. However, the cannabis-related laws continue to evolve, so we expect to see some improvement s in the future.
Thirty-three states, including Washington, D.C., legalized the marijuana use and use of medical cannabis products with high CBD and THC levels. However, such a cannabis-derived medication must be prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner. Some states have also made THC legal for recreational use. Buying a CBD product in such states will be easier.
It is important to know the state’s law before buying products containing CBD or THC. Possessing cannabis products in states where they are not legal could be paramount to legal penalties. In fact, you may need to get a medical prescription in states where there are legal hemp products for medical use.
Side Effects of THC and CBD Oil
CBD oil is a naturally derived supplement with very few side effects. These side effects have lower risks of occurring, and they are less severe. The potential side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, GIT discomfort, and low blood pressure. Such effects could occur if the individual dosage is too high, so there might be a need to reduce dosage or discontinue use.
Also, the trace amounts of THC will not lead to any psychoactive effects. If such effects occur, then there’s a high probability that the product is marijuana-derived. When the concentration is too high, the severity of the effects becomes high too. It is also important to seek medical advice before using any cannabis products.
Conclusion
So, CBD oil may contain THC, but only in trace amounts. Properly manufactured CBD oils do not contain more than 0.3% THC. This is the legally permitted amount of THC that must be present in full-spectrum CBD oil. The trace amounts are not enough to produce euphoric “high” feelings. However, there is the possibility of a positive drug test arising.
It is not advisable to buy CBD oil that’s completely free from THC. The reason is that the cannabinoids work together to provide more effective results in hemp-derived CBD products. While the 0.3% THC amount may be detectable by a drug screening, those levels are not enough to produce psychoactive effects.
