Not all CBD oil is the same. Some oils contain a wide range of cannabinoids, including THC, while others only contain pure CBD. These different types of CBD oils are often referred to as being isolate, or full-spectrum. Despite different types of CBD oil providing unique effects and containing a unique range of compounds, few people truly understand the therapeutic differences of different formulas. There is also little agreement among those within the CBD industry – and those who use CBD – as to whether THC-free oils are actually better. So, are best CBD oil without the THC option, and if so, why?
What is THC?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. THC is mainly known for its psychoactive properties, and its use as a recreational drug. Despite its intoxicating effects, THC can be found in very small quantities in some CBD products and supplements, as they come from the same plant.
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There are strict regulations in place that limit how much THC can be present in CBD products in order for them to be legally sold as supplements. The USA, for example, has set a limit of 0.3% THC, with any more than this being deemed illegal in states where cannabis use is still banned. Some states like South Dakota, have recently legalized marijuana use, meaning you can get certified for a South Dakota medical marijuana card, allowing you to access medical marijuana much sooner than waiting for the state’s recently installed program.
When THC is present in amounts as small as 0.3%, it is not able to cause any noticeable mind-altering effects. Full-spectrum CBD products do contain THC (as they retain all of the cannabinoids and compounds within the plant), but they conform to the 0.3% limit.
Still, many people prefer CBD products that don’t contain any THC at all, as they are frightened of any potential psychoactive high or issue with drug testing that even a small amount of THC might cause.
CBD oil without the THC
CBD isolate refers to pure CBD and is the term most commonly used to indicate that a CBD oil is THC-free. CBD isolate oils are made using intensive filtration methods which remove all compounds other than CBD, which can then be used to make CBD isolate oils.
Broad-spectrum is another type of CBD product, and these are also THC-free. With broad-spectrum products, some plant compounds have been removed during manufacturing, but not all.
Broad-spectrum CBD oils provide a good middle ground for those that want THC-free oil, but still want to benefit from the entourage effect; which is a phenomenon caused by different cannabinoids interacting together within the body to produce an amplified effect.
Why are people choosing THC-free oil?
The main reason people choose THC-free oils over full-spectrum CBD oils is that they’re concerned about drug testing. As we mentioned earlier, even though full-spectrum CBD oils contain negligible amounts of THC, it is still enough to show up on a marijuana drug test. The risk of this happening is slight, but there is still a risk nonetheless.
Also, depending on specific legislation within different states and localities, THC may not be allowed at all in CBD oils and other CBD products. Thus, THC-free CBD oils may be the only option(s) available to some consumers, depending on where they live.
Is THC-free CBD oil really a better option?
As long as CBD oils do not contain any more than the legal limit (0.3%) of THC, they are believed to be safe to use and offer the same health benefits as THC-free oils. As far as a “better” option, CBD oils without THC are really only preferable to those looking to minimize the risk of failing a drug test.
About the Author
Kayla Burns
Kayla Burns’ passion for learning about CBD and the cannabis industry began when she studied Nutrition and Dietetics at the Central Michigan University. Over the last few years, Kayla has split her time between sharing her knowledge of CBD through her articles on WayofLeaf and devoting her time to educating people about the therapeutic effects of cannabis.
Learn more about Kayla Burns: ttps://wayofleaf.com/author/kayla
