CBD and hemp are two compounds derived from the same plant family, Cannabis sativa. While CBD can come from marijuana, it can also be derived from hemp, a plant with 0.3% or less of THC. Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the cannabis plant, while CBD oil is derived from the flowers, leaves and stems. CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high.
CBD is usually listed as cannabidiol, full-spectrum hemp, hemp oil, hemp extracts by PCR (rich in phytocannabinoids) or PCR. Comparing CBD to hemp would be like comparing milk to dairy products. CBD is commonly formulated as an oil, but it can also be sold as an extract, vaporized liquid and oil-based capsule. Foods, beverages and beauty products are among the many CBD products available online.
A recent study by the American Medical Association tested more than 80 CBD-containing products from 31 companies and found that nearly 70 percent of those products were not precisely labeled and had higher or lower CBD concentrations than those indicated on the label. The FDA has sent warning letters to some companies for illegally selling CBD products and falsely advertising them as safe or effective medical treatments. Consumers concerned about the content and accuracy of CBD products, which are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, can apply for certification through independent laboratory tests or by scanning a QR code on the product packaging. Although manufacturers need to keep all components intact to obtain full-spectrum CBD oil products, they only need to extract the CBD to obtain the isolated CBD.
However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall within the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level, but legal under some state laws. In addition to the anti-epileptic effects of CBD, researchers have yet to confirm the other potential therapeutic benefits of CBD.