CBD, or cannabidiol, is found in the genus Cannabis, which includes marijuana and hemp. This ancient plant contains many beneficial phytocannabinoids (or phytochemicals) that work naturally with the receptors in our natural endocannabinoid system. Our endocannabinoid system maintains homeostasis, or balance, in our bodies, helping to regulate appetite, pain sensation, memory, and mood. CBD-infused supplements can enhance our natural system.

Some so-called CBD products contain only hemp seed oil. There is very little CBD in the seeds, so while there are other beneficial compounds in the oil, it doesn’t provide very much CBD. Oil extracted from the whole plant, including the important flower, contains a wealth of CBD plus secondary cannabinoids and other natural constituents that work together to create an “entourage effect,” multiplying their healing properties.

Our CBD is fragrance-free, so there are no perfumes added. Terpenes are the ingredients in essential oils responsible for taste and aroma. (Limonene, for instance, smells like lemons). Essential oils have been used since ancient times, valued for their therapeutic and medicinal properties. Researchers today believe that terpenes are an important contributor to the “entourage effect.”

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains vitamins A, D, and E, as well as essential fatty acids (omega 3 and 6) and terpenes, which is why it is put into oils, balms, creams, and lotions. Because CBD is absorbed in smaller amounts through the skin with daily application, these products usually include smaller total amounts of CBD. CBD affects each individual differently, and it is important to experiment with amounts, starting small at first and increasing dosages as needed.

The World Health Organization released a report in 2018 stating that whole plant derived CBD is “safe and well-tolerated in humans and animals, and not associated with any negative health effects.” In addition, the study found preliminary evidence that CBD could be beneficial without side effects. While CBD has been found to be helpful for many users, it’s important to verify a product’s source and extraction methods before using it.

The answer is no. CBD extracted from hemp contains less than 0.3% THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. There are at least 113 cannabinoids that have been identified, of which CBD is the most common and have profound effects.

Whole-plant hemp extract with THC under the 0.3% limit, as defined by the 2018 United States Farm Bill, has been removed from the Controlled Substance’s Act as a Schedule 1 drug. The signed 2018 Farm Bill, supported by both parties, makes CBD from hemp legal on the federal level.