Does Hemp Oil Have THC?
Cannabinoids have just recently stepped into the spotlight, and with the legalization of CBD, consumers have a lot of questions. One of the most prominent of all being – Does hemp oil contain THC? The short answer is yes. But, before you freak out, keep reading as it’s a bit more in-depth than that – and not at all what you would think!
What Is THC?
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is a compound called a cannabinoid (CB) that is found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the human body that form part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This ECS assists in or encourages certain functions in the human body.
The extended THC use could result in addiction, as your brain craves more and more of the compound in order to achieve the same feeling of being high.
However, small amounts of THC may not overwhelm the ECS and therefore won’t produce the same psychoactive and negative side effects associated with its use.
Hemp oil can contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. However, to better understand why there are trace amounts of THC found in CBD products you must first look at how it is made.
How Are CBD Products Made?
Oils that contain CBD are made by using a strain of the hemp plant that has a high CBD content and a low THC content. The reason for this is because tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to counteract the medicinal benefits of CBD in instances of high ratio differences (i.e. very high THC count versus low CBD). Therefore, only specific strains can be used for production.
How Is CBD Extracted?
While there are several methods used to extract CBD oils, typically manufacturers use a process called CO2 supercritical extraction. This is currently viewed as the safest extraction method for human use, as well as the most efficient way to obtain the purest form of CBD.
CO2 extraction is a method in which carbon dioxide is used to pull CBD and other properties found within the plants and separate it into a usable concentrate. The oil is then filtered through various chambers under low temperatures and high pressure. This ensures that the final product is of the purest medicinal oil available – implying that there are no traces left of any other plant extracts such as chlorophyll.
So, Is There THC In CBD?
Nothing is foolproof though, and during the extraction process, minimal amounts of THC can be leftover. So, while hemp oil can contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (less than 0.3%), it is not enough to give the user any of the side effects they would usually experience with any other cannabis product, specifically, the psychoactive responses. In short, it doesn’t count. This information leads to another important question – what does this mean for hemp oil users and drug screens? Click here to discover more about the uses of hemp oil and drug screens. Have other questions about hemp oil products?