Federal law states that products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, must contain 0.3% or less in order to qualify as cannabidiol (CBD) products, such as CBD oil. Furthermore, hemp must be the source of CBD products rather than the marijuana plant.
Numerous therapeutic benefits of cannabis have been demonstrated by researchers. It could aid in the treatment of numerous illnesses. If you are considering adding marijuana to your regimen, you should first speak with a medical marijuana doctor. The doctor will assess your condition and determine whether marijuana is beneficial for you.
Find out more about the origins of the magic 0.3%, how THC content is determined, and how much THC is present in various CBD product types.
The Importance of 0.3% THC in CBD Products
According to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, if a product has less than 0.3% THC, it is not regarded as a controlled substance under federal law. This is significant because cannabis is still categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is permitted to maintain regulatory control over products derived from cannabis under the 2018 Farm Bill. Therefore, for CBD products to be deemed legal, they must be made from the hemp plant rather than the cannabis plant. Regardless of the amount of THC it contains, a CBD product made from the marijuana plant is prohibited.
It’s interesting to note that the origin of the 0.3% THC limit has no bearing on whether or not a user can become intoxicated from a CBD product. In a 1976 study, Canadian scientist Dr. Ernest Small established the 0.3% threshold as a way to differentiate between cannabis with high and low THC levels. The federal government’s use of the 0.3% threshold to distinguish hemp from marijuana over the years somehow obscured Dr. Small’s work.
How THC Levels Are Measured in CBD Products
The amount of THC is measured using a variety of methods. One popular technique for measuring chemical compounds in a liquid solution is High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Although the HPLC is currently the most popular technique for determining the amount of THC and other cannabinoids, it is not infallible.
Accuracy Concerns
There are issues with accuracy when determining the amount of THC in a product because measuring techniques are not standardized. States have different testing requirements, and different laboratories employ different methods.
However, as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) strives to assist labs in achieving uniform accuracy, these accuracy problems might soon be history. NIST will work to improve the consistency of laboratory testing and measurement results as part of the Cannabis Quality Assurance program.
According to Brent Wilson, a research chemist at NIST, “you want to know that you can trust that number when you walk into a store or dispensary and see a label that says 10% CBD.”
More significantly, from a legal perspective, precise THC measurement will guarantee that a substance doesn’t surpass the federal limit of 0.3% and can be rightfully categorized as a CBD product.
Do All CBD Products Contain 0.3% THC?
Not all CBD products have an exact 0.3% concentration of the cannabinoid because some contain 0.3% THC or less. Three categories of CBD products exist:
- Full-spectrum CBD products
- CBD isolate products
- Broad-spectrum CBD products
The highest concentration of THC (up to 0.3%) is found in full-spectrum CBD products, whereas trace amounts of THC, which are too small to measure, may be present in broad-spectrum CBD products. Last but not least, CBD isolate products don’t include any THC or potentially therapeutic terpenes or other cannabinoids.
While broad-spectrum and full-spectrum products are helpful for those who wish to experience the full range of therapeutic compounds from the cannabis plant, CBD isolate is the preferred product for those who only want to consume CBD. Combining different terpenes and cannabinoids (as well as flavonoids) triggers the entourage effect, which increases the potency of each compound as they cooperate.
Ending Words!
According to federal law, the THC content of CBD products must be 0.3% or less. It is unlikely that CBD users will experience psychoactive effects from this low THC concentration. THC measurement accuracy issues exist, though, and products devoid of terpenes and other cannabinoids may lose important therapeutic potential.
Use a medical marijuana card to legally explore CBD and cannabis products. Get in touch with West Virginia MMJ Card Doctor’s skilled medical staff and begin the Hurricane medical marijuana card application process online in a matter of minutes.
