Does CBD Have THC?

Introduction

If you've heard of CBD, you've almost certainly heard of THC. These two natural compounds produce very different effects when consumed, but they're both found in hemp and marijuana. This simple fact begs the question — "Does CBD have THC in it?"

It's a sensible question. And for those who've had negative experiences with THC or who are subject to regular drug testing, it's an important one. In order to answer whether or not CBD has THC in it, we need to first take a look at what CBD and THC actually are.

CBD, THC, and the Cannabis Sativa Plant

Cannabis sativa contains over 100 different cannabinoids (special cannabis compounds). The two most well-known and most prevalent of these cannabinoids are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

Hemp and marijuana are varieties of cannabis sativa and each contains the full spectrum of cannabinoids — CBD and THC included.

Hemp and marijuana are essentially the same plant, with the main difference being how much CBD and THC each contains.

• The hemp plant contains mostly CBD, with small amounts of other cannabinoids (including THC).

• The marijuana plant contains mostly THC, with small amounts of other cannabinoids (including CBD).

Hemp — the CBD-rich variety of cannabis sativa — was legalized on a federal level in 2018, with the passing of the Farm Bill.1 (Marijuana — the THC-rich variety — remains heavily controlled in the U.S.)

But there's a catch. Hemp must contain no more than 0.3% THC to be considered hemp (and legal). Any more THC than that, and it's classified as marijuana.

What Is THC and What Does It Do?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a major cannabinoid and the main psychoactive compound in cannabis sativa. THC binds with certain cannabinoid receptors in the brain to cause a euphoric "high" feeling. The effects of THC, which are commonly associated with marijuana, can also bring about mild hallucinations, paranoia, and may even distort your perception of space and time.2 

What Is CBD and What Does It Do?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the cannabinoid thought to be responsible for many of the potential health benefits attributed to cannabis plants.3

CBD works by interacting with the body's internal systems to help bring about overall balance. It has the potential to alleviate aches and pains (as from exercise-induced inflammation), provide natural support for healthy sleep, improve mood, and relieve everyday stress. And, unlike THC, CBD won't make you high.

Does CBD Have THC in It?

CBD and THC are two separate and unique cannabinoids.

Asking if CBD has THC in it is a little like asking if wheat has rice in it. Technically no. They're two different grains, but some wheat crackers may have rice in them. And so it is with CBD and THC.

Technically, CBD doesn't have THC in it. They're two different cannabinoids. But CBD is rarely taken in its pure form. CBD oils, extracts, gummies, lotions, and vapes, are often made using cannabinoid extracts — and all have the potential to contain THC as well as other cannabinoids.

It all comes down to the type of CBD in the product, and the overall quality of the CBD product.

Different Types of CBD

Most CBD supplements on the market are made with one of three types of CBD:

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is CBD processed into its purest form, a crystalline powder with no other cannabis compounds. It's 100% CBD.

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum cannabidiol is made with a hemp extract that contains primarily CBD, but it also includes lesser amounts of various other cannabinoids. The THC content in broad spectrum products, however, is reduced to an undetectable level (basically 0%).

Full Spectrum CBD

Full spectrum CBD is similar to broad spectrum as it contains mostly CBD, along with a variety of other cannabinoids. The big difference is that full spectrum cannabidiol supplements also contain up to 0.3% THC (the federally legal amount). That's not enough to get you high, but it is enough to enhance the efficacy of the CBD through the "entourage effect."

What's the Entourage Effect?

The entourage effect is when multiple cannabinoids taken together produce greater beneficial results than they would on their own. Full spectrum cannabidiol is considered by many to be the most effective of the three types of CBD listed above, and that's because it's the only one that can produce the entourage effect.

CBD From Hemp vs. CBD From Marijuana

Before hemp and its extracts became legalized in 2018, any amount of THC was illegal under federal law. These days, however, hemp extracts up to 0.3% THC are commonly sold in stores and online.

In some parts of the country — where cannabis has been legalized on a state level — it's possible to find marijuana-derived CBD supplements, and these will likely contain levels of THC far above the 0.3% limit.

CBD Product Quality — the High and the Low

Upon the passage of the 2018 legislation, hemp-based CBD products with trace amounts of THC hit the market hard and fast. So fast, in fact, that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to pass any regulations on hemp-derived CBD products (beyond the 0.3% THC limit). The CBD industry anticipated the FDA to issue regulations in 2019, but several years later, Americans are still waiting.

Low-Quality CBD

Some unscrupulous CBD supplement manufacturers have taken advantage of the lack of regulations and, as a result, many cannabidiol extracts sold online are low quality. Here are some things to be aware of:

• These CBD supplements are made with non-organic hemp extracts which may contain contaminants such as pesticides, residual solvents, and heavy metals.

• The actual THC and CBD content doesn't always match up with labeling, so you could be getting less CBD than you paid for.

• Sometimes, poor manufacturing practices invite the contamination of "THC-free" supplements with THC during production (bad news if you're trying to avoid THC).

High-Quality CBD

Still, there are many reputable CBD companies that have taken matters into their own hands to ensure they're only offering high-quality CBD supplements to their customers. Here's what to look for when vetting brands in the search for a CBD supplement:

• Organic Hemp Extract
  Hemp is known to decontaminate bad soil because it absorbs toxins and heavy metals faster than it can eliminate them. If you plant hemp in a contaminated field, you'll end up with healthier soil. Unfortunately, all of those contaminants end up in the hemp itself, and in any CBD supplements made from that plant.

That's why ethical CBD companies make sure to only use organic hemp extracts in their CBD supplements. Hemp grown in healthy soil without the use of pesticides remains pure and free from harmful contaminants — and so do its extracts.

• Gentle Extraction Using Organic Sugarcane Ethanol
  Many CBD companies employ the supercritical CO2 extraction method, which produces a harsh, bitter product.

A gentler method is to extract the cannabinoids using organic sugarcane ethanol. The resulting extract is potent, but not bitter.

• Third Party Lab Tests and Results
  Any CBD company confident in its product will utilize third party lab tests to verify both the cannabinoid content of their supplements, and to confirm the absence of harmful heavy metals, pesticides, solvent residues, and other contaminants. And these companies will make the results of these tests available to their customers in the form of a certificate of analysis (COA). Reviewing a product's COA is the best way to combat poor labeling accuracy — and confirm that CBD has its advertised amount of THC.
  
  If a company is selling CBD supplements and it doesn't employ third party testing or make the results public, run (don't walk) the other way.

Does All CBD Have THC? Oils, Gummies, and Everything in Between

So, now we know that CBD itself doesn't contain THC. However, CBD products made with certain types of CBD extracts do have THC in them. Let's do a quick run-through of different types of CBD supplements and whether or not they include THC.

Does Hemp Extract Have THC?

Hemp extracts typically contain multiple cannabinoids, which may include THC, depending on the type of extract.

• Full spectrum hemp extracts do contain THC, although no more than 0.3%.

• Broad spectrum hemp extracts typically have undetectable levels of THC.

• If the bottle is labeled 0% THC, then it shouldn’t have any THC in it.

Does CBD Oil Have THC in It?

CBD oil is a combination of hemp extract or pure CBD and a carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil, olive oil, or MCT oil (a kind of coconut oil). Whether or not it will contain THC will depend entirely on which type of CBD is used, as follows:

• Full spectrum oil will contain some THC (0.3% or less).

• Broad spectrum oil will contain trace levels of THC or no THC.

• CBD oils labeled 0% THC are probably made with either broad spectrum hemp extract or pure cannabidiol (isolate) and should contain no THC.

Do CBD Gummies Have THC in Them?

As with any other CBD product, CBD gummies may have THC in them.

• Full spectrum gummies will contain a small amount of THC (up to 0.3%).

• Broad spectrum gummies shouldn't contain THC, but if they do, the levels are negligible.

• THC-free CBD gummies shouldn't contain any THC — just make sure to check the COA to confirm this.

Do Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online Have THC?

The term "cannabidiol extract" is often used synonymously with "hemp extract" or "CBD extract." Type it into Google and you'll likely see many full spectrum hemp extracts pop up as the first results. These full spectrum products will contain (you guessed it) up to 0.3% THC.

However, it is possible to find cannabidiol extracts that only contain CBD and have 0% THC. 

Remember to always check the certificate of analysis (COA) before you purchase any product. This will allow you to confirm exactly how much of each cannabinoid is in the product. 

How Much THC Is in Full Spectrum CBD Products?

Full spectrum cannabidiol may not contain more than 0.3% THC, but that doesn't mean all full spectrum products have that much. THC content varies from one full spectrum product to the next, and some contain closer to 0.2% THC.

You can verify the exact THC content of a particular full spectrum cannabidiol product by looking at its COA.

CBD With THC — To Avoid or Not To Avoid?

Whether or not you should avoid CBD with THC depends on your situation.

If you're avoiding full spectrum products because of a past negative experience with marijuana, you can breathe easy. The amount of THC present in a full spectrum cannabidiol product is so low that it won't produce the unwanted psychoactive effects associated with marijuana.

CBD won't make you high, it won't distort your perceptions, and it won't cause paranoia.

However, if you're avoiding THC due to workplace drug testing, that's another matter.

Will CBD Make You Fail a Drug Test?

While the low amount of THC present in hemp-derived CBD products is legal, THC from marijuana is not (at least in most parts of the country). As a result, may companies still subject their employees to routine workplace drug testing for marijuana (as well as other controlled substances).

A urine drug test (the most common type of drug test) typically looks for cannabis metabolites. However, some tests can't even tell the difference between THC and CBD metabolites, let alone the difference between those from legal THC (derived from hemp) and illegal THC (derived from marijuana).

Since the use of cannabidiol wellness products is becoming more prevalent in mainstream society, some companies have implemented CBD drug test guidelines. These guidelines suggest a THC cutoff point for drug test results where THC content may be admissible in negligible quantities. However, there are still many workplaces that don't yet have access to these more sophisticated drug tests, and some that simply don't care to update their policies regarding CBD use.

This is all to say that CBD use may result in a positive drug test, whether or not the CBD contains THC.

If you're concerned about passing a drug test, it's best to avoid cannabinoids, including all CBD supplements and products. Curious to know more? Read our article about CBD and drug tests.

Does CBD Need THC to Work?

Studies show that cannabinoids work best when they're working together. Remember the entourage effect we discussed earlier? Yes, that's what we're talking about.4

A cannabidiol supplement labeled "full spectrum" contains a greater range of cannabinoids. These work synergistically to maximize the potential benefits of each individual cannabinoid.

For this reason, choosing a broad spectrum or CBD-only supplement, just to avoid the small amount of THC found in full spectrum products, could result in wasted money and fewer wellness benefits.

Getting the Most Out of Your CBD Products

When you're ready to start including CBD in your wellness regimen, maximize your potential benefits by choosing a high-quality CBD with the full spectrum of cannabinoids.

Cornbread Hemp's cannabidiol supplements are organic and made with Flower-OnlyTM extract. They contain many of the 100+ cannabinoids found in hemp in order to provide the absolute best results. All of our products are subject to third party testing, and we provide certificates of analysis on our website, so you can see for yourself exactly what each product contains.

Plus, our Whole Flower CBD gummies and CBD oils come in a variety of CBD potency levels, so you can finetune your daily dose to your own personal needs. 

Explore Cornbread Hemp's full line of CBD products in our online store to find your perfect match.