The short answer is yes. The reported health benefits of CBD are widespread & are fast becoming a household medicine cabinet essential… even with zero % THC content.
Navigating the complex and ever shifting landscape of the evolving CBD market can at first glance seem like a labyrinth of legal lingo & long worded medical terminology. Throughout this article we will take a high altitude birds eye view of the CBD scrabble table and shed some light on the commonly misunderstood and head scratching question; 'CBD Without THC Does it Work?'.
The legalisation of medical marijuana (for users with a valid prescription) in a growing number of US states spawned a booming industry of derivative medicinal hemp derived CBD products. Despite its rapid mainstream acceptance there are still many misunderstandings about the different components & medicinal applications of the cannabis plant.
CBD is short for “cannabidiol.” It is one of the many chemical compounds that can be found in the cannabis plant. THC is the infamous component that is associated with user reported ‘highs’, however CBD without THC can also offer numerous health benefits minus the intoxicating ‘high’ associated with its big brother; marijuana.
CBD or THC, What’s The Difference?
CBD and THC are the most active compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant that sits at the top of the CBD food chain. From the Cannabis Sativa plant two sibling plants are derived; Hemp and Cannabis or Marijuana, both of these plants contain CBD and THC but in different ratios.
Hemp; contains a dominant amount of CBD with only trace amounts of the THC compound making it first choice for product manufacturers. With Hemp’s dominant CBD to THC ratio, trusted suppliers are able to virtually eliminate any intoxicating and psychoactive THC effects allowing users to enjoy all the medicinal benefits of CBD without the often unwanted ‘highs’ associated with THC.
Cannabis or Marijuana derived CBD has a much higher ratio of THC to CBD. A higher concentrated THC level is known to give users a more intoxicating experience, making it not only more sought after for recreational users but also among chronic pain sufferers needing more potent pain relief solution. Regulation for Marijuana derived CBD products is understandably much tighter and legal penalties can be an obvious hazard to avoid, so be sure to research both local and federal legislation in your country before shopping for CBD with THC products.
Is CBD Psychoactive?
This is entirely dependent on the THC concentration level of the product. The ‘psychoactive’ effects of CBD are only felt when a product contains high levels of THC. By law, British CBD products must contain a mandatory 0.00% THC content, however in the US 0.03% THC is the FDA approved regulation for completely removing the psychoactive effects from CBD products.
To summarise, in the US, provided a CBD product contains below 0.03% THC it is not considered to be psychoactive. In the UK, CBD products must contain 0.00% THC.
CBD Without THC vs CBD With THC
CBD products fall into 2 categories; CBD with THC and CBD without THC. It really comes down to the consumer & what exactly they are looking to get out of each product.
Both CBD without THC and CBD with THC affect the neurotransmitters in your brain, which are responsible for the body’s reaction to stress, pain, and sleep, among several others.
With regard to the chemical structure, these variants interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system in different ways.
CBD without THC has been used to help with inflammation, seizures, pain, anxiety, IBS, glaucoma, muscle spasms, physical pain, insomnia, nausea, decreased appetite and headaches.
CBD with THC (above 0.03% THC) also benefits sufferers with all of the above conditions however it also comes with a more potent psychoactive effect that is widely considered illegal in most highly regulated countries.
When it comes to the medical benefits, both product variants are beneficial, but CBD without THC will not give you the euphoric & psychoactive effect thats associated with higher % THC content products.
As far as side effects, CBD with zero THC is generally very well tolerated and has little to no drug interactions. Rare side effects may include nausea, dizziness or fatigue.
CBD with THC on the other hand has several side effects, but also mostly are well tolerated. Those include red eyes, dry mouth, increased heart rate, slow reaction times, coordination problems, or memory loss.
To date, there have been zero recorded fatalities attributed to CBD related products.
Which US States is CBD Legal in?
Many people assume that throughout the United States, CBD is legal. Unfortunately, it isn’t, and there are also certain counties and jurisdictions where CBD is tightly regulated & even considered highly illegal too. For US citizens, it’s crucial to understand your state's local laws regarding CBD in order to avoid legal consequences.
The CBD Green States
In Green states, marijuana has been legalized. CBD is also legal in these states, for this reason they're considered to be a wiser location to buy CBD products as they’re likely to better regulated and manufactured.
Cannabis and CBD are legal in the following states:
Oregon
Colorado
Nevada
Massachusetts
South Dakota
Montana
Vermont
Maine
Michigan
Washington State
Illinois
California
Arizona
Alaska
The CBD Gray States
Gray states are where the legal lines begin to blur and a confusing gray area adds an additional layer of complication to the CBD legizlation mix. State laws can often contradict federal laws in gray states meaning some of this gray area even spreads into states where CBD is legal, like Vermont or Maine, which hold some restrictions.
The following are gray states with restrictions regarding CBD:
Virginia
Connecticut
Nebraska
Arkansas
Delaware
Washington
Florida
Pennsylvania
Minnesota
New Hampshire
Mississippi
Conclusion
Both CBD with 0.0% THC and CBD with high levels of THC are full of numerous health benefits.
Depending on the users desired outcomes choosing a product can be relatively simple; if one is looking to achieve all the reported health benefits without the reported ‘highs’ and legal risks, CBD with 0.0% THC is your safest bet & readily available from trusted online retailers.