Most people don’t know much about CBD oil’s chemical composition. This is why we’re often asked does hemp extract have THC?
Hemp has a plethora of chemicals. It possesses various cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, minerals, vitamins, and other substances. In fact, this is probably one of the reasons why hemp extracts are so impactful. With many substances within, it isn’t surprising that CBD oil will have such a strong impact on our bodies.
Regardless of all these chemicals, the main reason why anyone would use a hemp extract is because of its high CBD concentration. This is one of the most powerful wellness substances in nature, and it can regulate numerous functions within the body.
Due to CBD’s overwhelming popularity, THC’s wellness properties are often disregarded. But it shouldn’t be so. This substance might also have a great impact on our body and regulate various internal processes.
In this article, the Airmid Hemp Extracts team will answer the question: “Does hemp extract have THC?” Check it out!
What types of chemicals are present within hemp extracts?
Hemp extracts can basically have all the chemicals within the hemp plant. However, companies put special emphasis on cannabinoids and terpenes.
Cannabinoids are some of the most potent wellness chemicals found in nature. They resemble naturally occurring cannabinoids without our bodies, which is probably why CBD oil has such a good impact with minimal side effects. Our metabolism is able to easily process the chemicals and get the most out of them.
The two most common cannabinoids within cannabis plant products are CBD and THC. They might also have CBC, CBG, CBN, and a few others. Some of them might excel at certain roles or benefits, but experts will agree that CBD (or cannabidiol) is the most impactful of them all.
Terpenes are chemicals that provide smell and taste to plants. They can be found in every plant, and this is how we differentiate them (aside from their form and color).
Some of the most common terpenes and myrcene, limonene, pinene, and so on. As farmers started to experiment with hemp and marijuana, the number of naturally occurring terpenes within the plants slowly increased.
Nowadays, you can find various types of chemicals in cannabis, each with its own set of wellness properties.
Does hemp extract have THC?
To answer this question bluntly, a hemp extract can have THC. But, in most countries, the concentration of THC within a hemp-derived product is very low.
In the US and EU, a hemp plant substance cannot have more than 0.3% THC. In the UK, this percentage is down to 0.2%.
Such a low concentration might provide beneficial effects without causing psychoactive episodes. If a product has more than this concentration, it will be characterized as a marijuana product and not a hemp item.
The presence of THC usually depends on the type of oil that we’re using. We differentiate 3 main categories of CBD tinctures:
- Full-spectrum CBD oil is the most common hemp extract on the market. This substance is directly derived from hemp, and it is not additionally processed, unlike other tinctures. Full-spectrum CBD has all the terpenes and cannabinoids as the underlying hemp strain. According to experts, this product can create the “entourage effect,” where all these cannabinoids can have a synergetic effect. Among others, full-spectrum wellness items will have THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD oil is very similar to full-spectrum oil. However, it doesn’t have THC. This chemical was later on removed through a process of distillation. So, you will be able to enjoy all the cannabinoids and terpenes as you would usually, but you won’t be exposed to the potentially negative effects of THC. These products are especially great for people who are working in sensitive industries and have to take regular drug tests.
- CBD isolates only have one substance, and that is CBD. Obviously, the product doesn’t have any THC inside of it. Companies create isolates to place focus on one specific chemical while omitting everything else. Given that CBD is the most potent cannabinoid of all, it would make sense that a lot of people would prefer using isolate instead of some other type of oil.
Keep in mind that things are a bit different when it comes to marijuana-derived products.
These items focus on THC instead of CBD. Some of them might have a THC concentration of 20% or more. As a result, these substances are much more carefully regulated because they are categorized as recreational cannabis.
Will I test positive during drug screening if CBD oil has THC?
Many people make the mistake of thinking that companies test for CBD. This isn’t the case. Instead, they focus on the psychoactive compound THC.
If you used full-spectrum oil, you would be exposed to a certain quantity of THC. While this might be a small amount of the substance, there is still a chance you will test positive during a screening.
Generally speaking, you will have to use the product for a while so that the concentration within blood increases enough. Otherwise, if you used it just once, it is very unlikely that you will test positive.
Anyway, if you are working within a sensitive industry such as transportation or the military, it might be better to avoid using products with THC. If you really do need medical hemp, we suggest that you go with isolate or broad-spectrum.
Is it better for hemp extract to have THC?
If we are talking about potential wellness benefits, it seems that full-spectrum CBD tinctures provide much better results than some other types of products. Having even a small THC quantity can provide additional wellness perks.
On the other hand, THC can be quite a problem for people who are regularly tested. It can also pose issues for athletes in certain situations. Some people might be unwilling to administer the chemical.
The good thing is that you shouldn’t get high when using hemp extracts with THC. The concertation is simply too low to create any negative effect on your body.