With so much interest in CBD (cannabidiol) lately, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the terminology of various CBD oil products and where they come from. Hopefully, this short article will clear things up.

First off, let’s discuss Cannabis, since that is the source of CBD. Cannabis is a family of plants with two primary classifications — Indica and Sativa. Both Hemp and Marijuana are species of the Cannabis Sativa family. However, there is a huge distinction when comparing Hemp vs Marijuana. Hemp contains very low concentrations of the psychoactive compound THC (0.3% or less), while Marijuana is abundant in THC with concentrations that may exceed 40%. Although CBD is present in both hemp and marijuana, for the purposes of this document, we will be talking about CBD that is derived from hemp. As long as CBD from hemp has no more than 0.3% THC, it can easily be obtained in all 50 states. Now that we cleared that up, let’s define the different types of CBD oil products.

CBD Oil (Hemp)

CBD oil is derived from the flowers, leaves and stalks of the hemp plant. The CBD is usually extracted from the plant by using complicated CO2 or ethanol extraction methods. CBD has been found to have many therapeutic health benefits by helping to balance the body. There are various ways that CBD is produced.

CBD Isolate

Purified CBD that does not contain any other compounds or plant material.

Full spectrum CBD

This product contains everything the plant contains. It has additional cannabinoids besides CBD and may also contain terpenes (aromatic compounds), flavonoids, fatty acids, waxes, and traces of THC. These additional compounds also have therapeutic value and work together to create what is known as the entourage effect.

Broad spectrum CBD

This is basically Full spectrum CBD with all traces of THC removed. Broad spectrum CBD can be made in 2 ways. One way is to take CBD isolate and then add the additional cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids etc. The other way is to use a unique process that totally removes the THC from a Full spectrum product. Broad spectrum CBD also offers all the entourage benefits.

Hemp Seed Oil

This oil is created only from using the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp seed oil does not contain any CBD, so it doesn’t have the same beneficial therapeutic uses that CBD has. Hemp Seed oil is cold pressed and mechanically separated. Hemp seed oil is primarily used as a food source since it is high in proteins and omega fatty acids. It is also used as a varnish for wood, a carrier oil in tinctures and for cosmetic purposes due to its anti-aging and emollient properties.