“CBDelirium, Part III; Wisdom in the Wild, Wild, West of CBD
Part III — Nearing Nirvana; The Ten Commandments of CDB Creation
In Part II of “CBDelirium”, we addressed the pros and cons of various CBD extraction methods, and the overt dangers inherent in not being educated about potential poisons in today’s CBD products. To complete our initial overview on what CBD consumers should know, we’ll explain Isolate, Broad-Spectrum, and Full-Spectrum CBD products, as well as offer up our easy but important checklist for folks buying CBD in, “Nearing Nirvana — Ten Commandments for CDB Creation”.
Extraction
Extraction is the process by which specific compounds are removed from the cannabis plant. As a reminder from “CBDelirium Part I”, the only difference between a cannabis plant being called legal hemp, vs illegal marijuana, is the amount of THC measured in the plant. A Cannabis plant with over .3% THC is marijuana and it, as well as ANY products made from it, is federally illegal. If equal to or under .3% THC, that cannabis plant is hemp, and legal.
There are well over one hundred cannabinoids, or closely related compounds, produced by the cannabis plant including CBD, THC, CBG, CBN, and so on. They all have unique properties that can be therapeutically useful for different things. Hundreds more differnent type compounds are also made by the plant, such as terpenes (responsible for cannabis scent), and flavonoids (responsible for color).
Both terpenes and flavonoids are both fascinating compunds that have their own unique therapeutic properties, and are very desirable in a CBD product. If there is a list of terpenes on a product’s lab report, it displays an expensive ‘extra level’ of testing, and is a good way to judge a CBD brand’s dedication to quality extraction.
On the Spectrum
An area in which the savvy CBD buyer should be well versed, is in the distinction between Isolate, Broad-Spectrum, and Full-Spectrum CBD products. These product categories can be realized from any form of extraction, but have different chemical properties and therefore different effects on the body — and the mind. Each type of compound presents important factors to consider, and understanding the difference is key for CBD users.
Tinctures vs Oils
Before we go any further, let’s discuss the difference between a CBD tincture and a CBD oil. A tincture is anything that is dissolved into an alcohol as a carrier for the CBD and other molecules. You’ll know it’s a tincture if it burns when placed under the tongue, where it is absorbed quicker than oils.
Most hemp products in a vial with a dropper are not tinctures, but rather oils that can contain CBD Isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum CBD. A label that says “tincture” but does not contain alcohol in the ingredients list already tells you that what is on that label does not match what’s in the bottle. This is just one more reason why reputable CBD companies want FDA regulations to define and differentiate between these carriers within the CBD industry.
OK Let’s Clarify — CBD Isolate, Broad-Spectrum CBD, Full-Spectrum CBD
In scientific terms, an isolate is the purest form of any compound, which is produced by singularly extracting that compound from its environment and isolating it from all other compounds. Therefore, a CBD isolate should theoretically contain almost nothing but CBD molecules, and perhaps a carrier oil or tincture depending on the product.
But CBD Isolate is deemed by many experts to be the least effective CBD product category. This has been demonstrated in studies which proved it required much higher doses of CBD Isolate to approximate the efficacy of lower doses of Full-Spectrum products. This is a confusing concept for many consumers who associate purity with higher quality. Not so with CBD.
In this case however, because the CBD compound is isolated, the user completely loses the “Entourage Effect” from all the other compounds naturally made by cannabis plants, as discussed earlier in CBDelirium Part II. Some studies show that without the collection of other compounds working together, efficacy rates can fall by as much as 50%.*
The “Broad-Spectrum CBD” category is extremely popular right now. Broad Spectrum products contain all cannabinoid entourage compounds found naturally in the original plant — with the exception of THC. Broad-Spectrum products are derived from hemp using a chromatography process and result in zero percent THC. It’s more efficacious than isolate due to all the other “Entourage Effect” compounds, but less than full-spectrum.
The third category, “Full-Spectrum CBD”, is considered by many experts to be CBD’s exemplary product. Full Spectrum has all of the compounds found in the “Broad Spectrum” category with the THC left intact. Most researchers agree the presence of THC is a critical component needed to realize CBD’s ultimate desired effects. Unfortunately for users, to be federally legal, the THC content must be equal to or under .3% THC.
The trace amounts of THC seem to be enough to boost things like pain relief and anxiety reduction, without bringing about a state of intoxication. Many people view “Full Spectrum CBD” as an essential part of their mental health regimen, to reduce stress or access quality sleep (ideally taken about an hour before bed) — and most use it without ever feeling “high”. Whether CBD should continue to be confusingly called “non-psycho active” versus “non-intoxicating” isn’t — but should be — a hotly debated issue right now, and we vow to bring you the many facets of that debate in future articles.
Demand Quality, Ensure Safety
So, please — buyer beware! Cheap and easy grow methods, paired with cheap and easy processing methods, plus a lack of consumer understanding, can spell disaster for a largely unregulated Industry like CBD. To be safe, and to encourage growers and processors to create the best products available, consumers are going to have to demand rigorous regulations — that begin in the field, and end with the user. Below you will find 10 things we, as customers, should require from our CBD providers, and our governments alike. Otherwise, who knows what substances we are actually consuming?
As the CBD industry continues to grow, it will be all of our shared responsibility to ensure that the healing properties of this fascinating compound are used — safely — by those who need it most. Demand the best products, and continue to be educated enough to hold brands accountable in this exponentially exploding industry.
Nearing Nirvana — Ten Commandments for CDB Creation
In the Plant…
- Cannabis sativa operations should be state-licensed and organically certified farms — providing assurance that legal Hemp plants were grown without the use of pesticides.
- Cannabis should be grown, processed, and packaged entirely in the United States. Imported hemp has a higher chance of being contaminated.
- Farmers should be educated to ensure plants are harvested at just the right time to create and optimize the profile of the hundreds of compounds found naturally within the plant.
- Harvests should be lab tested by 3rd parties, under no control of the CBD companies or industry, to determine the amount of THC present in crops as they are taken from the field. Too much THC makes crop, and all CBD products derived from it, illegal.
In the Processing…
5. In this author’s opinion, CBD should be collected using an Alcohol Extraction Method. CO2 is acceptable, hydrocarbon solvents should be avoided.
6. The Alcohol Extraction Method should use 190+% proof food-grade ethanol to extract.
7. Products should be derived from hemp flowers, and packaged in vials of oil, creams or other delivery methods proven safe. All other parts of the plant do not contain significant cannabinoids. The hemp seeds are tasty and a good source of Omegas though.
8. All products should be tested again by a 3rd party, after processing, to determine that no harmful products were added during the processing.
9. Processors should be made to do a full panel report (~$500) for each batch of product produced vs merely a ‘cannabinoid potency’ test (~$50). Full-panel reports will show the consumer that the product was tested for cannabinoids, terpenes, pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, fungi, and mycotoxins.
In the Product…
10. Product labels should have a QR code to take you straight to the associated lab report. The label should also have the producing company’s full contact information, with an ingredients list, nutritional panel, and expiration date.
*(For an advanced explanation of the loss of compounds caused by making isolates using this process, please read this explanation by Dr. Ethan Russo, a pre-eminent Cannabis researcher. According to research, loss of compounds include over 100 minor cannabinoids, including, perhaps most importantly, terpenes. This study also offers both complex and simple explanations of the positive implications entourage compounds have for specific health conditions.)
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Dr. Adrian Adams is the CEO of Ontogen Botanicals, a company dedicated to providing the highest quality CBD to physicians and their patients alike. As a former biology and chemistry educator, Dr. Adams has a deep understanding of the physical properties of the Cannabis sativa plant as well as the various processes used to grow hemp, extract CBD and create superior CBD products. Dr. Adams holds a doctorate in Education as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.
Dr. Adams is also a passionate influencer within the CBD industry, and a proponent and activist for the use of Medical Marijuana in New York State, having witnessed the significant, positive differences cannabis can make in people’s lives. Adrian is currently the New York State Director of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, a national nonprofit organization devoted to helping give new minority businesses access to the emerging Medical Marijuana industry.
Please read “The Invisible Journey”; #BLM and Being Bi-racial in the Jim Crow South and share our stories to help save lives.
