The CBD industry is relatively new and unregulated. While there is a lot of excitement about the potential health benefits of CBD oil products, there is also a plethora of misinformation. In this article we’ll discuss the top 5 common myths and misconceptions about hemp-derived CBD oil.
1. “CBD oil will not make you test positive on a drug test”
This is the biggest myth out there currently and it can also be the most detrimental. The idea that you cannot test positive on a drug test when using hemp-derived CBD oil is often promoted by brands selling CBD and their brand ambassadors or affiliates. This mentality has led some users to lose jobs or doctors due to a failed drug test. And unfortunately, it’s just not true.
One of the most popular types of CBD product on the market is full spectrum CBD oil. Hemp-derived full spectrum oils often contain up to 2 milligrams of THC per milliliter. While this is still less than the legal maximum of 0.3% THC and will not cause intoxicating effects, it’s can be more than enough to trigger a positive on a drug test.
Broad spectrum and isolate-based CBD products are often marketed as THC free. While they do carry less risk, the risk is not zero. There are many variables that factor into the risk of testing positive. These include weight, frequency of intake, method of intake, and more.
So just because a friend hasn’t tested positive with a certain product, it doesn’t mean you won’t either. And while you may not test positive right away, THC can build up over time.
Our article “Will CBD Oil Make You Fail a Drug Test” explains in more detail. But the bottom line is that if you absolutely cannot risk a positive on a drug test, it’s safest to forgo CBD products altogether.
2. “Hemp contains no THC”
Some believe that since hemp contains very little THC by law, that it can be considered “THC free.” Unfortunately, this is not the case. Hemp can contain up to 0.3% of THC and it’s very difficult to produce a cannabis plant that is completely devoid of all traces of it.
While there are many products out there that have removed THC during the extraction process, the raw flower before it is processed still contains all of the plant’s natural components. Hemp still contains THC, it is just significantly less than most marijuana products.
3. “CBD from hemp is different than CBD from marijuana”
In molecular terms, CBD derived from the hemp plant is identical to CBD derived from marijuana. Both hemp and marijuana belong to the cannabis genus. From a legal perspective, hemp is cannabis with less than 0.3% THC. Anything over that amount is legally considered as marijuana.
99.99% pure CBD isolate derived from hemp would be identical to 99.99% pure CBD isolate derived from marijuana. The CBD molecule is the same. Where differences start to come in has to do with other products containing the “full spectrum” of cannabinoids.
Hemp plants are often harvested early to keep the THC content down, essentially stunting the growth of many other cannabinoids and terpenes. Marijuana, on the other hand, is usually harvested later and as a result can sometimes have a more robust cannabinoid and terpene profile.
4. “Hemp oil and hemp seed oil are always the same thing”
In fact, hemp oil and hemp seed oil are not always the same thing. Hemp seed oil is an oil derived from the seeds of the hemp cannabis plant. The seeds do not produce any cannabinoids. So they are not a viable source of CBD.
Hemp oil is a term that can be used to describe both hemp seed oil or hemp-derived CBD oil. These are two very different products and it can be understandably confusing. It also does not help that many brands are using this ambiguity to label their hemp seed oil products in a way that confuses consumers.
You can tell whether a product contains CBD by asking the brand for the third party lab reports that contain its cannabinoid profile. If they don’t have these lab reports or refuse to share them, chances are the product doesn’t contain any CBD.
5. “CBD is useless without THC”
Research studies have shown that CBD can have a wide variety of benefits when used on its own. While it is true that pure CBD isolate doesn’t produce the “entourage effect,” it would be inaccurate to call it useless.
Many CBD users of can’t use products with THC due to drug testing concerns. But many users have reported effectiveness for a wide range of conditions from using CBD products without detectable levels of THC.
It is generally recommended to try full spectrum CBD oil products that include trace amounts of THC if you can. But the presence of THC is not always completely necessary to get results from CBD products.
