You have probably seen CBD (cannabinol) items for sale online or at local stores. As a cannabis product, you might wonder how much THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is in CBD? The short answer is that full-spectrum CBD products derived from hemp contain 0.3 percent, or less THC.
You can purchase hemp-derived CBD (known as isolates or broad-spectrum) which contains no THC. However, CBD products derived from marijuana often contain higher levels of THC.
Here is a quick breakdown of how much THC is in CBD:
- Hemp-derived CBD products can legally contain up to 0.3 percent THC.
- Isolate or broad-spectrum hemp-derived CBD products contain NO THC, however, broad-spectrum CBD may contain trace amounts of THC as it is removed vs isolated.
- Full-spectrum CBD products contain up to 0.3 percent CBD.
- Marijuana-derived CBD may contain higher percentages of THC than hemp-derived CBD products and are often marketed in ratios such as 1:1, 2:1, etc.
What is THC?
THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol which is a natural cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. The cannabinoid appears at higher levels in marijuana than in hemp.
Most people are familiar with THC as the chemical responsible for marijuana’s physiological effects. Basically, ingestion of THC products causes a strong psychoactive response in the user giving them the famous ‘high’ associated with marijuana use.
The human body has what is referred to as ‘cannabinoid receptors’. The receptors are located in certain regions of the brain that are associated with pleasure, memory, thinking, time perception, and coordination.
Tetrahydrocannabinol has the ability to attach effectively to the receptors and immediately start to activate them. The interaction between the THC and the receptors is what causes the user to feel the classic ‘high’ associated with marijuana use.
THC is one of many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It is naturally secreted by the plant’s glands in the form of resin. The glands are also clustered around the plant’s reproductive organs.
CBD or THC, Which Is Better?
If you are wondering how does CBD make you feel compared to THC? The answer is that, unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects. However, some users of CBD feel more relaxed and many pain sufferers find relief.
What is the Relationship Between THC and CBD?
In marijuana, THC is typically found in the most abundance followed by CBD. CBD in high levels has the ability to counter the effects of THC, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Strains of marijuana that have been bred to contain higher levels of CBD actually overpower the THC, so the user does not experience strong psychoactive responses.
Does CBD Have THC?
CBD does not contain THC but instead exists alongside THC. Both compounds are cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. However, you can purchase CBD products such as vapes, topicals, and edibles that contain varying levels of THC or no THC.
By law in the United States, hemp-derived CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC.
Many people opt to use CBD supplements. You’ll find CBD available in a wide array of forms such as edibles like CBD gummies online, topicals, and vapes.
Why Does CBD Contain Less THC?
Hemp-derived CBD has been specifically bred to contain extraordinarily little THC due to laws in the United States that list THC as a Schedule 1 Substance. In some states, marijuana with high concentrations of THC has been legalized for medicinal and recreational use.
Nationwide, THC remains illegal at a federal level. In order to legally sell CBD topicals, edibles, and vapes, manufacturers have to use CBD derived from hemp to ensure that it contains less than 0.3% THC legally.
THC and its Legalities
As of February 2022, 37 states have taken the step to legalize medical marijuana that contains important levels of THC. In addition, medical marijuana is also legal in the District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Currently, 18 states have legalized marijuana for recreational use by adults, including Washington DC, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.
The 18 states where marijuana is legal for recreational use include:
- Oregon
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Arizona
- Maine
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Montana
- New York
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- California
- New Jersey
- New York
- Nevada
What Quantity of THC Will a Drug Test Detect?
If you are faced with an employer drug test and you have recently used CBD products or marijuana, then you are probably worried about how much THC must be present to render a positive result.
- Urine: A premium urine marijuana test can detect amounts of THC in a urine sample if there are more than 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml).
- Blood: A THC blood test can detect concentrations that range from 1,2 or 5 ng/ml.
- Saliva: A THC test can detect the substance if it was used up to 72 hours before the saliva test. Often, the THC lasts longer in saliva if the use is heavy. The cut-off value for saliva is 4 ng/ml.
- Hair: Currently, there are no cut-off limits for THC. Usually, the cut-off is 1 picogram per milligram (pg/mg). The metabolites are easily detectable for up to 90 days in hair.
If You Use CBD Will THC Show in a Drug Test?
Yes, if you are using a full-spectrum CBD product that contains less than 0.3% then you still might test positive for THC in a drug test. The THC found in full-spectrum CBD can easily build up in your system and trigger a positive test result.
Individuals who want to use CBD but are worried about a drug test to detect THC should opt to use a broad-spectrum CBD, or CBD isolate which contains no THC.
Whether you use full-spectrum CBD gummies, topicals, vapes, or oils, CBD has become a favored legal supplement.
Does CBD Turn into THC When Ingested?
Typically, CBD does not turn into THC in the body. However, in some acidic conditions, the transformation of CBD to delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol can occur according to researchers. It should be noted that the transformation of CBD to THC after ingestion did not occur naturally but in a controlled clinical setting using artificial conditions.
Conclusion on How Much THC is in CBD
There are a lot of factors to consider when discovering how much THC is in CBD. Are you using hemp-derived CBD? Then the amount of THC should never exceed 0.3 percent. If you are using CBD that has been extracted from marijuana, then the level of THC might be significantly higher.
CBD does counter the psychoactive effects of THC, so even if the THC percentage is higher, you will probably not experience any sort of high when using CBD products.
