CBD vs THC - What's the Difference?

When the female Cannabis plant grows and flowers, those flowers are where the largest amount of cannabinoid compounds are found. There are hundreds of these cannabinoid compounds but the two major cannabinoids are CBD and THC meaning they exist in the highest concentration.

Each one has been shown to have different potential qualities for us humans.

Here is a breakdown to help you learn a little bit more about them.

THC is Tetrahydrocannabinol and there are several types of THC. Typically, when people are mentioning THC, they’re talking about Delta-9 THC, which is the compound responsible for the psychotropic response - “the high” - that people expect from High THC Cannabis. High THC Cannabis plants can have a concentration of 15 - 30% Delta-9 THC. Also called “marijuana”, this particular type of plant and the products made with it are only available in select states.

CBD is Cannabidiol, the other major cannabinoid. High CBD Cannabis (hemp), is available throughout the United States thanks to the update to the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill. In Texas, high CBD hemp (like what we grow at Power Biopharms) and the products made with it are available for consumers. Cannabidiol is one of many extractable non-psychotropic cannabinoids that have beneficial properties on their own.In the hemp (High CBD Cannabis) plant, the concentration of CBD is anywhere from 15 - 25% in a crop.

Unlike it’s highly-regulated sibling, High THC Cannabis, hemp must have a THC concentration of .3% or less or the crop is destroyed by the DEA. All products made from the Cannabis family of plants are required to pass 3rd party testing and showcase the results in documents known as COA’s.

Consumers throughout the United States choose to consume CBD for a variety of reasons. While some have found it to help them feel more relaxed or able to sleep, others enjoy it to ease sore muscles and joints.

There are different types of Cannabidiol-based products and the delivery system will make a difference in the result. Here are some things to remember:

• CBD Tinctures and Oils are the most popular. Sold with droppers, the CBD plant extract is mixed with a base oil (like MCT or Hemp Seed) and it is enjoyed sublingually (under the tongue) where the compounds soak into the membranes. Typically results are enjoyed within minutes and up to 2-4 hours.
• CBD Gummies and Treats are another very popular choice. They’re easily enjoyed with a variety of flavor options and understandable serving sizes. A difference with edibles is that they take a bit longer to process, as they need to pass digestion. It can take up to an hour for any results to be enjoyed so it is a good idea to wait a while before consuming more.
• CBD Balms and topicals are often a first choice product for those new to hemp CBD items because the Cannabidiol does not get into the bloodstream. Topicals will stay in the immediate areas that they are applied and aid in directly targeting muscles or joints. Lotions, masks and other skin care items do well with CBD, too, as it has been shown to be potentially beneficial to skin that is aggravated.
• CBD Flower is just as it sounds - the flower as nature made her. The dried flower is often smoked in different ways and some will choose to make their own tea or infusions with the flower at home. Either way, it is the most from-the-ground experience and a favorite of many who enjoy CBD. 

Whichever delivery method you choose is going to have a lot to do with desired result and what you’re using it for.

An important thing to remember:

Hemp seed oil is not the same as CBD oil. Hemp seed oil is chock full of great benefits like being an easily digestible oil and a near-ideal blend of Omega 6 and Omega 3, but the seeds don’t have the CBD. The plants must grow and flower to make CBD. The good news is, from the seed to the flower, the plant has a different set of amazing things for us to enjoy and they do go well together.

Once the flowers are grown, cut, and dried, they go through an extraction process to get the precious cannabinoids out. Once out of the flowers, they can be used in many types of products in various spectrums. Companies throughout the United States extract high CBD hemp using everything from solvents to CO2. They can even isolate the Cannabidiol compound by itself and sell it in tubs of powder for companies to make CBD products with.

At Power Biopharms, we don’t do it that way.

We grow our high CBD hemp indoors and in small batches. We do this to keep a consistent environment for optimal results, no matter what the Texas weather may decide. We are also able to watch our plants every step of the way and craft grow for the highest quality result.

Once our plants reach perfect timing, they’re harvested and dried. We, then, extract the amazing compounds out without the use of solvents or gasses. Instead, we press our flower in-house, squeezing out the thick rosin of essential goods. Every step of the way, we choose to keep our products as close to nature’s intention as possible.

The resulting gooey rosin is thick and rich in color and it is the full-spectrum base that we use to hand make our oils, gummies and balms with.

No matter which Power Biopharms product you choose, you know exactly where the CBD has come from. If you’re looking for a farm-to-door CBD experience, check out our latest options in our shop.