Why Should You Be Wary of "Full Spectrum" CBD? | Bona Voluntate

 We've been getting a lot of questions lately about the term "full spectrum."

The goal of this blog post is to discuss what "Full Spectrum Distillate" means, what it does not mean, and some of the issues associated with its use by companies selling THC-Free or CBD products containing less than 0.3 percent THC oil online. We're hoping to clear things up. We believe in education and complete transparency at Bona Voluntate.

So let's talk about it.

While there is still much to learn about cannabinoids like CBD, the term "full spectrum" has recently gained popularity on the internet. The term "Full Spectrum Distillate" implies that either the finished product, such as a tincture, or the concentrated oil used in the manufacture of said tincture contains a diverse range of cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, CBN, and so on.

CBD isolate is typically in the form of a crystalline powder.

CBD isolate is the polar opposite of a Full Spectrum Distillate product because all of the other plant compounds have been chemically removed. Only 98+ percent CBD remains. CBD isolate contains no THC, other cannabinoids, or terpenes, which are aromatic scent compounds. A recent study in Israel found that CBD isolate products are less effective in terms of medicine. The "entourage effect" refers to the idea that CBD works better when combined with other cannabinoids and terpenes.

Our products must contain less than 0.3 percent THC in order for Bona Voluntate to legally sell CBD oil products online. According to government regulations, if a product contains no more than 0.3 percent THC, it is "hemp-derived," because hemp can legally contain 0.3 percent THC or less. CBD-rich hemp, by the way, is technically cannabis. Remember, the THC concentration is everything!

Full-spectrum CBD oil is viscous and contains a diverse array of cannabinoids.

So here's the snag: While high resin CBD "hemp" flowers have less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight, their Full Spectrum Distillate extract has more than 0.3 percent THC. So, what causes the THC to rise when the oil is extracted? When CBD-rich resin is concentrated into oil, the 0.3 percent THC is also concentrated, and the oil frequently has a THC concentration greater than 2%! The same is true for CBD. High CBD cannabis flowers can contain more than 10% CBD, and when extracted into oil, the CBD content rises to more than 50%. A true Distillate Full Spectrum will typically have a cannabinoid profile that includes more than 2% THC, 1% CBG, and so on. Because of its higher THC levels, true Distillate Full Spectrum should only be available at a legal dispensary. CBD to THC ratios that are commonly used are 1:1, 24:1, and 30:1. Wholesale Full Spectrum CBD is also known as RSO ("Rick Simpson Oil"), FECO ("Full Extract Cannabis Oil"), and "Whole-Plant" extract.

To convert this "hot" or illegal CBD oil back into legal CBD "hemp-extract," the oil must go through a secondary extraction process that reduces the THC to legal levels – 0.3 percent THC or less. Unfortunately, volatile terpenes and other minor cannabinoids are lost during this secondary refinement process, calling the "Distillate Full Spectrum" claims made by many online companies into question. There is currently no CBD-rich hemp varietal with zero percent THC. This means that all CBD oil produced for legal hemp products must be THC-mitigated in some way. To summarize, all true Full Spectrum Distillate is refined and processed to some extent, unless online companies are selling illegal products with THC levels greater than 0.3 percent THC.

There is currently no governing body that governs the use of the term "full spectrum." This is problematic because businesses may employ the term as a marketing ploy. If they are using CBD oil or distillate, these companies should call their CBD products "broad spectrum." Companies that use CBD isolate instead of oil should not use the term "Distillate Full Spectrum" to describe their product (s).

One last point to mention is the dilution rates of so-called Wholesale Full Spectrum CBD. CBD oil extract is typically diluted and infused into a variety of products such as tinctures, capsules, balms, and so on. If a CBD oil containing no more than 0.3 percent THC is truly "Distillate Full Spectrum," by the time the oil is diluted into a carrier oil, the THC concentration drops to the point where it is "non-detected" (ND) on laboratory tests. Many companies even claim that if you use their so-called Wholesale Full Spectrum CBD products, you will not test "dirty" for THC in a drug test. The final THC levels found in infused products are so low that it is unlikely that the THC contributes to any synergistic effect with the CBD. As a result, calling them "full spectrum" is deceptive and inaccurate. A true Wholesale Full Spectrum CBD is best found at a cannabis dispensary or made at home with home-grown cannabis.