CBD is big business these days and many people choose to vape, eat or ingest CBD products for recreation as well as to help with anxiety, chronic pain and even skin conditions. As a new product it is no surprise that there are still questions often asked about CBD. Have a look at this CBD FAQ for some of them and we’ve put together a few own.

Is CBD Cannabis?

This is one that needs clearing up! CBD – cannabidiol – is a compound extracted from the cannabis plant. It is not weed as you know it, but when you smoke weed it is in there. It is one of perhaps 100 compounds in the plant and is reported by many people to have calming and pain-relieving properties. Specifically, CBD that is legal for sale in the USA must be extracted from a strain of cannabis known as industrial hemp. This is now widely grown for purpose. So, CBD is not cannabis, but it is taken from the cannabis plant.

Does CBD Make You High?

Taking CBD products will give you a relaxing sensation, but you will not get the ‘high’ that comes with smoking weed. This is because CBD products – by law – can only contain very small amounts of THC (up to 0.3% in the USA). THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is another of the compounds in the cannabis plant, and it is the one that gets you high. As there is none or an insignificant amount in CBD products you will not get high.

What are Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum?

These are terms you will see on bottles and packages of CBD products, and they refer to the ingredients that are in that particular product. A full-spectrum CBD product is made from CBD oil in which the extraction process has left all of the compounds of the hemp plant in the mix. This includes the THC up to the legal limit. This gives the user the full effect of cannabis but for the high. In broad spectrum products some but not all the compounds remain, and there is generally no THC at all. There are also products called ‘isolates’; these are made from pure CBD oil with no other compounds present.

Is CBD Legal?

CBD can be sold in all but a few states in the USA legally, as long as it complies to the <0.3% THC rule. There are a few states in which it is not permitted, so it is certainly worth checking out where CBD is legal in the USA before you go out and buy it. There are quite serious fines for persons overlooking the state rules, so better to be safe.

Where Should I Buy CBD?

We recommend that you look for a reputable online retailer for convenience and for a wider choice of products. Such an outlet will be well-known by users so ask around and you’ll get recommendations. You’ll find online retailers to be helpful and knowledgeable, and they’ll want to grab you as a regular customer. If you are lucky enough to have a high street retailer close by then go and see them and strike up a relationship with them. Always ensure you are buying from a licensed seller and that the ingredients and origins of them are clearly marked.

Is CBD Safe?

There have been horror stories doing the rounds about vaping and CBD products causing lung problems. In fact, there were a number of cases not long ago, but they were proven to be linked with black market illegal vaping products. CBD is a natural organic product grown and harvested under controlled conditions, and usually third-party tested for purity and potency (something you should always check for) so that when it hits the market it is perfectly safe to use.

How Much Should I Take?

That depends on the strength of the product you are using and how used to the substance you are. Follow the manufacturer instructions, start at the lowest and see how you feel. If you think you can take more, try it – but bit by bit! The trick is to be sensible, and to enjoy your CBD when you feel it will do you good.