The simple answer to this question is no, cannabis oil and hemp CBD oil are not the same and understanding the differences between the two can be difficult. When performing a google search for “cannabis oil” the results almost always come back with hemp CBD product pages, but this only represents one aspect of cannabis oil as an umbrella term.
The biggest difference between the two products is the concentration of CBD and THC in the molecular make-up of the oil. One type of oil will produce a “high” and the other will not, although the applications for use tend to be similar.
Hemp CBD Oil
Hemp CBD oil, more commonly known as CBD oil, is a substance produced from hemp plants, which contains only trace amounts of THC. As CBD oil is still illegal for recreational purchase in Canada, this is a product that it is more available in the United States. Under federal laws, hemp CBD oils must contain less than .3% THC when being sold in the US market.
The US hemp CBD market is poised to reach $22 billion in sales by 2020 and Canada will likely follow suit and legalize recreational hemp-based CBD. Many Licensed Producers in the Canadian market are poised to produce hemp-based CBD products once CBD is legalized for recreational use. Until that time, hemp CBD oil remains unavailable on the legal Canadian market and is only available to individuals with a medical cannabis recommendation.
Pure hemp oil is another product available in health food stores and online, but the name can be deceptive. Hemp oil does not contain CBD or THC and is made from raw hemp seeds. Hemp oil is considered a health supplement which has numerous benefits that support overall health.
Effects of Hemp CBD Oil
As hemp CBD oil contains less than .3% THC, it is non-intoxicating and does not produce the “high” associated with traditional cannabis products. Hemp CBD oil can be taken at any time and will not alter cognition or motor coordination and is generally safe for use with most medications.
Many hemp CBD oil users prefer this form of medication to THC based applications as they can take this product anytime and not feel altered.
Cannabis Oil
Cannabis oil is produced from the cannabis sativa plant and includes higher concentrations of THC as compared to hemp CBD oil. Cannabis oils are legal to purchase in Canada’s recreational market as well as medically available through Licensed Producers (LPs). Cannabis oils are usually a combination of THC and CBD which are infused into a carrier oil, such as MCT oil and expressed as a ratio of THC to CBD, for instance 1:1, or 20:1. A cannabis oil that contains 50% THC and 50% CBD would be expressed as a 1:1 cannabis oil.
Effects of Cannabis Oil
Since cannabis oil contains THC it will produce a “high” that is typically associated with traditional cannabis use and its effects can be described as psychoactive. The effects of cannabis oil are highly dependent on the strain used to produce the product and will determine whether the user will feel euphoric and energized or calm and relaxed.
Cannabis oil made from predominantly sativa strains of cannabis will leave the user feeling energized, euphoric, creative, and uplifted whereas cannabis oil produced from indica dominant strains will have consumers feeling relaxed, sleepy, and calm.
Benefits of Hemp CBD Oil and Cannabis Oil
While hemp CBD oil and cannabis oil have completely different molecular make-ups and produce different effects, their medicinal application is similar. Empirical knowledge and subjective reports show that CBD and THC oils are appropriate for conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, irritable bowel disease, migraines, and many more.
CBD and THC from the oils act on the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) CB1 and CB2 receptors to affect chemical changes throughout the body. For many individuals with unwanted symptoms, cannabis oil or CBD oil may help return their system to homeostasis and reduce, or eliminate, the unwanted effects associated with an imbalanced system.
One of the biggest benefits to using oils as opposed to smoking cannabis is the reduction of unwanted side-effects from cannabis use, including coughing and irritated airways. Many consumers prefer the easy dosing of oils to traditional consumption methods as it is more precise and mess-free. Using cannabis oil is also discreet and it can be consumed anywhere, although consumers should be aware of unregulated and untested cannabis oil and hemp CBD oil which is sold on the black market.
Regulation is Key
As with most banned substances, there is a black market for cannabis oil and hemp CBD oil in Canada, which may lead to unsafe and improperly labeled products. It is crucial to your body’s health to consume products that are manufactured in a quality-controlled environment, such as those cannabis oils that come from LPs and legal stores. This will ensure that the product being consumed has been lab tested for potency as well as to ensure there are no contaminants in the oil.
Legalization of hemp CBD oil and cannabis oil has helped reduce the number of unregulated oils being sold, and consumers have the option to purchase lab tested, quality assured products, as opposed to whatever is available on the black market.
Get A Medical Recommendation
The safest bet for consumption of hemp CBD oil or cannabis oil is to get a medical recommendation from a Licensed Healthcare Professional. This will allow an individual to purchase lab tested products from a Licensed Producer (LP) and not worry about the safety of the product they are consuming. Call Apollo Cannabis Clinic today to set up an appointment with one of our doctors and discuss how medical cannabis oil may be of benefit.
