Many people think CBD oil and cannabis oil are the same. That is understandable, because both come from the cannabis plant. Even so, there are important differences. In this article we explain what cannabis oil is exactly, what the differences and similarities are with CBD oil and what to look out for when buying cannabis oil and CBD products.
What exactly is cannabis oil?
Cannabis oil is really a collective name for all oils made from the cannabis plant. So it can be either oil with a lot of THC (the compound that gets you ‘high’) or oil that is mainly rich in CBD. In fact, our CBD oil is a form of cannabis oil too, but one that has been developed specifically around CBD.
Different kinds of cannabis oil
We can roughly divide cannabis oil into two categories:
- THC-rich cannabis oil: contains a high percentage of THC and is sold in coffee shops
- CBD-rich cannabis oil (CBD oil): contains mainly CBD and is legally available from reliable sellers, such as chemists, wholesalers and specialist webshops like Dutch Balance.
Besides these two most common forms of cannabis oil, there are also a few very interesting kinds that are becoming more popular:
- Cannabigerol oil (CBG oil)
- Cannabinol oil (CBN oil)
- Cannabichromene oil (CBC oil)
The difference between THC and CBD
The difference between the two main kinds of cannabis oil therefore comes down to the differences between THC and CBD. THC and CBD are both cannabinoids: compounds that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. There are important differences between these two compounds, though:
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
THC is the psychoactive constituent of cannabis. It causes a ‘high’ feeling and can give side effects such as anxiety, paranoia and impaired coordination. THC-rich cannabis oil is illegal in the Netherlands (though tolerated in small amounts).
Cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD is not psychoactive: it does not get you ‘high’. It is legal, as long as the percentage of THC stays below 0.05%. You can read more about the differences between CBD and THC in this article.
Why do people choose CBD oil?
More and more people deliberately choose CBD oil instead of THC-rich cannabis oil. The most important reasons are:
- CBD oil is legal
- It does not get you high
- In 2018 the WHO concluded that CBD has no potential for dependence
What should you look out for when buying CBD oil?
Because CBD oil is a form of cannabis oil, it is extra important to pay attention to quality. Look out for the following points in particular:
Buy only from reliable sellers
Choose CBD oil from brands such as Dutch Hemp and Wedihemp, which have every batch tested externally and can produce the test results. These tests check not only the THC content, but also whether the oil contains no harmful substances such as pesticides, heavy metals or moulds. That matters because hemp plants take up all substances from the soil, good and bad alike. By choosing brands that have their products tested externally, you know what is in the bottle. If in doubt, you can always request the test results from us.
Check the THC content
Always check whether the THC content is below 0.05%. At Dutch Balance you can choose from:
- Full spectrum CBD oil: contains a minimal percentage of THC (< 0.05%)
- Broad spectrum CBD oil: entirely THC-free (0.00% THC)
Tips for using CBD oil
Unlike THC-rich cannabis oil, you can simply use CBD oil during the day. Start low, for example with 2 to 3 drops of 5% CBD oil, and stick to the dose on the label. Do you not like using drops of CBD under your tongue? Then consider another form, such as capsules or edibles. Want to know more about how best to use CBD oil? Then have a read of our special article on this subject.
Frequently asked questions about CBD oil and cannabis oil
What does CBD cannabis oil do?
We do not say what CBD does for you: no health claims for CBD have been approved in the European Union. What we can say is that cannabis oil is an umbrella term, and CBD oil is the form with mostly CBD and virtually no THC. So it will not make you high, and legal CBD oil stays below 0.05% THC.
Can you get addicted to CBD oil?
No. The World Health Organization concluded in 2018 that CBD has no potential for addiction. That is an important difference from THC, which people can become addicted to. Not addictive is not the same as risk-free, though: CBD can cause side effects and can interact with medicines.
What do you feel after taking CBD oil?
It will not make you high. CBD is not psychoactive, and legal CBD oil contains less than 0.05% THC. People respond differently to CBD, and you may notice little or nothing. We make no further promises, because no health claims for CBD have been approved in the EU.
What should you not combine with CBD oil?
CBD can affect how certain medicines work, such as blood thinners, antidepressants and heart medication. If you take medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use CBD without consulting your doctor.
Want to know more about the differences between cannabis oil and CBD oil?
Although CBD oil is technically a form of cannabis oil, there are important differences from the THC-rich cannabis oil from the coffee shop. By choosing quality CBD oil from reliable sellers you buy a tested and legal product.
Do you still have questions about the difference between CBD oil and cannabis oil? Or would you like advice on which product suits you best? Then feel free to get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
