What’s the difference between CBD and THC?

CBD and THC are both associated with cannabis. While they have a lot in common though, they shouldn’t be confused. Indeed, CBD and THC are very different when it comes to their effects on your body – and their legality. Learn more about the similarities and differences between CBD and THC in this guide.

What CBD and THC have in common

Cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are both cannabinoids, which means they are active compounds from the cannabis plant. There are more than 80 cannabinoids found in cannabis, but THC and CBD are the two main compounds – and the most commonly known ones.

Both CBD and THC produce their effects by interacting with the endocannabinoid system present in the human body, which participates in regulating activities like appetite, sleep and pain response. Cannabinoids affect how cells communicate in the endocannabinoid system and can help regulate these functions.

The difference between CBD and THC

While CBD and THC share the same origins as cannabinoids, they also differ in many ways, including their legality.

Marijuana vs hemp

Marijuana and hemp are two types of cannabis plants. While they’re from the same family though, their CBD and THC contents are different – which makes one legal in many countries, while the other is mostly illegal. Legally, marijuana is defined as a cannabis plant containing more than 0.3% THC, while hemp would contain 0.3% or less. That’s why THC tends to be associated with marijuana, while CBD tends to be associated with hemp as quality CBD oil is mostly extracted from legally grown hemp farms.

Psychoactivity

The main difference between CBD and THC is their psychoactivity. Indeed, THC is the chemical that’s responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis. It’s the reason why marijuana is classified as a drug. On the other hand, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effect. It can offer all the benefits of cannabis for anxiety, insomnia and pain relief, without getting you high. That’s why you can take your CBD in the morning before work without risking any uncontrollable giggle or other drug-related effects. CBD is also known to reduce the negative psychoactive effects of THC.

Legality

Legality is an important point when looking at the differences between CBD and THC. Because of its psychoactive properties, THC is considered a drug and is not legal in the UK. CBD, however, is legal in the UK and many other countries around the world. As long as they don’t contain THC, it’s legal to purchase and consume CBD products. That makes Cali Greens totally legal in the UK: we extract our CBD from sustainable and legally grown hemp farms in Colorado, USA with no trace of THC.

Is there THC in CBD?

As CBD and THC are both extracted from the cannabis plant, there can be trace amounts of THC in some CBD products, although not enough to get you high. In the UK, CBD products are strictly controlled to make sure they don’t contain any THC, as those would be considered illegal. In some other countries like the United States, THC levels of up to 0.3% can be tolerated in CBD.

Now you know the difference between CBD and THC, discover our CBD products extracted from sustainable, legally grown hemp farms.