Will a little THC ruin my CBD?

Will a little THC ruin my CBD?

A theory on microdosing Delta-9 THC

Lawmakers have had questions about delta-9 THC for decades. While more states have begun opening up to legal marijuana, there's no sign the federal government will change its stance on delta-9 anytime soon. According to the DEA, delta-9 is a "Schedule I" drug, meaning it has zero presumed therapeutic value.

Understandably, new CBD customers are often worried about seeing even trace amounts of delta-9 in their products. If the DEA considers delta-9 to be a "Schedule I" drug, does that mean THC is harmful? If so, why does full-spectrum CBD oil contain some delta-9? In addition, why are more and more people demanding CBD oil with the highest legal content of delta-9 THC?

There is still much debate about the science of delta-9 THC, but this article should help CBD customers make an informed decision.

Can a small amount of Delta-9 lower the effects of CBD oil?

According to the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, the delta-9 THC content of legal CBD oil in the United States must be ≤ 0.3%. The reason lawmakers are giving farmers this leeway is that eliminating THC from cannabis strains is challenging. Of course, hemp naturally contains low levels of THC, but it's unlikely to be zero. A percentage of 0.3 is convenient for cannabis growers, manufacturers, and extractors.

This begs the question: Will a delta-9 THC of ≤ 0.3% have a negative impact on CBD customers? Most studies on this issue have shown that 0.3% of THC is too low to result in any "high" effect. Unless patients are highly allergic to THC, they are unlikely to experience any severe side effects when taking CBD oil that contains trace amounts of this cannabinoid.

Does microdosing Delta-9 THC have positive potential?

As implied in the introduction, some customers actively seek CBD oils with the greatest legal THC percentage. Why? New research suggests that small doses of THC may have positive benefits. 

For example, a clinical study from the University of Illinois examined the effects of THC on people in stress-induced situations. Interestingly, those who took low amounts of delta-9 THC seemed to have greater stress reduction than those who took higher THC. These findings led the researchers to conclude that the therapeutic potential of THC may be dose-dependent. 

Moreover, many in the cannabis community today believe in the "entourage effect." In short, the theory suggests that cannabinoids work best in their natural state, which includes trace amounts of delta-9 THC. There's still a lot of debate about the validity of the "entourage effect," but enough anecdotal reports suggest it may be a real phenomenon.

Check THC levels in CBD products with real testedCBD!

Some CBD customers like trace amounts of delta-9 THC, but others want nothing to do with this cannabinoid. Thankfully, there are different CBD concentrations on the market today to suit everyone's preferences. Those who want ≤ 0.3% delta-9 THC can choose full-spectrum CBD oil, while those who want zero THC can purchase CBD separation powder or broad-spectrum CBD extract.

However, remember to check third-party lab tests for your CBD products instead of relying on advertising. Only a lab-validated analytical certificate will allow you to know the precise delta-9 concentration in a cannabis tincture, food, or oil. 

If you would like to learn more about reviewing CBD brands, please visit Real Tested CBD's website. There are dozens of unbiased CBD and delta-8 THC reviews on our website to help customers find legal and safe cannabis products.