Do CBD infused beverages contain THC? Let's find out more.
CBD drinks are a growing segment of the alcohol-free drinks market. We are rediscovering botanical ingredients which humans have used for thousands of years. Hemp and cannabis are not new to civilization, but we are indeed using them in a new way.
CBD drinks provide a mellow alternative to alcohol, minus the hangover. But there's one question on most people's minds: Do CBD drinks contain THC? The answer is that it depends. Some do, some don't. Whether or not a CBD drink contains THC will depend on the amount of cannabinoids in the product. It will also depend on how they are extracted from hemp or cannabis plants.
There are three types of CBD drink products:
- Full Spectrum CBD: Contains all 100+ phytocannabinoids found in cannabis (cannabis sativa), including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is responsible for getting people high
- Broad Spectrum CBD: Contains all 100+ phytocannabinoids but does not include psychoactive THC
- Isolate: Contains only one cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD).
Bottom Line up front: Do CBD infused beverages Contain THC?
The answer depends on the manufacturers. If the products are made from hemp-derived CBD, there's unlikely to be any notable amount of THC.
However, if the drinks are made from other types of cannabis or marijuana, then the likelihood of them containing THC skyrockets. But don't be afraid- there's a straightforward thing you can do to avoid THC-containing drinks: Check the third-party lab results.
These results will show you everything you need to know. You can check the THC content and other indicators that let you know whether the CBD drink is one of the 'good ones.
What is CBD?
CBD is a chemical compound found in cannabis and hemp plants. But, its effects differ from other compounds found in the plant.
The psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant is called THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
The marijuana plant contains more THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana, than CBD (cannabidiol), producing a "high" feeling when consumed. Hemp has very low levels of THC and high concentrations of CBD—so you won't get stoned if you use hemp-derived products! Whew!
What's the difference between CBD and THC?
CBD is not psychoactive like its sibling cannabinoid. Researchers suspect it interacts with different receptors. Many people find that while CBD doesn't make them high, it does help them feel more at ease, relaxed, and even focused.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary chemical responsible for marijuana's euphoric effects. It's also what makes you feel "stoned." The main difference between CBD and THC is that CBD does not have psychoactive properties.
This means it doesn't get you high, but it can still positively affect your mental health. It's also responsible for triggering cravings and anxiety, which is why many people who use cannabis to manage chronic pain prefer CBD.
What about CBD drinks?
The amount of CBD present in drinks depends on the brand and size of the bottle, and can range. But do CBD drinks contain THC?
Well, you need to ask the following questions when finding out whether a CBD drink has THC in it:
- What does the label say?
- Where does the CBD come from? (Hemp or from a different cannabis sativa plant)
- What do the third-party lab results say?
But the key here is that whatever the label says, you need to compare it to the third-party lab results. This will highlight whether or not you can trust what the brand says. If there are discrepancies, there could be other discrepancies lurking. So, your best bet is to avoid that brand.
What if the label or website information says less than 0.3% THC? It would be best if you cross-check that with the lab results. This is the only way you can be sure that your CBD beverage does not contain THC.
Another Question: Which type of CBD does the product have?
This is a pertinent question when choosing a CBD drink, especially if you want to avoid THC.
CBD infused beverages are made with three different kinds of CBD. This is important because a full spectrum CBD product might contain THC (if state law permits it).
Here's a quick rundown of the three different types of CBD:
CBD Isolate: This type only contains CBD- no other terpenes, flavonoids, or cannabinoids. It is an isolated extract of CBD.
Broad Spectrum: This type of CBD is made with all the plant compounds except for THC. It will contain terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. If you get a non-hemp-derived CBD product, it could contain broad-spectrum CBD. But always double-check the third-party lab results to make sure.
Full Spectrum: This CBD will contain all the other natural plant compounds, including THC. However, the THC level will typically not go higher than 0.3%. You can find > 0.3 THC-containing beverages, but only in the state's that permit higher levels of the psychoactive compound.
If you have a hemp-derived product, it is not uncommon to find the label will state full spectrum CBD extract. Again, always compare the given product information with the third-party lab results.
Do CBD Infused Beverages Contain THC? Is it ok to have less than 0.3% THC?
What is this 0.3 threshold all about?
If you're familiar with cannabis law, then you probably know that the federal legal limit for THC in CBD products is 0.3%.
The 0.3% cap on THC levels is meaningful, so let's find out what this percentage means.
What Is The THC Threshold?
The 0.3% threshold is used as a classification marker for distinguishing hemp and marijuana in many legal definitions.
The federal government regards products containing less than 0.3 % THC as legal agricultural hemp and those with more than that level as illegal marijuana.
Some states have defined hemp as cannabis with a THC level of less than 0.3%. Marijuana is any cannabis with more significant amounts of the cannabinoid.
Fun fact:
The above definition can be a little misleading or confusing. This is because hemp and marijuana are actually two subspecies of the same plant.
Only hemp that has less than 0.3% THC by weight can be used to produce CBD drinks or other products. This is according to federal law. In states that legally permit THC, there may be other laws regarding products with THC levels higher than 0.3%.
CENTR CBD offers third party results on all their products, so you can see exactly how much CBD (and how little THC) you’re getting. Check out their range of CBD drinks today.
