CBD infused edibles are a great way folks can experiment with CBD, especially if you’re not keen on smoking cannabis. They’re widely accessible, fairly budget-friendly, and are as discreet as it gets. Did we mention they also come in just about every form imaginable? You can get 25MG PER GUMMY and even CBD drinks nowadays, although the most popular CBD edible tends to be gummies.
Tasty though they may be, not all CBD gummies are created equal. Many don’t contain the ingredients listed on the label, a phenomenon that’s even inspired the FDA to take notice.
So how are we supposed to separate the studs from the duds? With this handy dandy guide to purchasing CBD gummies, of course. Read on for valuable information including the difference between full spectrum vs. isolate, what to look for on labels, and how the hell to figure out the dosage, once and for all.
Getting to know your cannabis
Knowing what kind of cannabis you’re consuming is the best way to determine how it might affect you.
Full Spectrum Vs. Isolate
Those seeking to experience the full therapeutic benefits of CBD should always opt to purchase full spectrum edibles. The term ‘full spectrum’ is used to denote the fact that all of the plant’s cannabinoids have been preserved in the final product. This includes a trace amount of THC, which some makers say contributes to the entourage effect.
Cannabinoids work together synergistically thanks to a property known as “the entourage effect”. This property suggests that the unique interactions between cannabinoids found in full spectrum products confer the greatest possible health benefits.
An isolate, on the other hand, is pretty much what its name implies. It’s a lab-extracted singular cannabinoid, usually THC or CBD, that comes in a concentrated crystalline form or white powder. Isolates are popular with some groups as they’re completely devoid of THC; however, since they’re also devoid of other cannabinoids, isolates tend to be less potent in terms of therapeutic effect.
You’ll also see broad spectrum, which is similar to full spectrum except that the THC (which will be tiny to begin with in a hemp product) is removed.
So what does this mean at the dispensary counter? It means that a full-spectrum product can feel a lot more potent than a larger dose of an isolate product. This is why the first thing you should look for on a label is whether or not the product is made with a full spectrum extract or CBD isolate.
Hemp. Vs. Hemp Seed Oil
What’s the difference between hemp and hemp seed oil? Or hemp vs. regular ol’ CBD, for that matter?
Hemp flower and CBD flower are the same thing. The only difference is one—hemp—has a THC content that’s federally regulated and cannot contain more than 0.2% THC. CBD flower, on the other hand, can also contain small amounts of THC.
Hemp extract, then, is the CBD rich oil made from dried hemp flower. This means the real deal CBD may be listed as ‘CBD (Cannabidiol)’, ‘hemp oil’, ‘full spectrum hemp’ or even ‘PCR (phytocannabinoid rich) hemp rich extract’. You may sometimes encounter hemp CBD in its least beneficial form: as an isolate (‘hemp CBD isolate’).
