How Much THC is in CBD Oil?

How Much THC is in CBD Oil?

If you’re like most people who are new to CBD, then chances are, you may have concerns about the amount of THC that’s in CBD oil. And while some people may let this concern hold them back from trying CBD, they really shouldn’t. All it takes is some time and research to learn all there is to know about the amount of THC that’s in CBD oil. If you’re unsure of where to begin, then our simple primer will be your perfect starting point. 


CBD vs. THC

Sadly, all that some people know about THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is that it has psychoactive properties that cause users to feel a euphoric “high” sensation. And in some cases, they are correct. But what they don’t know is that there’s a big difference in the amount of THC that’s in marijuana-based products versus hemp-based products. Moreover, the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill caused the popularity of CBD products to skyrocket, which in turn led to an explosion of CBD brands, leaving some new users to be even more confused about CBD products in general.  

THC Content of Marijuana vs Hemp

The THC content in the hemp and marijuana plants differ greatly. Even though both are species of the cannabis plant, the hemp plant has been bred to naturally contain 0.3% or less THC, while the marijuana plant contains well over that amount. Most CBD products that are sold and purchased in the United States are derived from hemp. As we stated earlier, hemp-based CBD products are federally legal throughout the United States thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Because the THC level is so low in hemp-based products, there’s no way that anyone can get “high” from using them. Conversely, there are some states where marijuana-derived CBD is both medically and/or recreationally legal. These types of products contain high levels of THC and will evoke feelings of euphoria. 

The cannabis plant can have high amounts of both CBD and THC. However, the specific genetics of the plant species — hemp or marijuana — dictates whether it will have high CBD levels and low THC levels or high THC levels and low CBD levels. In order to please CBD customers who prefer hemp-based CBD and those who are partial to marijuana-based products, some dispensaries are carrying an array of CBD oils with different CBD to THC ratios. This enables customers to select an oil that will best meet their unique health and wellness needs. Along with knowing the parameters of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD users should also know what the CBD or marijuana laws are for their particular state of residence. 

What Percentage of THC is in CBD Oil?

A common question that people ask is, “how much THC is in CBD oil?” The simple response is that there’s not really one solid answer to that question. The truth is, it all depends on the type of CBD oil you’re interested in. 

Full Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum oil contains all of the phytonutrients, terpenes, and cannabinoids of the hemp plant. It also contains at or below the legal federal limit of 0.3% THC. So while it is the most robust in terms of cannabinoid presence, it is still very much within safe guidelines for THC consumption that will not create any psychoactive effects.

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum oils contain the same components as full-spectrum oils except that all of the THC has been filtered out of it. This is a great option for those who want to experience the entourage effect but do not want to ingest and THC. This is an effect that happens when all the component parts of the hemp plant are allowed to work together with your endocannabinoid system. The more cannabinoids present, the more likely it is that the entourage effect will enact.

CBD Isolate

Lastly, CBD isolate oils contain only 99% pure CBD and nothing more. In this type of oil, all of the hemp plant’s parts have been filtered out through a special process. This ensures that you are dealing with only cannabidiol (CBD) and none of the other cannabinoids.  As you can see, the type of CBD you choose will determine how much THC there is in it. 

Somebody holding two full spectrum CBD oil bottles side-by-side for comparison

How Long Does THC from CBD Oil Stay in Your System?

It is generally believed that cannabinoids like THC stay in your system for about 5-10 days after consuming them. Some people say it could be flushed out as quickly as 3.5 days, but to be on the conservative side you could estimate about 10 days. 

Will Using CBD Oil Show Up on a Drug Test?

CBD users have specific reasons why they choose the oils that they do. For example, if they have concerns about THC, or are subjected to routine drug tests, then oftentimes they will opt for broad spectrum or CBD isolate oils. Full-spectrum oils cause some people to worry because they have the potential to create false negatives on drug tests. Having said that, the body is able to better engage with all of the components in full-spectrum and broad spectrum oils through the entourage effect. During this phenomenon, all of the cannabinoids in those oil varieties work in a synergistic manner with one other to boost each other’s positive properties while lowering their negative ones. 

Are CBD and THC Legal?

CBD is federally legal if it comes from hemp plants, which have 0.3% or less THC content. So therefore it's legal to consume those very small amounts of THC from the hemp plant. Now it gets a little trickier when you talk about CBD and THC that come from the marijuana plant. That species has not been given federally clearance the way that the hemp plant has. So if you are taking CBD or THC from a marijuana plant it may or may not be legal depending on the state you're in. 

If that feels like a lot of thinking involved in choosing your cannabinoid products, you could just opt for hemp-derived full spectrum CBD oil that will have THC in it. That way there aren't a lot of legal worries or unnecessary extra stresses!

How Can I Avoid THC in CBD Oil?

Avoid THC in your CBD oil by either opting for a broad spectrum product or going for a CBD isolate offering. Both of these will supply you with CBD, and neither one of them will have THC.

What are Some Things to Consider When Buying CBD Oil?

In buying a clean and potent CBD oil, you should select products from brands that are highly reputable and that care about being transparent with its customers. Additionally, these brands should always use an independent lab to routinely test its products. Those results need to be easy for customers to find and read. It’s not enough to go on brand reputation alone. You should also know exactly what you’re potentially putting into your body, and lab reports will tell you just that. Laboratory reports give a detailed picture about the purity and the potency of every CBD product that the brand has tested. Third-party labs also test for cannabinoid potency, terpene potency, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and other contaminants. Additionally, this is also how you can confirm that your CBD oil is at or below the legal limit of 0.3% THC. 

Colorful boxes of FAB CBD oils lined up next to each other on a green backdrop

Some other considerations to think about when buying CBD oil are: 

  • The Brand’s Extraction Method: Out of all of the possible ways to extract CBD from the hemp plant, the CO2 extraction method is the cleanest and most preferred within the industry. This process uses pressurized carbon dioxide to extract CBD and other cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients from the hemp plant. 
  • Product Ingredients: There’s a lot to be said for reading labels. When you spend some time reading the labels of different brands, you will be able to tell right away whether the brand used harmful chemicals, byproducts, fillers, and other unnatural ingredients. Reputable brands, like FAB CBD, use only high-quality ingredients to craft all of their products
  • Oil Potency: Make sure you’re buying the proper potency for your health goals and wellness needs. Lower oil strengths like 300mg or 600mg are great for general health and wellness, while higher strengths like 1200mg and 2400mg are perfect for any tougher issues you’re trying to rectify. FAB CBD’s full-spectrum CBD oil comes in strengths of 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg, and in refreshing, bright, and smooth flavors like mint, citrus, berry, vanilla, and natural. 
  • CBD Oil Variety: Pay close attention to the type of CBD oil you’re buying. Double check that you are buying a full-spectrum oil, if that’s what you are looking for. If not, then confirm that you’re buying a broad spectrum or CBD isolate. The point here is to read the label carefully to make sure you’re getting what you’re looking for.

Final Thoughts: Be an Educated Consumer

A woman sitting on her deck looks at a few CBD oil boxes

Both the hemp and marijuana plant contain THC. And while the marijuana plant naturally has large amounts of THC in it, the hemp plant was bred to contain very low levels. Since all CBD has to legally be hemp-derived and contain 0.3% or less THC in order to be sold within the United States, there’s no way for anyone to feel a euphoric “high” while using these products. Full-spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oils are the best types of oils to go with if you are looking to support your wellness because of their ability to evoke the entourage effect. And while it may be great to have a wealth of brands to choose from, you should only go with reputable brands that care about transparency and that regularly test their products by using a third-party lab.