It’s a matchup to end all other matchups of modern times, like that leprechaun guy against the world and probably a YouTuber at this very moment (kidding). THC vs CBD. While this post may seem to pit these two bits of bud against each other, it’ll actually highlight how dependent they are, too.
THC and CBD come from cannabis
Yup. You knew it. Both THC (that is, delta 9 THC, not delta 8) and CBD are two predominant cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa or the hemp plant. If you want to get even more specific, THC and CBD both break down from CBG, or “The Mother of All Cannabinoids.”
However, high-THC varieties of hemp plants are known as marijuana, of course. CBD exists in large concentrations in just about every hemp plant, hence its abundance. It also helps significantly that CBD is federally legal (along with delta 8) — but more on that in a second.
Delta 9 THC is not federally legal (yet)
Huuuge yet. The issue of legality is a big part of what makes CBD such an attractive option for people. In fact, THC and CBD offer a lot of the same potential therapeutic benefits for both mind and body. They’re so similar — and work so well together — they create something called the entourage effect when taken in concert.
Outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp derivatives are legal provided they have less than 0.3% delta 9 THC content. Notice how we threw that number “nine” in there again: it was very intentional. As you may know, another cannabinoid, delta 8 THC, an isomer of delta 9 THC, qualifies as federally legal.
THC is psychoactive
Again, probably not a shocking fact, but it’s always worth discussing. Delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC are both psychoactive. However, if you imagine a spectrum, CBD falls to one end. CBD is not psychoactive, that is, if it contains less than 0.3% THC content as it should.
Then, you have delta 8 — less psychoactive than delta 9 THC, but certainly nothing to sneeze at. (You shouldn’t do that anyway, it’s rather rude.) Last, but obviously the most psychoactive, we have delta 9 THC.
There are tons of products available
Well, let’s qualify this a bit before we quantify it. There are tons of cannabis products “available.” However, to have them really be available available, you have to have the luck of location. For example, delta 8 products are available to shop safely online. BUT (and this is a big but), you have to live in a state where delta 8 is also legal. There are also some sticky rules in some states regarding CBD. Of course, this also applies to delta 9 THC products.
All those ifs and buts considered, the resounding fact is that the number of THC and CBD products that exist is likely in the millions at this point (I mean, we don’t know, could be? Must be?) And, we do know, too, that legality is likely to continue for these products and fast.
Buds with benefits
As you may have guessed thus far, THC vs CBD is a story of important similarities as well as differences. And, you’re right again if you’re thinking THC and CBD offer similar benefits for your mind and body (potentially). We say potentially for a number of reasons:
- THC and CBD affect people differently
- THC (both delta 9 and delta 8) are much “stronger” than CBD
- They’re both therapeutic, primarily for their anti-inflammatory nature
- Everybody and every body has different needs anyway, meaning symptoms and conditions
But, just to give you a brief overview to sum things up, cannabis products like THC and CBD have shown to help with things like anxiety, nausea and vomiting, chronic pain, sleep issues, seizures, and more, like hangovers, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and libido.
To keep up with more buzz around these buds, check out the rest of the Direct THC Blog. Or, browse CBD or legal delta 8 THC products online.
