Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil: How to spot the difference

CBD Oil and Hemp Oil…what are they, and are they legal and safe to use?

There is no doubt that the cannabis industry is exploding and has gone mainstream. New cannabis-infused products are coming out left and right, with the health and beauty sectors spearheading the rising wellness trend. Cannabis-infused products are quickly becoming the new go-to for alternative therapy.

With recent changes in the legality of cannabis in the USA, a rush of cannabis-inspired products has flooded the markets. The not-so-good part of this rush are the predatory marketing tactics of pop-up companies and those looking to take advantage of the booming CBD industry with their deceptive products.

When CBD oil and Hemp oil products are put side by side, sometimes it can be difficult to tell them apart if you don’t know what to look for. That is why we’ve put together a guide to help you weed out (see what I did there) the imitation products and get you the real thing to support your health goals.

In short, CBD oil and Hemp (hempseed) oil are not the same. They are both derived from different parts of the cannabis plant. Read on to learn how to spot the differences.

A little history about Cannabis

Interestingly enough, cannabis has been around since our early ancestors roamed the earth. This plant was one of the earliest plants to be cultivated because of its versatility and quite possibly because of its psychoactive properties too. Early documented uses of cannabis include the use of seeds and oil for food, hemp fibers for textiles, and the plant as a medicine and for rituals.

In more modern times, cannabis has gone through a series of changes in legal status at both the state and federal level in the United States. Most notably, in 2018, the United States legalized hemp, a designation or classification of cannabis that has no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis. THC is the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that causes a high. This designation is what paved the way for the booming CBD industry.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is the genus (scientific name and category) of both marijuana and hemp plants. So in simpler terms, hemp is cannabis, and marijuana is cannabis. The only thing that sets hemp and marijuana apart is the percentage of THC. THC is the defining factor that makes cannabis legal or illegal.

What is Hemp?

Hemp is a designation or classification of cannabis with less than 0.3 percent THC. Hemp was made legal for interstate commerce and cultivation in 2018 with the passage of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (aka the 2018 Farm Bill). This law allows farmers across the United States to plant and sell hemp as long as it contains less than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis.

What is Hempseed oil?

Hempseed oil or hemp oil is the oil pressed out of the seeds from the hemp plant. This process is best done with a cold press that releases the oil from the seeds when under pressure. The resulting unrefined hemp oil is usually light in color with a nutty flavor. Hemp oil has been around for decades and is known for its health benefits. Hemp oil or hempseed oil should not be confused for CBD oil; yes, they’re from the sample plant but made from different parts of the plant.

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil is the phytocannabinoid-rich oil extracted from the stalk, stems, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant. The process for extracting CBD oil from the hemp plant can vary from company to company. Still, most companies use a supercritical CO2 cold press extraction or an ethanol extraction method. The unrefined oil collected through these methods usually contains a variety of cannabinoids, like CBD (Learn more about what is CBD here) and THC, among others, as well as terpenes and other plant material. This resulting unrefined oil can be processed and refined to make a variety of finished products, with each having its benefits. Do you want to know differences between Hemp and Marijuana? Check here.

Confusion in the market or just tricky marketing tactics?

Nowadays, it’s not very difficult to find hemp-infused products. They’re easy to find in grocery stores, gas stations, Amazon, boutique shops, nutrition shops, and specialty stores. They come in a variety of forms like lotions, oils, snacks, or edibles. The thing here is, both hemp oil and CBD oil are trendy products, and both ingredients can be used in similar products, sometimes causing confusion on what ingredients the product actually uses. Are you looking for top quality CBD vape? Check our CBD vape pen here.

A simple search on Amazon for “CBD gummies” provides the perfect example of predatory marketing tactics, whether the intention was there or not. Amazon clearly states in its terms that the sale of CBD products is not allowed on their platform. However, this simple search yields over 900 results of products that look like their CBD equivalents when, in fact, they contain ZERO CBD.

Some of the common terminology used in these imitation products are:

• Premium Hemp
• High Potency
• 3,000 mg Hemp Extract
• 100% Natural Hemp Oil Infused

Here is a simple recommendation: Do not buy CBD products on Amazon.

Why buying the right stuff matters?

Simply said, if you’re not buying the right product you set out for, you’re wasting your time and money. Since both CBD and hemp seed oil are in the same cannabis family, they’re easy to market incorrectly. Why would a brand do this? A simple reason is, consumers are willing to pay more for CBD, which is an expensive ingredient compared to hempseed oil.

It is easy for pop-up or devious companies to market hemp seed oil, add cannabis leaf images to their packaging, and use confusing terminology to make consumers think they’re purchasing a CBD product. All this, when, in fact, their imitation products contain no actual CBD at all. Do your due diligence before buying a product that may contain CBD. Your wallet and body will thank you for purchasing the right stuff. Check top 5 reasons to choose AVIDA CBD Vape Juice.

How to know that you are getting real CBD oil?

To know that you are buying the real deal, all you have to do is look at the ingredients. It is common practice for reputable CBD companies to list the CBD ingredient as CBD or cannabidiol along with the amount per serving or the amount in the entire container. There are also real CBD products that also contain hemp oil. Hemp oil can be added to CBD products for the additional health benefits it offers.

Another common practice for reputable CBD companies is to provide 3rd party lab results or certificates of analysis (COA) for their products. These lab results or COAs contain the information you need to confirm the cannabinoids present in your CBD product and the amount listed on the bottle. This excellent practice allows customers to verify that their purchase actually contains the ingredients they are looking for. Check what is CBD vape oil here.

Here is a list of common verbiage used in real CBD products:

• CBD or Cannabidiol
• Phytocannabinoid(s)
• Cannabinoid(s)
• Hemp Extract**

**If your product says Hemp Extract and does not include any of the other verbiages, check the lab results to ensure you’re buying a product that contains CBD. If the product does not provide a lab result or COA, it’s better to err on the side of caution and place the item back on the shelf and move on. Plenty of reputable CBD companies provide their COAs publicly on their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hemp contain CBD?

If you’re referring to the hemp plant, yes, most hemp plants contain CBD. Depending on the strain, growing environment, and other cultivation factors, CBD concentrations may vary.

Is hemp oil legal?

Yes, hemp oil is perfectly legal in the United States and around the world. Hemp oil has been around for decades and can be found in most grocery stores, typically in the same aisle as other cooking oils.

Is CBD oil legal?

In the United States, CBD oil is federally legal. This was made possible by the passage of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) that legalized hemp – cannabis with less than 0.3 percent THC.  Some states have their own laws regulating CBD and THC products; consult your local laws to determine if CBD or THC is allowed in your state. The same applies to other countries; check your local laws.

Where can I buy CBD oil?

CBD oil and other products like CBD vape juice, vape pens, topicals, edibles, or CBD gummies can easily be found online on CBD manufacturer websites, some nutritional stores, and other health and wellness shop and boutiques. The best place to buy CBD products is on the manufacturers’ website. This will ensure you are getting the freshest possible CBD product that has not been sitting on shelves for unspecified amounts of time.

Conclusion

As we continue to move forward, we can continue to expect hemp-based products to be more accessible across the United States. This includes both CBD oil-based products and hemp oil-based products.

As the current regulatory climate for CBD products continues to lack oversight and regulation, giving free rein to pop-up and deceptive companies, we can also expect predatory marketing tactics to continue. It is more important now than ever before to know what you are buying and what you are putting in your body. If you’re looking for CBD products, make sure to look for 3rd party lab results or a certificate of analysis. Confirm that your product indeed contains cannabidiol (CBD), and the amount matches the label.

If you’re looking for a trusted CBD brand that promotes transparency through their 3rd party lab results, consider Avida CBD. Try us risk-free for 30-days or your money back, no questions asked. It’s our guarantee!

Experience the Avida CBD difference today!