What’s the Difference Between THC and CBD?

For decades, during a time when the black market valued availability and potency over specific strain fits and education, the only differences advertised aside from strain naming, was their visual appearance and an Indica, Hybrid or Sativa classification. 

Want energy – smoke a sativa.

Need sleep – smoke an indica.

Up for whatever – how about a hybrid?

Aside from that, personal experience was all that could guide your education (unless you had an extremely better than average plug) and even then, consistency was lacking. 

Early on in the legal market, the focus of licensed producers, driven by the demands of the growing community of consumers, was to race to achieve the highest THC percentages as a way of showcasing superiority. 

This is not new, as the search for higher concentrations of THC in cannabis has transformed the average outdoor low-potency cannabis our parents smoked in the 60s into indoor strains that boast THC percentages above 20 or even 30 per cent. 

And while previous demand for THC has led to what some feel is an over-saturation of high-potency products, a new community of like-minded consumers who are educated on the many uses for cannabis, are starting to seek out less intense products that are lower in THC and higher in the non-intoxicating CBD compound.

While THC and CBD are both cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant, their ability to work together and apart to create a multitude of unique effects could very well see the pendulum of popularity swing far away from the traditional pursuit of stronger and higher into the world of specific, focused and individualized experiences ideal for each unique consumer. 

After THC, CBD is typically the second-most abundant cannabinoid in popular cannabis strains, and most legal dry flower products promote the following most-popular ratios. 

High THC, low CBD (e.g.,10-30% THC, trace amounts of CBD)

Balanced CBD/THC (e.g., 5-15% THC and CBD)

High CBD, low THC (e.g., 5-20% CBD, THC under 5%)

The Effects of CBD vs. THC 

For most of us, especially those with minimal to no experience with cannabis consumption, these numbers don’t tell us much. For clarity purposes, here are a few of the major defining qualities of each of the three experiences listed above. 

High THC, Low CBD

These strains offer the psychoactive highs most commonly connected to cannabis consumption. Without any CBD to help equalize the effects, these high-THC strains are best reserved for those who are looking to escape into a head or body-heavy euphoric high, who don’t concern themselves with the anxiety or paranoia that can come from these focused strains. 

High CBD, Low THC

These strains deliver a very clear-headed effects, free of the euphoric high associated with high-THC strains and take little to no functionality away from the consumer. Sought by consumers who are extremely sensitive to, or incompatible with, the common, often times negative effects of THC like anxiety, paranoia, light-headedness. 

Very popular on the medical side of the cannabis industry, high-CBD strains are a common go-to for those needing to medicate throughout the day to control pain, inflammation, anxiety, or other chronic conditions — even children. 

Balanced CBD/THC 

These strains offer more of the euphoric effects than the CBD-dominant strains mentioned above, but due to their balance of cannabinoids, are far less likely to induce negative side effects. Strains like these are popular and effective for pain relief, and are also popular with those who appreciate a more mellow buzz from their recreational strains. 

Consumption

Regardless of the type of strain, consumption is typical across the board and ranges from smoking or vaporizing dry flower, to consuming cannabis oil tincture drops or capsules, to applying topicals, to infusing extracts into edibles or concentrates.

The Medical Benefits of CBD

The list of conditions CBD is both vast and ever-expanding. And while significant research is needed to better understand the efficacy and range of CBD’s benefits, it’s popularly and effectiveness as a substitute for many existing drugs is undeniable. To-date, a short list of ailments that can be treated by CBD includes: 

• Epilepsy and seizure disorders
• Pain and inflammation
• Anxiety (PTSD)
• Crohn’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis

As well, despite being a compound found in a plant that has for years been identified as a “gateway drug” cannabis, and specifically CBD, has been credited recently as a reliable resource for those seeking relief from opiate addiction withdrawal symptoms. 

Even though THC is most recognized for its mind-altering euphoric effects, THC is particularly effective in relieving nausea, appetite loss, insomnia, and other symptoms. However, most patients tout the benefits of a balance of CBD and THC that can offer synergistic relief. 

Legality

CBD has no lethal dose or known serious medical side effects, yet many countries still categorize it the same as THC.  Having said this, it is widely assumed that cannabis, especially the non psychoactive compounds, will be widely legalized, at least for medical use, as more research and success stories come pouring in from all corners of the globe. 

Here in Canada, CBD is legal for those who are of the legal age to buy, and is quickly becoming the focus of many licensed producers across the country.