What is Cannabidiol / CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD), is one of the main naturally occurring chemicals found in the cannabis plant. Although there are a total of at least 113 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids in Cannabis, the most famous are tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). Unlike the most well-known cannabinoid, THC, CBD has no psychotropic or hallucinogenic effects - meaning it won't make you "high".

CBD has gained a lot of attention in recent years as more studies and reports suggest there are a range of health and medicinal benefits. Whereas it used to be used for medicinal purposes it is now considered part of a healthy lifestyle.

Is CBD legal?

Since the cannabinoid CBD itself is non-psychoactive, many countries do not prohibit it. However, some restrictions still apply. CBD is perfectly legal in the UK as long as it meets the regulations on THC content. CBD is legal in most EU countries, as long as it abides by local and EU regulations. In the United States it varies state by state. Always check your local laws. For CBD oil to be legal in the UK, it must contain no more than 0.2 per cent THC, and the THC must not be easily separated from it.

How is CBD made?

CBD is naturally found in almost every type of cannabis plant including:
- Cannabis plants containing THC, the psychoactive chemical that makes you feel "high"
- Cannabis varieties specifically bred to be high in CBD and low in THC
- Industrial hemp plants that contain no THC and have no psychoactive effect.

There are a number of ways of extracting CBD from any of these varieties of cannabis. Liquid Solvents, Oil, and CO2 extraction are the most common.
Read more: How is CBD extracted from Hemp?