Your CBD Questions Answered

CBD has gained notoriety for relieving pain, sleep problems, and many other ills, but it’s also surrounded by confusion. To clear things up, here are the answers to some common questions.

- Vera Tweed

Q: What’s the difference between CBD and marijuana?

A: Like all plants, marijuana contains many components, but two of these are known for their specific effects: THC and CBD. THC produces the hallmark feeling of a high whereas CBD has therapeutic properties but does not produce a high.

CBD is also found in industrial hemp, a plant from the same botanical family as marijuana that contains only trace amounts of THC—not enough to produce a psychoactive effect. By law, hemp plants can contain no more than 0.3 percent THC. In comparison, marijuana contains between 8 and 30 percent THC, depending on the plant variety.

Q: Where does the CBD in supplements come from?

A: The industrial hemp plant is the source of CBD in supplements, creams, gels, and lotions found in health food stores and other retail outlets. In states where marijuana is legal, dispensaries may sell CBD products made from marijuana plants.