THC vs CBD: The Good, Bad and Legal Facts You Need to Know

THC vs CBD: it’s a big debate in the cannabis world. And for good reason! While they’re both cannabinoids (naturally occurring cannabis compounds), they come with some major difference. So, if you want to use THC and CBD together, or  just want to choose one, this read is for you. We’ll review the pros and cons that come from using THC and CBD, plus ways you can (legally) enjoy them together.

THC vs CBD : Legal Ramifications

In the United States, you can legally use CBD. In contrast, THC is a federally controlled substance. So that means that one con of using THC is that you can fail a drug test at your job. In contrast, CBD shouldn’t show up on drug screenings. (But full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC, so proceed with caution.)

If your work requires regular drug testing, you’ll have to steer clear of THC completely. So, if you want to enjoy a safer cannabis experience, you can use pure CBD instead. (Also called CBD isolate.) While the effects may be less noticeable, you won’t have to worry about your test results.

Also, because of the THC vs CBD legal difference, you’ll need to buy CBD from a company that you can trust. Some of the hallmarks to look for when shopping for CBD?  Make sure to ask for third-party lab testing on the products you purchase. Otherwise, they may contain more than the 0.3 % THC concentrations. (That’s the legal limit, according to the 2018 Farm Bill.)

The Question of Getting High

The next major difference between THC vs CBD surrounds getting high. THC is psychoactive, and CBD isn’t. But that’s not the only difference when it comes to the effects they produce in your body.

With THC, the strain you choose may impact your experience. When you work with Sativa strains, you may feel  more motivated or energetic. Some people also say their creativity gets a boost from these THC strains.  (But, in high doses, THC can actually impair your creativity.)

Then, there are Indica-dominant strains. With these, you may feel more relaxed or sleepy. Sometimes, they can even make you less motivated. So, because THC strains produce very different effects in your body, you should explore your source before investing in a product that won’t suit your needs.

Now, as we mentioned, CBD won’t be psychoactive. And, while there are varying CBD strains, they tend to all produce similar effects. And what might those be? Well, CBD may help you relax, which may also lead to better sleep if you take your dose at the right time of day.

Of course, there are some similar THC vs CBD effects, too. Both cannabinoids seem to help you manage pain. And both may also help relieve nausea, especially when its related to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Plus, each of these cannabinoids may help you manage anxiety. But, since THC may also trigger feelings of paranoia, CBD may be the safer option for addressing mental health concerns.

THC vs CBD: Hitting Your Wallet

In many cases, legally purchased CBD may cost  more than street marijuana. A lot of that cost is because extracting CBD from hemp is an expensive process. Still, as legal THC becomes available in more cities and states across the state, its cost is also rising. (Largely because you must now purchase medicinal or recreational marijuana from dispensaries.)

Here’s the bottom line on cost: as with any quality product, you get what you pay for. You may prefer to spend a little more money upfront to guarantee your CBD or THC’s quality and ingredients lists. But this kind of transparency usually comes with a slight uptick on your product’s price tag.

Determining Your Dose with THC vs CBD

Whether using THC or CBD, every body reacts differently to cannabinoids. That’s why it’s best to test out a small dose when you’re starting out with a new substance. Then, once you see how your body reacts to that amount of cannabis extract, you can decide to gradually increase your dose, if needed.

Now, when you increase your CBD dose, the only difference you may notice is a stronger effect. But, since THC is psychoactive, increasing your dose can have serious consequences. At that point, you may not be able to conceal your high, which can interfere with your daily tasks. (And definitely won’t work in a professional setting.) Also, at higher doses, THC can interfere with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. Basically, the higher your dose of THC, the more you’re going to feel impaired by its effects. Thankfully, that is not the case with doses of CBD.

Sourcing Your Product

Before you buy any THC or CBD products, see if you can find online reviews first. That way, you can get a better understanding of what to expect. It will also help you avoid products that just aren’t worth the money.

Buying in person? Even if a store employee highly recommends one product, it’s worth doing your own research. Cannabinoids offer unique experiences to different people. So what works for one person may not be your best option.

We also recommend carefully examining your product’s ingredients, especially if you’ll be using a tincture or edible. Doing so will help you understand what’s going into your body. And remember, the simplest choices are often the best. So if you see a product containing cannabinoids, terpenes, and a carrier oil such as MCT oil, you’ll know you’re on the right track.

Another point to consider? The form of CBD or THC that’s best for you. After all, these products come as topicals, edibles, or even smokeable flowers. If you’re not sure what form you prefer, seek out starter packs. These are packages of small-sized hemp extracts that allow you to explore different CBD delivery methods. After you’re done with your CBD starter pack, you should have a better idea of your favorite form of CBD, and you can stick with that moving forward.

Now you have the information that you need to know if you should try CBD, THC, or both at the same time. Knowing the pros and cons of both will really make a difference, because then you’ll know what’s going to work in your particular situation. We hope that reading through this guide has helped you to understand the differences and similarities between each product. And we invite you to explore Tanasi’s range of full-spectrum CBD products, with legal THC concentrations to harness the power of both cannabinoids.