Whole Plant Cannabis Versus A Zero THC Cannabis Product Constant change and growth within the cannabis industry are leading to more specific distinctions between the different types of cannabis products available to consumers - including NPC (Non-psychotropic cannabis). A recent update in federal law allows whole plant cannabis products to be sold across state line - if there’s less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). With all these new terms emerging from the market evolution, what do they mean? Questions distinguishing whole plant cannabis from zero THC cannabis: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
What is whole plant cannabis? What is zero THC cannabis? Whole plant (full-spectrum) vs broad spectrum Is there a difference in the effect between whole plant and zero THC cannabis? Does the entourage effect still occur without the THC molecule? What is the entourage effect? How many of each cannabinoid are required to trigger the entourage effect? What is the best way to take cannabis? What’s the process for making a zero THC cannabis product.
What is whole plant cannabis? Another way to say whole plant cannabis is full-spectrum. Full-spectrum and whole plant cannabis will involve the entire plant, associated cannabinoids, and other plant materials - such as terpenes, flavonoids, and more. Depending on the level of processing and refinement, whole plant cannabis will (at minimum) contain a wide range of cannabinoids - including the THC molecule. With the federal government allowing 0.3% THC in cannabis products, there can technically be full spectrum cannabis products able to ship across the country and overseas. Bottom line, whole plant (full-spectrum) cannabis will have all the cannabinoids present from the entire plant.
Whole plant cannabis maintains its full integrity and doesn’t remove any of the other cannabinoids.
What is zero THC cannabis? Zero THC cannabis “can” (inaccurately) mean a few things and technically there’s only one proper definition of zero THC cannabis. Some cannabis companies will label their products as zero THC (or THC free), even if there’s trace amounts of THC detectable. While a more accurate (technical) definition of zero THC cannabis means there’s 0.0000% THC or ND (Non-detectable) quantities. And some zero THC cannabis products are being marketed as CBD isolates or other purified single molecule cannabinoids. Awareness of these distinctions can help you figure out what’s really in your cannabis product. Most cannabis companies are required to have their products lab tested to verify cannabinoid quantity and safety from harmful constituents. Once tested, the products will receive a COA (certificate of analysis) to visually display the data analysis from the cannabis. Zero THC cannabis will have ND (non-detectable) amounts and won’t even register on the lab testing results.
Whole plant (full-spectrum) vs broad spectrum Zero THC products are most accurately labeled as broad-spectrum. Even if there’s trace amounts or detectable levels of THC in cannabis, it’s technically considered whole plant and full-spectrum. Broad-spectrum cannabis will typically have to go through more processing and refinement to remove the entire THC molecule from the final product. Whereas whole plant cannabis will usually require less processing to achieve a final result. What’s better between full and broad spectrum cannabis products?
Is there a difference in the effect between whole plant and zero THC cannabis? Short answer is yes. Depending on the levels of cannabinoids in each cannabis product, the resulting effect can be drastically different. Having no THC in the cannabis products will remove the psychoactive experience. Psychoactive effects of THC is also considered “getting high.” Zero THC cannabis, on the other hand, will not get you high because there’s no psychoactive molecules triggering that effect.
Does the entourage effect still occur without the THC molecule? To answer this question specifically will require more research to sort out the differences of current available information. Some sources will say the entourage effect will still occur at some level, without the THC molecule. Then other research asserts the entourage effect can only be achieved with a full-spectrum of cannabinoids - including the THC molecule - even if there’s only trace amounts.
What is the entourage effect? The entourage effect is when the cannabinoids work together to produce a synergistic effect and start making each other cannabinoid work more effectively. Without the benefit of the entourage effect, the cannabinoids are not as effective as they would be working together in the spirit of harmony.
How many of each cannabinoid are required to trigger the entourage effect? This is an ongoing question that requires more research to verify with complete authority. As of now, all cannabinoids - at some level - are required to produce an optimal entourage effect.
What’s the process for making a zero THC cannabis product. There are several methods on the market for removing or reducing the amount of THC content within the final cannabis product. Various potential chemical solvents are available that are used as part of the process to remove the THC molecule. A few solvents to remove THC include: ● ● ● ●
Food grade ethanol. Butane. Propane. CO2
Some methods used in extraction cannabinoids can be performed without a solvent. Most extraction procedures will follow similar basic processes utilizing a combination of heat, pressure, and typically a chemical solvent. When extracting without the use of a solvent, it requires a specific combination of heat, light, agitation, pressure, and potential other steps - as well as utilizing proper cannabis genetics. Extraction procedures can be quite intricate with varying levels of complexity and danger involved. Once the extraction is complete, there are further steps to remove and verify there are no trace amounts of other harmful substances. Other harmful substances can include residual solvent leftover from the extraction, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and other potentially harmful constituents. After the entire extraction procedure is complete, a sample is sent to a testing lab to verify a quality cannabis product that’s safe to consume. What’s better between whole plant cannabis and zero THC cannabis will typically be a full-spectrum (whole plant) cannabis product. Whole plant NPC (non-psychotropic cannabis) products are better in most circumstances because you’ll receive that added value of the entourage effect.
