Daily Dose Q&A

2025-12-31

CBD oil products may be sold as full spectrum, broad spectrum, CBD isolate or whole plant CBD. What is the difference among the four types of CBD oil products?

Full spectrum CBD extract contains CBD and other cannabinoids (including up to 0.3% THC), terpenes, and essential oils. Unlike full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD does not contain THC, but it does contain the other components found in full spectrum CBD. CBD isolate is CBD in its molecular form and is typically sold as 99+% pure. Whole plant CBD is similar to, but not the same as full spectrum CBD. Whole plant and full spectrum CBD contain a variety of cannabinoids; however, whole plant CBD will also contain fats, waxes, and other fibrous materials.

Norton, M. (2020, August). To CBD or not to CBD? What pharmacists need to know. Pharmacy Today, 26(8), 41-55. Sagar, K. A., & Gruber, S. A. (2025). The complex relationship between cannabis use and mental health: Considering the influence of cannabis use patterns and individual factors. CNS Drugs. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-024-01091-1

2025-12-30

What is the half-life of CBD after smoking, and how does it compare to the half-life of THC?

The half-life of CBD following smoking is approximately 18 to 32 hours, which is similar to the half-life of THC of about 20 to 30 hours. Both cannabinoids are widely distributed to fatty tissues and highly perfused organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, and liver.

Page, R. L., Allen, L. A., Kloner, R. A., Carriker, C. R., Martel, C., Morris, A. A., ... Saucedo, J. F. (2020). Medical marijuana, recreational cannabis, and cardiovascular health: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation, 142(10), e131-e152. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000883

2025-12-29

Under federal law, what is the definition of marijuana? What is the definition of hemp?

Under federal law, "marijuana" is defined as the Cannabis sativa plant and all parts of the plant containing more than 0.3% __-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a dry weight basis. "The term 'hemp' means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis."

Crowley, R., Cline, K., Hilden, D., & Beachy, M.; Health and Public Policy Committee of the American College of Physicians. (2024). Regulatory framework for cannabis: A position paper from the American College of Physicians.Annals of Internal Medicine, 177(8), 1104-1105. https://doi.org/10.7326/M24-0638 U.S. Congress. (2018). Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-334, § 10113, 132 Stat. 4490 (2018) (7 U.S.C. § 1639o).

2025-12-24

How long after an individual smokes cannabis do the euphoric effects appear?

When herbal cannabis is smoked, whether through a cigarette, pipe, blunt, or bong, THC, CBD and other phytocannabinoids, as well as terpenoids, are vaporized by the heat of combustion and inhaled. Inhaled constituents quickly pass from alveoli into the bloodstream and readily cross the blood-brain barrier. The euphoric effects (and the "high") appear within seconds to a few minutes of inhalation, reach a maximum after 15-30 minutes, and taper off within 2-5 hours. The cognitive and psychomotor impairment typically peak 30-60 minutes after smoking and last for about 4-5 hours.

Grotenhermen, F. (2003). Clinical pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 3(1), 3-51. https://doi.org/10.1300/J175v03n01_02 Huestis, M. A. (2007). Human cannabinoid pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 4(8), 1770-1804. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.200790152. Zamarripa, C. A., Vandrey, R., & Spindle, T. R. (2022). Factors that impact the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of cannabis: A review of human laboratory studies. Current Addiction Reports, 9(4), 608-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00429-4

2025-12-23

Where are CB2 receptors primarily located?

CB2 receptors are primarily located throughout the immune system. For example, they are found in the tonsils, spleen, and on various immune cells, including lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, macrophages, mast cells, and microglia. CB2 receptors are also expressed outside the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract, hematopoietic cells, bone, keratinocytes, reproductive tissues, and the cardiovascular system. The expression of CB2 receptors is relatively low under normal conditions but in states of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, the expression of CB2 receptors is upregulated.

Chung, M., Kim, H., & Abdi, S. (2020). Update on cannabis and cannabinoids for cancer pain. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology, 33(5), 825-831. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACO.0000000000000934 _miarowska, M., Bia_ecka, M., & Machoy-Mokrzy_ska, A. (2022). Cannabis and cannabinoids: Pharmacology and therapeutic potential. Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska (Polish Journal of Neurology and Neurosurgery).https://doi.org/10.5603/PJNNS.a2022.0015 Wilson, G., Yang, L., Su, X., Ding, S., Li, L., Yang, Y., Wang, X., Wang, W., Sa, Y., Zhang, Y., Chen, J., & Ma, X. (2023, October 31). Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural compounds modulating the endocannabinoid system in various diseases and disorders: Review. Pharmacological Reports.