Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about our products, process, and the CBD category — written by the family that makes the oil. If your question isn't here, write to us and one of the owners will answer it, usually within a business day.
Will CBD make me feel high?
No. CBD is non-intoxicating — it does not produce a high. Our broad spectrum drops have the THC removed entirely. Our full spectrum drops keep the trace THC the hemp plant naturally makes, under the federal limit of 0.3%, which is not enough to have a psychoactive effect. If any THC at all worries you, go broad spectrum.
Will CBD interact with my medications?
It can, and this is a question for your doctor rather than for us. CBD is processed by the same family of liver enzymes (cytochrome P450) that metabolize many common prescriptions — blood thinners like warfarin, some seizure medications, and certain antidepressants among them. Bring the bottle and the lab report to your doctor or pharmacist and ask before you start. We sell a wellness product, not medical advice, and we won't pretend otherwise.
How much should I take if I've never tried CBD?
Start with 10–25 mg once a day and hold it under your tongue for a full 60 seconds before swallowing. Stay at that dose for three to five days before changing anything, then increase by 5–10 mg if you need to. On our 1500mg bottle a full dropper is about 50 mg, so a quarter dropper is roughly 12.5 mg. More is not better — stop where it works for you.
Does CBD oil expire, and how should I store it?
Yes, eventually. Cannabinoids break down when they meet heat, light, and air, so an unopened bottle generally holds its potency for one to two years, and an opened one is at its best within six to twelve months. Keep it upright in a cupboard or a drawer at normal room temperature — away from the stove, the dishwasher, and any windowsill. The fridge isn't necessary, and cold makes the oil thicken, though that reverses once it's back on the counter. If the oil has turned cloudy, smells sharp or rancid, or tastes noticeably different from the day you opened it, it's past its best. Old oil isn't dangerous — it's just weaker than the label says, which is a slow and confusing way to decide CBD doesn't work for you.
How long does it take to work, and how long does it last?
Held under the tongue for a full 60 seconds, most people notice something in 15 to 45 minutes, and the effect tends to last four to six hours. Swallow the drops straight away and you have turned them into an edible — the oil goes through your digestive system and liver first, so it arrives an hour or more later and less of it reaches your bloodstream. The arnica salve stick is a different thing entirely: it works on the spot you rub it into and doesn't enter the bloodstream at all. And the first dose is not the whole story. Give any new routine three to five days at a steady dose before you judge it.
Is botanCBD oil organic?
All botanCBD products are created using only organically cultivated hemp, certified by third-party testing verifying no presence of any pesticides, herbicides or any other heavy metals or chemicals. All additive ingredients are certified Non-GMO, Organic, and natural.
Why does botanCBD email an invoice instead of taking my card on the site?
Running cards on a CBD site means paying a processor a cut of every order. We send a Square invoice by email instead, and we price accordingly — code SQUARE takes 30% off, and it's applied for you at checkout. The trade is one extra step: you check an email and tap Pay.
What is "Broad Spectrum"?
This refers to the full plant extract that contains all of the major cannabinoids and terpenes naturally present EXCEPT those that have THC. All full spectrum phytocannabinoid-rich (PCR) hemp oil must have THC to be considered full spectrum since the plant naturally produces THC.
What's the difference between Full & Broad Spectrum?
Broad Spectrum extracts the most beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant and removes the THC. Concerned about drug tests? Go broad spectrum. Full Spectrum is the same but also includes beneficial cannabinoids with the legal limit of THC (0.3%), not enough to have a psychoactive impact.
Will broad spectrum CBD cause me to fail a drug test?
Our proprietary approach to broad spectrum CBD removes all THC while retaining the best and most important parts of the plant to keep the entourage effect in place. Maximum benefit with zero risk. If you are routinely tested at work, see our drug-tested professionals guide.
Will full spectrum CBD cause me to fail a drug test?
Much like the consumption of poppy seeds may lead to a positive drug test for opioids, consumption of certain hemp products may lead to a positive THC result. THC is inherently present in trace amounts in hemp plants. The legal limit of THC in hemp is no more than 0.3%.
Are you cGMP certified?
Yes. Finished products are manufactured in cGMP and ISO certified facilities registered with the FDA, subject to routine inspections and audits.
Do you provide Certificates of Analysis?
Yes. Raw materials and finished products are analyzed by independent third-party laboratories and in-house staff. Email us the batch number printed on your bottle and we'll send the PDF the same day.
Does the $15 welcome credit stack with SQUARE?
Your $15 welcome credit stacks with SQUARE on one-time orders — 30% off first, then $15 off the remainder — and does not apply on subscribe & save, where 40% already beats SQUARE.
How fast do you ship, and what does it cost?
Orders are packed and shipped the next business day from our Cincinnati facility by USPS Ground Advantage, which usually arrives in 2–5 business days. Shipping is free on orders of $99 and over, and $8.50 flat below that. Your tracking number is emailed the moment the label is created. We ship to all 50 states, though a few states' own laws limit which products can go there — checkout tells you before you order, and each state page explains why. International shipping isn't available yet.
Can I bring CBD on a plane?
Within the US, yes. TSA permits hemp-derived CBD under 0.3% THC in both carry-on and checked bags, and our 30 mL bottles sit well under the 100 mL carry-on liquid limit. Broad spectrum is the easier bottle to travel with — a screener can't tell one clear oil from another by looking, and THC-free means there's nothing to explain. Two things worth knowing: a handful of states are stricter than the federal rule about full spectrum no matter what TSA allows, and a new federal definition of hemp is set to take effect November 12, 2026 (Congress has floated pushing that to December) which will change what counts as compliant to carry. International travel is a separate question — some countries ban CBD outright, so check your destination's own rules before you pack.
What if it doesn't work for me?
Unopened products come back for a full refund within 30 days of delivery. If you've already opened the bottle, write to us anyway — we handle those one at a time and usually land on a refund, a replacement, or store credit. We would rather sort it out with you than have a bottle sitting unused in your cabinet.
Who is Carrie?
Carrie is the name on the emails you get from us and on the chat bubble in the corner of this site. The chat widget is AI Carrie — an AI assistant trained on Carrie's own answers about our products, dosing, and the family business, and it's labeled AI right in the chat header. Ask it anything. Any time you'd rather have a person, tap "Get a real reply from Carrie" and one of us writes back by email, usually within one business day.
Pick a bottle, or ask the owners.
Wondering who Carrie is? Meet Carrie — the name on our emails, and the AI in the chat bubble.