The CBD shopper's glossary

The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act. It defines hemp as cannabis with under 0.3% delta-9 THC.

Broad spectrum CBD contains the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of the hemp plant with the THC removed.

Bioavailability is the percentage of a dose that actually reaches your bloodstream. CBD's bioavailability varies dramatically by delivery method.

A batch number identifies a specific production run of a CBD product. Batch numbers let you match a bottle to its specific COA.

CBD is one of more than 100 naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a 'high.'

CBD isolate is pure cannabidiol with all other cannabinoids and terpenes removed — typically 99%+ pure CBD.

Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. The plant contains more than 100 of them.

A COA is a document from an accredited third-party lab certifying what is — and isn't — in a CBD product.

cGMP is an FDA-enforced manufacturing standard that ensures products are consistently produced and controlled to quality standards.

CBG is a minor cannabinoid often called the 'mother cannabinoid' because other cannabinoids are synthesized from its acidic form (CBGa) in the plant.

CBN is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that forms when THC ages and oxidizes.

CBC is a non-intoxicating minor cannabinoid found in trace amounts in most hemp varieties.

Decarboxylation is the process of converting raw cannabinoid acids (like CBDa) into their active forms (like CBD) by applying heat.

Workplace drug tests typically screen for THC metabolites. Pure CBD is not on standard drug-test panels — but full-spectrum CBD with trace THC can produce positive results.

The entourage effect is the theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work synergistically — that whole-plant extracts produce different effects than isolated compounds.

The endocannabinoid system is a body-wide signaling network involved in pain, mood, sleep, immune function, and many other processes.

Full spectrum CBD contains all cannabinoids and terpenes naturally present in the hemp plant, including up to 0.3% THC.

Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that contains less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight — the legal definition under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Hemp seed oil is pressed from hemp seeds and contains essentially no CBD or THC. It is NOT the same as CBD oil.

Hemp flower is the smokable bud of hemp varieties bred for high CBD and low THC content.

ISO 17025 is the international quality standard for testing and calibration laboratories. CBD COAs should come from labs accredited under this standard.

MCT oil — medium-chain triglycerides, derived from coconut or palm — is the most common carrier oil for CBD tinctures because it improves absorption.

A microemulsion is a stable mixture of CBD oil and water created by reducing CBD particle size to under 100 nanometers, dramatically improving absorption.

A phytocannabinoid is a cannabinoid produced by a plant — distinguishing it from endocannabinoids, which the human body produces.

Sublingual means 'under the tongue.' CBD oil held under the tongue absorbs through the rich blood vessels there, reaching the bloodstream in 15-45 minutes.

A CBD salve is a topical product where CBD is suspended in a fat-based balm and applied to the skin for localized effect.

THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive 'high' associated with marijuana. Hemp-derived CBD products may contain up to 0.3% THC under federal law.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis (and many other plants) that give each strain its distinctive smell and flavor — and may contribute to its effects.

A tincture is a liquid herbal extract, traditionally made by soaking plant material in alcohol. Modern CBD 'tinctures' usually use a fat-based carrier (MCT oil) instead.

Third-party testing means a CBD product was analyzed by an independent, accredited lab — not by the manufacturer themselves.