Written by Sophie Clarke Contents5 sections
CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of the many cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, and a molecule distinct from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound behind the psychoactive effects people call a high. Same plant, different chemistry.
Hemp and marijuana are both forms of Cannabis sativa, bred for different cannabinoid profiles. Marijuana strains are bred to contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in high amounts. The cannabidiol in most CBD products comes from hemp varieties that are naturally low in THC.
Once extracted, that cannabidiol reaches labels in three forms:
- Full spectrum: the whole orchestra, with other cannabinoids and terpenes on stage, so traces of THC are possible.
- Broad spectrum: the same ensemble with the THC taken out.
- Isolate: the soloist, cannabidiol on its own.
Terpenes shape aroma and taste. That’s why two bottles of oil carrying the same label can smell of lemon zest or of a pine forest.
A proper answer to what is CBD goes past the molecule. Next up: how cannabis-based formats differ in texture, scent and ritual, from oil and gummies to flowers, hash and vapes. Then a checklist for judging a product before you use it.
The essentials in 30 seconds
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of roughly 200 compounds in the cannabis plant[4], distinct from THC and typically extracted from hemp, which usually contains no more than 0.3% THC compared with around 12% in the marijuana plant[6]. Formats range from oils to gummies, with lab testing as the key quality marker.
- CBD doesn’t contain THC and won’t produce a high, unlike marijuana-derived cannabinoids[5].
- Spliff lab-tests every product, keeping THC below 0.3% and at 0% for vapes and pods.
- The lab analysis of each batch is available on request from customer service.
What is CBD, and how is it different from THC?
What is CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid made by the cannabis plant, usually extracted from hemp varieties bred to be low in THC. On a label, it’s a separate line item from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), worth checking before you buy.
The plant itself is a crowded spice rack: cannabidiol is one of several, probably 200, compounds of the cannabis plant[4]. Makers of cannabis based products start from hemp, then run an extraction step. What they keep or strip out at that stage decides what ends up in your jar.
That’s why people buying something labelled simply “CBD” can end up with very different products.
Full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate: what’s the difference?
The difference comes down to how much of the plant stays in the extract, and whether THC is part of it. Here’s how the three label terms compare at a glance:
| Extract type | Other cannabinoids | Terpenes (aroma) | THC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full spectrum | Kept | Kept | Traces possible |
| Broad spectrum | Kept | Usually kept | Targeted for removal |
| Isolate | Removed | Removed | Targeted for removal |
The terpene column helps explain why an isolate tastes almost neutral while a full spectrum oil smells green and herbal. If you’d rather steer clear of products containing THC, the spectrum line is the first thing to read, before any flavour name. Checking it first will help reduce the guesswork in the shop.
CBD, CBG and CBN: what’s the difference?
Those “other cannabinoids” in the table aren’t random extras. Two names you’ll keep seeing next to CBD are CBG and CBN, and the easiest way to tell them apart is by where they sit in the plant’s timeline.
- CBG (cannabigerol): think of it as the starting dough. The plant first builds the acid form of CBG, then converts much of it into the acid forms of CBD and THC as it grows, which is why CBG is called a precursor compound.
- CBD (cannabidiol): one of the end products of that conversion, made by the living plant.
- CBN (cannabinol): not really made by the plant on purpose. It’s generally described as a breakdown product of THC, showing up as cannabis material ages.
So CBG comes before, CBD is made along the way, and CBN shows up after. On a label, that’s a chemistry story, not a promise of what any of them will do for you. If you’re wondering whether CBD helps with something specific, remember that CBD is not a medicine and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment: if in doubt, consult a healthcare professional.
What is CBD oil, and how do gummies, drinks and other formats compare?
CBD oil is a cannabidiol extract diluted in a carrier oil and sold in a dropper bottle. CBD gummies mix the extract into a chewy, sweet base, and CBD drinks disperse it in a beverage. What changes across all three is texture, taste, storage and how you go about using CBD day to day.
What is CBD oil made of?
Two ingredients do the work: a CBD extract (full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate) and a carrier oil such as hemp seed, MCT or olive. Think of the carrier as the stock in a recipe. It shapes the mouthfeel and how grassy each drop tastes.
The percentage on the bottle shows how much of the liquid is CBD, so a higher figure means a more concentrated oil, not a different substance. Epidyolex, a highly purified liquid containing CBD, will not get you high because it does not contain THC[5].
What are CBD gummies and CBD drinks?
CBD gummies are sweets with the extract stirred into the gelatine or pectin base before moulding, so fruit and sugar mask the plant flavour. A CBD drink applies the same idea to liquid: the extract is dispersed into water, juice or a soda-style base.
Next to oil, both win on convenience and taste, but the character of the extract disappears. If aroma is what draws you to cannabis products, flowers, hash and vapes keep the terpene bouquet front and centre. The Magic Vape sits at the ready-to-use end of that range: a sealed device, nothing to roll or prepare.
Choosing among the products available comes down to the gesture and the flavour you enjoy.
How to spot tested CBD products worth buying
Picking a format is the fun part. Checking the paperwork is the part that protects your money, and tested CBD products make that check easy. Here’s what you need to know before anything lands in your basket.
- A third-party lab report. It lists the CBD content, the THC content and a contaminant screen. That document is your evidence, the marketing copy isn’t. No report available, no purchase.
- A stated THC figure. Hemp usually has no more than 0.3% THC, while the marijuana plant contains around 12%[6]. A label that skips the number is a red flag, especially on full spectrum products, which can carry traces.
- Hemp origin. Where the plant was grown should be stated plainly on the label.
- A readable label. Total cannabinoids including CBD, volume or weight, and the full ingredient list.
Then compare like with like: oil against oil, pod against pod. Weigh the concentration against the price of the day, and check the rating and review count when the product page displays them. A little research beats a glossy bottle every time.
Take the Magic Vape, a ready-to-use vape format. Every Spliff product is lab-tested: THC content below 0.3% (0% for vapes and pods). The lab analysis of each batch is available on request from customer service.
Conclusion
Once the paperwork checks out, the rest comes down to taste. So, what is CBD in one line? One molecule, many ways to use it, from drops to resin.
That’s why our take stays firm: the format matters as much as the molecule. Start from what you enjoy, then let the lab report confirm what the product actually holds.
At Spliff, orders ship quickly after payment, and we send them to several countries, including these 4 countries: Austria, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. When you’re ready to compare formats, the CBD oil collection is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
What is Epidyolex and how does it relate to CBD?
Epidyolex is a highly purified liquid containing CBD; it won’t get you high because it contains no THC[5]. It has been studied for conditions such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, though this falls under Food and Drug Administration oversight rather than a general consumer CBD purchase decision.
Does CBD contain THC?
CBD doesn’t contain THC itself; they are distinct compounds from the same plant. Hemp, the usual source of CBD, usually has no more than 0.3% THC, while the marijuana plant contains around 12% THC[6], which is why checking the stated THC figure on a label matters before buying.
Sources
- Drugs (psychoactive): Cannabidiol (compound of cannabis) — www.who.int
- Medical cannabis (cannabis oil) – NHS — www.nhs.uk
- CBD: What you need to know about its uses and efficacy | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — www.vet.cornell.edu
