If you have ever been curious about medical marijuana and done any research, then you know that one of the major compounds in the cannabis plant that is medically useful is the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol. While THC does have its medical uses, THC is psychoactive and produces the “high” that some people are familiar with when it comes to marijuana. Cannabidiol is not psychoactive, but does provide relief for millions of people around the world. Here are ten frequently asked questions about cannabidiol and the answers.

1. What is CBD?

Of the 113 known active phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD), makes up the majority – coming in at about 40% of the plant’s extract. Though it may be the most prevalent compound, it is unlike its partner compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in that cannabidiol is not psychoactive. CBD is the phytocannabinoid that stopped a seizure in its tracks on national television. It also helps to soothe pain and anxiety. Medical science is also looking at this compound as a neuroprotectant and an anti-tumoral agent.

2. What Conditions or Symptoms Can CBD Oil Relieve?

Cannabidiol is a versatile phytocannabinoid. Though it is tough to do medical research on cannabidiol because it can affect so many of the body’s pathways at once, patients with the following conditions have reported relief from cannabidiol: cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, and various pediatric conditions. Anxiety, epileptic disorders, and psychiatric disorders are three of the top conditions medical research is using cannabidiol to treat.

3. Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

Drug tests for employment are a fact of life for many Americans. However, the majority of drug tests are looking for the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Though high-CBD strains of marijuana can contain traces of THC, if you are using CBD oils or hemp extracts, the drug screen should not pick up the trace amounts of THC. However, keep in mind that this is only the case with hemp-based products, since hemp contains very little THC, but is high in CBD.

4. Is CBD Psychoactive?

No. CBD is the most prevalent cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, but it is tetrahydrocannabinol that is the psychoactive compound. CBD compounds are mainly derived from the hemp plant, which is a high CBD strain of cannabis. There is typically very little THC in high CBD strains of the plant.

5. Can You Vape CBD?

In a word, yes! You can get high-CBD strains of marijuana buds as well as oils and extracts. So, bring out your vape pen, your mod, or your desktop vaporizer and get to it! Make sure that you are vaping the appropriate material for your machine, though. Some pen vapes and mod vapes only support the vaping of either wax, oil, or dry herb. There are some models that will support all three with a simple change of the tank, atomizer, or chamber.

6. What Forms Does CBD Come In?

The most often used format for cannabidiol is oil, which patients either smoke or vaporize. High-CBD strains of bud also exist. Other popular forms of CBD are tinctures, edibles, and topicals. Tinctures are often placed under the tongue while topicals are typically used as a balm and rubbed on the skin. Edibles, of course, are eaten.

7. Can I Buy CBD Products Online?

This is a bit of a trick question. Keep in mind that the cannabis plant – and all its extracts – including cannabidiol – are still illegal under federal law. This essentially makes shipping CBD products from state-to-state illegal. If a website is stating they will ship to any state, including non-medical states, they are not likely using the same CBD oil as medical therapy utilizes. They are likely deriving their CBD product from the hemp plant – which is legal to import and ship – but not to grow in the United States – and treating it with harsh processes to extract enough cannabidiol for their products. Currently, there are no standards set forth by the FDA about how much cannabidiol has to be in a product to claim the product is a “CBD Product.” So, purchase online at your own risk.

8. Do I Need a Medical Marijuana Card to Buy CBD?

This is another one of those yes and no answer questions. If the CBD is hemp-based, then no. However, keep in mind that the hemp plant has relatively low amounts of CBD when compared to cannabis plants. The CBD derived from the hemp plant will be several times less potent than CBD that is derived from cannabis. To purchase medical marijuana products in states where medical marijuana is legal, you do need a Medical Marijuana Card.

9. Can You Overdose on CBD?

In a word, no. Even at doses of 700mg to 1500mg per day, there was no toxicity shown for cannabidiol. There have been no known deaths reported due to overdosing on CBD or cannabis despite decades of research into the toxicity of the plant.

10. How Do I Store My CBD? What is the Shelf Life of CBD?

Depending on the form you decide to take it in – CBD should be stored appropriately. For the oil, it should be stored in a dry area away from heat. Edibles should be stored as directed and eaten before their expiration date, as with any food. The typical shelf life of cannabidiol oils and products can vary by manufacturer, so check expiration dates. However, most are good for up to 2 years.