The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is deeply rooted throughout history, dating back to ancient times. It once held a prominent position in the history of medicine, recommended by many eminent physicians for numerous diseases, particularly headache and migraine. Through the decades, this plant has taken a fascinating journey from a legal and frequently prescribed status to illegal, driven by political and social factors rather than by science. However, with an abundance of growing support for its multitude of medicinal uses, the misguided stigma of cannabis is fading, and there has been a dramatic push for legalizing medicinal cannabis and research. As a result, the curiosity surrounding this plant and all the potential it holds, leads to many questions on which CBD Plus Gold hopes to shed some light....

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 molecules produced by the Cannabis plant, called cannabinoids. Of the cannabinoids, CBD is the most abundant making up 40% of the plant’s extract. When ingested, it acts as a plant supplement for the body’s chemical needs and can provide many health benefits.

On June 10, 2019, Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law making CBD legal in Texas as long as it contains .3 percent or less THC (THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive or euphoric component of Cannabis).

The variety of cannabis that has very small amounts of THC (the psychoactive or euphoric component of Cannabis) is called “hemp”, in contrast to that grown specifically for the production of THC, which is considered “Marijuana” (a slang term from the early 20th century). Legally, hemp is defined as a cannabis plant that contains 0.3 percent or less THC, while marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3 percent THC.

CBD oil is Cannabidiol extract from the Cannabis plant strains of Cannabis Indica or Cannabis Sativa— their maturity and THC content determine whether the oil is being derived from hemp or marijuana. CBD oils contain CBD (cannabidiol; or one of many other cannabinoid molecules) either exclusively, or combined with other cannabinoids, then mixed with an inert carrier oil, such as coconut oil or hemp seed oil. The bottled oil, called a tincture, is sold in various concentrations. There are also CBD capsules, CBD gummies, and under-the-tongue CBD sprays all made with cannabinoid oil derived from various Cannabis molecules from the different plant species.

Research suggests that light exposure is the most significant factor in the deterioration of cannabinoids. Keep CBD products in their original packaging to prevent unnecessary exposure to air. Store oil at room temperature, which is typically around 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C). Store the oil in a dark place away from light, such as a pantry, cupboard, or closet. Keep oil away from potential sources of excess heat or cold, like windows, radiators, air conditioners, and stoves. Use a clean dropper or spoon every time you take CBD oil to avoid getting bacteria and other contaminants in the bottle. Always make sure to close the bottle properly after use to keep air out. You might be asking does CBD oil expire? Yes, CBD oil has an expiry or best before date, which is the date until which the product is expected to remain stable and useable. Like anything else you ingest, if the taste or smell has changed, you might want to double-check if your CBD oil has expired. If your CBD oil smells different, is cloudy and a different viscosity to normal, you should probably throw it away and purchase a new bottle. Tinctures might be the most popular way to use CBD, but the variety of choice available today is far-reaching beyond just CBD drops. Other products are generally easier to store but always check for a best before date for maximum potency and results.

A preliminary study suggests the answer is "no" – as long as the CBD is pure, which CBD Plus Gold exclusively uses the finest, purest, top-quality lines available. Researchers found that CBD, or cannabidiol, did not react with either of two commercially available tests used to screen for marijuana use. However, another cannabis compound -- cannabinol (CBN) – did...This is because CBN is a THC derivative. CBD and CBN are two of many chemicals found in cannabis plants. They differ from THC, the source of the marijuana "high." CBD is present in marijuana but more abundant in hemp -- cannabis plants that have little THC.

CBD can be extracted from any cannabis plant, but it doesn't have the same ability to create a “high” or state of euphoria as its primary euphoric cannabinoid, THC. CBD may help you feel relaxed or less anxious, but you won't get high if you choose to use a CBD-infused oil, tincture, edible, or other product. With so much research being done on the Cannabis plant, discoveries regarding the hundreds of cannabinoid compounds, such as CBN, CBC, CBG, CBDA, THC-V, HHC and so much more, make the helpful and/or potential euphoria these compounds can generate, opens a frontier that is just waiting to be explored.

To understand Delta-8-THC, we must start with Delta-9-THC, which is what most people think of with regard to feeling euphoric from using the cannabinoid THC in marijuana, and refer to it commonly as, simply, “THC.” Delta-9-THC has long been known to lawmakers as the chemical that naturally occurs in cannabis flowers and causes psychoactive effects. Both Texas and federal law prohibit the personal use or sale of substantive amounts of Delta-9-THC. In fact, when Governor Abbott legalized CBD in 2019, he stipulated that no cannabis product could be sold with a Delta-9-THC concentration of 0.3 percent or more. What he did not do, however, was specify the legal—or illegal—quantity of Delta-8-THC. Because of this gap, cannabis entrepreneurs have recently found a way to bring a form of THC to Texas markets. They discovered that if they chemically extract all THC from cannabis plants, they can then spray back on Delta-8-THC, a compound that is nearly identical to Delta-9-THC in chemical structure (an "isomer"), with the location of one bond being the difference. Though this one difference makes Delta-8-THC less potent than Delta-9-THC, it can still get you high. In the most recent 2021 legislative session, some Texas lawmakers fought to add a new law criminalizing all forms of THC, including Delta-8. However, this law failed to pass, so as of now, Delta-8-THC remains legal. Like CBD or THC in other states, Delta-8-THC is legally sold throughout Texas in many forms, including smokable flowers, serums, edibles, and more. If you purchase Delta-8-THC cannabis flowers at the store, they will look (and smell) just like “normal” marijuana buds. However, that plant will have been through a chemical extraction process (often called “remediation”) that removes all forms of THC from the plant and then adds the legal form of THC, Delta-8, back onto the flowers.

This is where things get tricky. If you’re caught with a Delta-8-THC product, some police officers may assume you’re in possession of good old-fashioned marijuana, which contains Delta-9-THC, and therefore is illegal. In fact, it’s quite possible that a police officer could arrest you for possession of marijuana or possession of a controlled substance, even if you're actually in possession of legal Delta-8-THC instead. If this happens to you, the best thing to do is hire a competent criminal defense attorney who can insist that the prosecution tests your cannabis product to show it contains minimal to no Delta-9-THC (and is therefore legal). Currently, the best advice is to save your Delta-8 use for home and private non-traveling events, and most definitely do not use while driving or in a car. Treat this product as you would alcohol – a mind-altering substance that will impair your abilities to function sober.