THC Free† CBD Oil: Everything You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jen Palmer, ND –  Naturopathic Doctor,

Charlotte’s Web offers CBD products that are THC Free† (not CBD isolate, but rather broad-spectrum hemp extract) where you can enjoy the benefits of the “entourage effect” without THC. Those two collections of Charlotte’s Web^™ THC-free† CBD and Charlotte’s Web™ Performance Collection of CBD + Botanicals.

 THC Free† CBD oil. It’s a great option for those that want to try CBD and are averse to THC or need to take measures to limit their exposure to THC. While all hemp-derived CBD oil products contain less than 0.3% THC (the compound associated with the “high” of marijuana), Charlotte’s Web ^TM THC Free† CBD Oil contains less than 0.01% THC. Our THC Free† CBD products are designed to help you enjoy the many benefits of CBD while limiting THC intake.  

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of CBD without THC when compared to other CBD products and why you might want to try it. 

What is THC Free† CBD Oil? 

THC Free† CBD oil is just like it sounds it’s CBD hemp extract oil with the THC removed.  But unlike a CBD isolate, our THC Free formula is made to retain the additional cannabinoids and plant compounds from hemp, many with their own health benefits.   Because CBD is derived from hemp, or the Cannabis sativa L plant, there may be minute quantities of THC found in most CBD products. Charlotte’s Web continues to be a pioneer by developing a high-tech, innovative refinement process to remove THC from a full-spectrum hemp extract. We are setting industry standards for innovation, safety and eco-friendly techniques that do not involve the use of toxic, petroleum-derived solvents commonly used for manufacturing broad-spectrum hemp extracts.  

The result is CBD oil that is THC free†, which is often termed “broad-spectrum hemp extract”. Until recently, “broad-spectrum hemp extract” was an ambiguous term, but there is now provided a definition to help educate consumers and manufacturers alike: “Broad Spectrum Extract is hemp extract that has been intentionally processed to remove THC such that the quantified THC has been deemed non-detectable.” This means that our natural range of cannabinoids stays intact except for THC being removed.    

Based on this definition, broad-spectrum extracts cannot be formulated from the addition of multiple isolated cannabinoids or terpenes from other plants. That may seem like an odd thing to do, yet it’s how some brands are trying to artificially assemble a “Broad Spectrum Extract.” 

Charlotte’s Web ^TM THC free† CBD supports overall health and wellness, provides you with a sense of calm for focus, provides support for healthy sleep cycles, aids in recovery from exercise-induced inflammation, and provides relief from everyday stress* with the added benefit of being free of THC. 

How is CBD Oil without THC Different from Full-Spectrum CBD? 

A full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the phytocannabinoids that are naturally found in the hemp plant, including CBD, terpenes (the molecules responsible for plant aromas), essential oils, and the other cannabinoids found in hemp. In the mix of cannabinoids may be a trace amount of THC, which is required to be below 0.3% in the U.S.  

On the other hand, a CBD oil without THC, means there is no detectable THC in the product, specifically less than 0.01% or 100ppm. Because it’s not yet possible to grow a hemp plant with zero THC, we use our innovative technology for the refinement process to ensure THC is removed to less than 0.01%. The exact amount in each bottle can be seen in a Certificate of Analysis, available on our website. Read our blog post What is a Certificate of Analysis to learn more.

Think of Charlotte’s Web ^TM THC Free† CBD oil as a full-spectrum hemp extract without the THC which makes it a broad-spectrum CBD oil. This is superior to many other brand’s THC free CBD oils because due to our innovative technology, we are able to capture more of the important compounds such as flavonoids, other cannabinoids (like CBG and  CBC) and terpenes than our competitors. The body’s endocannabinoid system responds better to a tincture with all these beneficial compounds due to something called the entourage effect, a type of synergistic activity.  

Why Does Our THC Extraction Processes Create The Best THC Free CBD? 

Charlotte’s Web has developed a sophisticated extraction method and processing technology called Supercritical Fluid Chromatography. This method retains much of the naturally occurring hemp compounds while removing the THC. The process is eco-friendly and produces a true broad-spectrum extract. This process is remarkable when compared to processes that other brands use, which tend to strip out most of the beneficial compounds in the process of removing THC.  

Here are the other ways that THC gets extracted from hemp, and why they may not be ideal.  

Petroleum-Based Solvents 

This extraction process uses chromatography combined with petroleum-based solvents. These solvents are removed, but residue is possible. Depending on usage, over time these residues can build up in one’s system with unknown effects.  

Flash Chromatography Methods 

These methods use methanol and water rather than CO2, which requires a lot of energy and creates much more waste to remove from the final product. Flash chromatography is less selective and may remove more beneficial compounds. 

The Destructive Approach 

This low-tech process degrades the THC to CBN using heat which is not precise. Some of the THC turns into unknown THC-like compounds that testing does not detect in the product but could cause a person to fail a drug test.   

The Dilution Process 

This process dilutes the full spectrum hemp extract to undetectable THC levels, then spikes it with CBD isolate. This lowers the amount of minor cannabinoids and terpenes. The result is a formula that more closely resembles CBD isolate. In some cases, brands will add in other isolated cannabinoids and terpenes, which therefore disqualifies those products from being called “broad spectrum”. 

Why Would Someone Choose THC Free† CBD Oil? 

While full-spectrum CBD is non intoxicating, some consumers prefer not to ingest any form of THC. Charlotte’s Web^TM THC Free† CBD oil is a great option for those who want to enjoy all of the benefits of hemp and its many beneficial plant compounds without worrying about consuming THC. 

One of the most significant reasons someone may choose THC Free† CBD oil is to take precaution, so their CBD oil won’t trigger a positive result on a drug test. While the THC amounts in a CBD oil may be negligible in how they affect the user, it’s possible the THC in full-spectrum CBD oil could show up on a drug test depending on a variety of factors, such as a person’s weight, metabolism, genetics, and how much they take.  

How Does CBD Oil Without THC Affect Drug Testing? 

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is legal to cultivate and process into CBD products in the U.S. as long as it contains no more than 0.3% THC. Employers don’t conduct drug screenings for CBD, but they do screen for THC, which has psychoactive properties. There is a risk that even the small amount of THC present in a full spectrum CBD product can show up in these screenings and cause a positive test. However, because our THC Free† CBD oil has no detectable THC you can take it with very little risk to your screening results, this is because THC Free† CBD has trace amounts of THC less than 0.01% or 100ppm! 

How Long Does THC Stay in Your System? 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it’s possible for drug tests to detect THC several days to several weeks after use. If you work at a job with drug testing or are applying for a job that requires drug testing, you may wish to choose only THC Free† CBD oil. 

Jobs in various industries test for THC, both to screen candidates during the hiring process and at random intervals. According to American Addiction Centers, industries that are more likely to test for THC include government, healthcare and hospitals, manufacturing, automotive, transportation, logistics, private security, aerospace, defense, construction and first responders like firefighters and law enforcement. However, any employer may use drug testing in pre-employment and random screenings, so it’s important to be aware of the properties of the CBD oil you consume.   

THC–Free† CBD Oil: A Good Option to Have 

Our CBD oil consumers have a variety of preferences regarding the CBD oil product that works best for them. Charlotte’s Web ^TM THC-Free† CBD oil lets you enjoy the health and wellness benefits of CBD oil in a THC-Free† form. You get CBD that shouldn’t affect a THC drug test. Shop the best THC-Free† CBD and explore our full line of CBD products now. 
 
THC Free† means trace amounts less than 0.01% or 100ppm.