Since CBD is extracted from cannabis can it make me high?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid found in cannabis. As long as you buy CBD extracted from hemp and not marijuana it should only contain trace amounts of THC, 0.3% or less. This maximum amount is considered to be non-psychoactive and should not cause a high, even if the entire product is consumed at once. (We do not recommend taking the entire bottle of any nutrient all at once.) Natural Grocers only carries CBD products extracted from hemp. It is important to note that because these products are extracted from plants the amount of THC will vary from product to product, however the maximum amount of THC, CBD products are allowed to contain, is 0.3% and many contain less than that. We require a certificate of analysis from all of our vendors that proves their products contain 0.3% THC or less.

What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?

Hemp and marijuana are different varieties of Cannibas sativa, just as cara cara and navel oranges are different varieties of Citrus sinesis. Since they are different varieties they have different properties and traits. The biggest difference between them is the amount of naturally occurring THC in the plant.  Hemp contains a very low amount of THC, 0.3% or less. Whereas, marijuana is abundant in THC and can contain anywhere from 15% to 40%. Additionally, marijuana has been selectively bred over the years into multiple varieties that contain various amounts of THC with a focus on increasing its psychoactive properties. Hemp, on the other hand, contains an insignificant amount of THC, but contains large amounts of CBD. Hemp has been bred to be used in foods (hemp seed oil, hemp seeds, and hemp protein), dietary supplements (CBD, hemp seed oil and hemp seed protein powders), skin products (hemp seed oil and CBD), clothing (hemp fiber) and paper (hemp fiber), thus, it has been bred to keep the THC content low, 0.3% or less, a level that is non-psychoactive.

Is CBD extracted using hexane and are residues of hexane present in the final product?

There are multiple extraction methods used to obtain CBD from hemp. Some of them utilize harsh solvents like hexane and in these cases there is the potential for hexane residues to be present in the final product.  At Natural Grocers we do not sell CBD products extracted with hexane. Instead all of the products we sell use non-toxic and more environmentally friendly extraction processes, such as supercritical carbon dioxide—also known as CO2 extraction— or ethanol. 
 
Is CBD legal? Although the 2018 Farm Bill effectively legalized all products made from hemp, including CBD, by removing hemp from the Federal list of controlled substances this did not make CBD legal in all states. The bill allows states to pass their own legislation regarding the legality of CBD. Currently only some states have established the sale of CBD products as legal.  
 
Will I fail a drug test if I take CBD? There have been anecdotal reports of people failing drug tests after taking CBD. Since CBD extracted from hemp can contain trace amounts of THC (0.3% or less) there is a possibility that you could test positive for marijuana use on a drug test, especially if you are taking large amounts of high potency CBD. If you are concerned about this issue please consult with a health care provider familiar with CBD products prior to consuming them.