After Oklahoma voters authorized the state’s medical marijuana program in 2018, consumers have become more curious about their options. Medical marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa plant and contains many active compounds, like delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and cannabidiol, or CBD.
These compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, but they have very different effects.
What’s the difference between THC and CBD? Here’s what to know about the compounds.
What’s the difference between CBD and THC?
THC, short for Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a “high” sensation. It can be consumed by smoking but also through methods including oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and more.
The use of medical marijuana has not been approved by the FDA, and further study is needed to determine whether it’s safe.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is derived directly from the hemp plant, which a report from Harvard University calls, “a cousin of marijuana.” The compound does not cause a “high” effect, unlike THC, which is the primary ingredient in marijuana that causes this effect.
The usual CBD formulation is oil, according to Mayo Clinic, but it’s also sold as an extract, a vaporized liquid and an oil-based capsule.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved one drug containing CBD, Epidiolex, because it was determined the benefits outweigh the risks.
More:How do I get a medical marijuana card in Oklahoma? What to know…
