Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Oil

WHAT IS HEMP DERIVED CANNABINOID OIL?

Cannabidiol or CBD is a promising phytocannabinoid found in agricultural hemp. … CBD oil extracted from agricultural hemp does not result in feelings of euphoria, as opposed to marijuana-derived CBD, which contains a psychoactive chemical compound called THC. Hemp–derived CBD oil does offer health benefits.

WHAT IT THE ENDOCANNAINOID SYSTEM?

“The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors located in the mammalian brain and throughout the main and peripheral nervous systems, including neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors.” Wikipedia. There are 2 primary kinds of receptors in the ECS, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are mainly found in the main nerve system and brains of mammals, and CB2 are normally found in the peripheral anxious system. There are two main cannabinoids mammals produce- 2AG and Anandamide (called after the Sanskrit term “ananda” which translates to “peace”). For hundreds of millions of years every vertebrate on Earth has actually been equipped with this ECS, a vital system in the body, and it has been learnt about in the clinical and medical communities since the 1980’s. Nevertheless, it’s still not taught about in most medical schools.

HOW DOES CBD WORK?

The human body is self-regulating. When you become too hot, your body produces sweat to cool you down. When your blood sugar becomes elevated after a meal, your body secretes insulin to lower it. And when you become dehydrated, your body sends your brain thirst signals so you drink water STAT. Like a tightrope walker, it’s constantly shifting to keep balanced and healthy – a process called homeostasis. One way our bodies maintain homeostasis is via the  Endocannabinoid System.

Discovered in 1992, the ECS is made up of receptors on cell membranes that regulate a variety of processes including eating, sleeping, relaxation and cognition. The ECS also assists in the body’s overall recovery and repair. It’s like your body’s “master control.” CB1 receptors are found mainly in the brain and spinal cord, while CB2 receptors are concentrated in immune cells in the peripheral nervous system.

Our bodies naturally produce compounds called “endocannabinoids” (endo = inside) that bind to those receptors, like a key fitting into a lock. CBD is a plant-based cannabinoid – or phytocannabinoid (phyto = plant) – that acts upon cell receptors in a similar way. Once the key (cannabinoid) is inside the lock (cell receptor), our body’s ability to maintain ideal health is “unlocked.” But there’s more! CBD also prevents the breakdown of a key endocannabinoid called anandamide (also known as the “bliss molecule”) allowing it to build up to higher, more effective levels.

CBD & YOUR HEALTH

Many medical studies show that CBD has potential for benefiting human and animal health via its connection to the Endocannabinoid System. While research is ongoing, it’s fair to say CBD is capable of affecting almost every biological process in your body as it acts upon your CB1 and CB2 cell receptors (and helps your natural endocannabinoids work their magic as well). Many people are using CBD products for supplementing their good health and for addressing specific health issues. We encourage you to do your own research, consult with healthcare providers familiar with CBD and use the following websites as resources as newly published research is coming out in real time.

IS CBD LEGAL?

It’s hard to give a short answer to a complex question. Let’s start by making an important distinction: hemp is legal, whereas marijuana (in most states) is not. With regard to CBD hemp oil, it isn’t quite so black and white. There are a number of overlapping pieces of legislation – and a lot of opinions – surrounding the legality of CBD.

INTERPRETATION OF LAWS

  • First, CBD can be derived from either marijuana or industrial hemp. Marijuana has a high level of the psychoactive compound THC, while industrial hemp contains little to no THC.
  • Second, the DEA’s list of schedule 1 controlled substances specifically includes marijuana and marijuana extract, but does not include industrial hemp or CBD. In fact, the CSA specifically exempts hemp derived from mature seeds and stalks that contains less than 0.3% THC.
  • Third, to our knowledge, CBD derived from hemp is currently being sold in all 50 states. Some states appear to view CBD from industrial hemp differently than CBD from marijuana.
  • Fourth, while marijuana is a schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, hemp and hemp-derived CBD fit the exception under 21 U.S.C. § 802(16) which provides that a substance derived from the plant Cannabis sativa L. is not marijuana if it contains less than 0.3% THC and comes from “the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks,” and so forth. Barlean’s CBD meets the exception to the definition of marijuana under 21 U.S.C. § 802(16).
  • Fifth, CBD products made from industrial hemp are generally regarded as legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight and were grown on farms sanctioned under a State’s Industrial Hemp Research Pilot (IHRP) project. These pilot projects were authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014, aka the 2014 Farm Bill.

Web Divider LineCBD products made from industrial hemp are generally regarded as legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight and were grown on farms sanctioned under a State’s Industrial Hemp Research Pilot (IHRP) project. 
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HEMP FARMING ACT OF 21018

Not to be confused with the 2014 Farm Bill, the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was introduced on the federal level by Senator Mitch McConnell in April of 2018 and is being referred to as the Dream Bill by hemp advocates. This is because the bill will legalize hemp as far as the DEA is concerned by eliminating any requirement to source hemp from particular parts of the cannabis plant and, instead, remove hemp and hemp-derived products from the definition of marijuana based solely on whether the product contains less than 0.3% THC. The bill specifically de-schedules all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids and seeds of hemp as long as those portions remain below 0.3% THC, which will clear up the confusing grey area we are currently navigating with respect to the DEA. Provisions from this bill have also been added to the 2018 Farm Bill.

SHIPPING TO ALL 50 States

This is another area of some confusion as laws vary from state to state, so let’s take a step back and remember: states, in crafting their CBD and hemp laws, look to federal law. We believe the correct interpretation of federal law is that hemp and CBD are legal federally. They are legal with respect to the DEA because our hemp-derived CBD meets the current carve-out from the Controlled Substances Act’s definition of marijuana. Hempfx CBD from Youngevity is legal with respect to the FDA because the Farm Bill provides that hemp and CBD derived from a lawful Industrial Hemp Pilot Program is lawful to the extent it complies with that state’s laws.