At 4 Corners Cannabis, we normally make complete spectrum products, so why make THC-free products at all? It’s a valid question. Some people just dislike the thought of having THC in their system. Others could lose jobs and countless other opportunities by testing positive for ANY amount of THC in their system. For those folks, THC-free products make all the difference. We think they deserve to cash in on some of the benefits of CBD as well.
Where do THC-Free Products Come From?
THC-Free CBD oil comes from the same hemp plants that our complete spectrum oils do. It just requires a few extra steps in the manufacturing process.
All recreational CBD products on the market today are required to have less than 0.03% THC in them. This is the legal limit that separates hemp from other strains of cannabis. This means that even our complete spectrum CBD has a very low quantity of THC to start with.
To remove the last of the THC from our products, we still use our normal hemp. The hemp does require extra distillation and refinement though. Here’s a brief walkthrough of that process:
How We Extract the THC from our CBD Oil
To make THC-free products, we must distill our hemp extract and have the THC remediated. This means that many of the same steps our complete spectrum CBD goes through so do our THC-Free products. It comes from the same homegrown, high-quality, and pheno optimized plants as the rest of our products.
First, the hemp extract goes into a barrel-shaped chamber called a round-bottom boiling flask. Then, a heating element raises the temperature of the hemp extract, causing different cannabinoids and compounds to evaporate at different temperatures.
As these compounds condense, they deposit into a series of flasks that are connected via glass tubing. From there, the oil runs through a liquid chromatography process that separates THC from the other cannabinoids.
As with all of our products, before our THC-free product gets to your doorstep we have a third-party lab test done, guaranteeing that we removed all of the THC from these tinctures.
Who is THC-free CBD Oil right for?
There are actually several reasons why our THC-free line might be the right choice for you. The most common one is drug testing, but a few of the others commonly surprise people and they are glad we brought it up!
Drug Testing for Work or Athletics
When using any product containing any amount of THC, even topicals, drug tests can come back positive for THC. Make yourself aware of your organization’s drug testing protocols and be sure to choose your CBD product accordingly.
If you serve in the armed forces, law enforcement, or work as a first responder of any kind, your employer will undoubtedly subject you to a drug test at some point in time. You can also be tested if you have a CDL, work a hazardous job, or if any incident happens on the job and during work hours that requires a drug test. THC-free products may be the right alternative for you if any of the above apply.
Many doping agencies for sports will also test for THC in random blood tests. While the rules for each are different, this is still frowned on by many organizations, including the Olympics and most professional and collegiate level athletic programs.
Complying with Law Enforcement
Some individuals have to drug test frequently for legal reasons. Whether they are out on parole or just fulfilling the stipulations of a minor sentence, they can’t have THC in their system at any time or for any reason.
In this case, just like in the case of a work or sport random drug test, there is no reason to risk even a CBD product from hemp (0.03% THC). With our THC-free products on the market, you have a way to completely avoid CBD.
Flavor (or lack thereof)
Many people love CBD, but can’t stand the hempy flavor that comes through in so many products. This flavor, along with any aroma, actually leaves the extract for the most part during the distillation process. Many of our tinctures have some sort of flavoring added to the product to help mask or overcome the bitterness of hemp.
Since terpenes are the primary source for hemp’s flavor and fragrance, and they evaporate before any other compounds, the resulting distillate lacks the terpenes’ taste and smell. If you are looking for a tasty alternative to your normal CBD regimen, a THC-free product may be just the thing you need.
Potential Drawbacks of Removing THC
There is one potential drawback to removing THC, terpenes, and other components of the hemp plant from the final product.
While not proven, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that CBD products are at their most beneficial when all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and plant material are left intact. This theory, known as The Entourage Effect, has quite a backing.
Like many other things with CBD, more research needs to be done to assess the validity of the Entourage Effect, but it is something worth mentioning!
THC-Free CBD Products – Summary
Although we still believe firmly in the full-spectrum approach, we feel that everyone deserves access to CBD products. We pride ourselves in the fact that we have options for an even wider range of customers now. You can check out our THC-free Choco-Mint Tincture, THC-free Coconut Citrus Tincture, and THC-free Salve at our shop page!
