UNDERSTANDING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HEMP, CBD, AND TERPENES
Hemp-derived cannabinol ingredients such as CBD, all come from industrial Hemp plants. These hemp plants are different from marijuana plants – sometimes simply referred to as cannabis plants in markets where either legal medicinal and/or recreational sales are available – in appearance. Hemp plants are lean and sparce with foliage and marijuana plants are thick and lush. However, both can produce CBD and other All-Natural Hemp-Based cannabinols through extraction.
Hemp is differentiated from marijuana by its levels of THC, the cannabinoid that possesses intoxicating properties. Under U.S. law, a hemp plant must contain no more than .3% THC. In 2018 Farm Bill was passed and Industrial Hemp was removed from the government’s list of controlled substances. Hemp-derived cannabinoid compounds became legal in all fifty states. In 2023, the DEA issued a clear stance on an adjacent issue of synthetic cannabinoids, otherwise known as THCO, specifically citing that because these are not naturally occurring compounds therefore are prohibited. This stance further reenforces that All-Natural Hemp-Based cannabinoids devoid of any synthetic contributor are legal in all fifty states.
UNDERSTANDING ALL-NATURAL HEMP-BASED THC, THCV, CBD, CBN, CBG AND OTHER FLOWER-POWERED COMPOUNDS:
ALL-NATURAL HEMP AND CBD EXPLAINED
Hemp and marijuana are two varieties of the cannabis plant. Cannabis can be both marijuana and hemp, THC and CBD are in both marijuana and hemp. Marijuana contains much more THC than hemp, while hemp has higher concentrations of CBD. Hemp, or Industrial Hemp, is a botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars. It is important to understand that Cannabis itself is a greater genus of flowering plants in the family of Cannabaceae and this large family of botanicals is still being actively document as the number of species within the genus is disputed. This can lead to some confusion considering that the plant itself is known as hemp, although this specific term is often used to refer only to varieties of the cannabis plant cultivated for purposes separate of the state by state legal medicinal or recreational offerings. Hemp can be used for fiber, seeds, and oils as an input into any number of finished products. In fact it was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber over 50,000 years ago.
Within the cannabis plant are compounds called cannabinoids. There are more than 100 of these chemicals in cannabis and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Keeping this in mind, CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis products. The type of cannabis used in individual state medicinal or recreational markets is specifically chemotype I Cannabis whereas Industrial Hemp encompasses chemotypes II, III, IV, V. Whereas both Cannabis and Industrial Hemp are both Cannabis sativa and contain the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), they represent distinct cultivar groups complete with unique phytochemical compositions and uses. Industrial Hemp typically has lower concentrations of total THC and may have higher concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD). The body also has an endocannabinoid system which houses two types of cannabinoid receptors in our bodies. THC binds with receptors – mostly in the brain – that control pain, mood, and other feelings. This psychotropic reaction attributed to THC is what can make an individual feel euphoric or “high.”
CBD doesn’t cause that so-called mental euphoria or high. Instead, it’s thought to work to balance the endocannabinoid system to promote a positive physical balance leading to overall feelings of well-being, comfort, and relaxation.
The U.S. government defines marijuana plants as those which contain more than .3% THC. While THC is the prime cannabinoid derived from the marijuana plant, some strains of marijuana are also rich in CBD. Science allows for the ability to convert the natural cannabinoids found within Industrial Hemp to All-Natural Hemp-Based THC as long as it follows the strict guidelines of the 2018 Farm Bill with the total THC present in a finished product falling under 0.3% of the total THC present in the dry weight of the Industrial Hemp plant.
THCV EXPLAINED
THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a compound in this family of botanicals that offers a unique array of potential effects that sets it apart from other cannabinoids like THC and CBD. As its name suggests, THCV is similar to THC in molecular structure and psychoactive properties, but it provides a variety of pronounced and altogether different effects. THCV is known to produce a more motivated, alert and energizing feeling of euphoria without stimulating appetite and/or inducing what is traditionally thought of as “the munchies.”
CBN EXPLAINED
Cannabinol, or CBN, is a mildly psychoactive component found in the cannabis family of botanicals including Industry Hemp. Unlike many other cannabinoids, cannabinol (CBN) does not stem from cannabigerol (CBG). Instead, CBN is a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolite formed as cannabis ages. CBN’s effect, like the other cannabinoids, comes from its ability to bind to cannabinoid receptors that occur throughout the human body. There are two main cannabinoid receptors that scientists have identified: CB1 and CB2. CBN interacts weakly with the CB1 receptor and more strongly with the CB2 receptor. These receptors play a role in regulating a number of processes like appetite, mood, memory, and pain.
CBG EXPLAINED
As young cannabis plants mature and begin budding, various enzymes and compounds combine to create the precursor to CBG—also called an “early-phase” cannabinoid—called CBGA. CBGA is where all cannabinoids start; as the plant nears the end of its grow cycle and absorbs more and more UV light, CBGA breaks down and converts into THCA and CBDA, the acidic precursors to our two favorite and most prominent cannabinoids, THC and CBD. Unless bred to do so, in most cases, only a very small amount will become CBG.
Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% THC are federally legal. CBGA is present in both cannabis and hemp plants, and since it directly correlates to hemp plants’ CBG and CBD potency, farmers can derive CBG from hemp plants. In fact, numerous hemp farmers now breed and grow CBG-rich strains. CBG, like CBD, is non-intoxicating and does not impart a high, despite its connection to THC. CBG is known to have a positive effect on the endocannabinoid systems of individuals across mood, memory, pain, stress, and appetite.
TERPENES EXPLAINED
By now, many of us are familiar with a whole alphabet soup of things like THC, THCV, CBD, CBN, and CBG. It’s already a lot, but these cannabinoids are only part of what makes the All-Natural Hemp-Based inputs we use so powerful. Whether musky, peppery, skunky, or pungent – when it comes to plant-life, most people can smell it before they even see it. These are terpenes, the aromatic compounds that determine the scent of many flowers and herbs, doing their best work. Naturally occurring in all fragrant botanicals, terpenes are the primary elements of the essential oils in plants.
The cannabis family inclusive of Industrial Hemp contains more than 150 types of terpenes. Although most terpenes are present in only trace amounts, the more prominent ones team together to give diverse signature profiles that impact how things can both smell and taste. For example, pinene is also found in pine, limonene is found in citrus fruits, and myrcene is found in mangos. Therefore, cannabis plants that produce any of these terpenes will share some of the aromatic profiles of these plants. As a signature ingredient, they serve to supercharge flavor, odor, and color in a variety of nuanced ways.
Terpenes are naturally-occurring compounds found in the trichomes of female cannabis plants. Trichomes are sticky, translucent glands that cover the surface of buds, and in much smaller amounts, on leaves and stems. Critically, trichomes contain resin glands that produce terpenes. Besides producing distinctive aromas, these organic compounds also enrich color and pigmentation in leaves and buds, and contribute to the flavor of the plant.
Awareness of the aromatic properties of terpenes is not new. Humans have long harnessed the vibrant scents associated with terpenes to formulate essential oils for practices such as aromatherapy. For example, anyone who’s dabbed lavender oil —which contains the terpene linalool — behind their ears knows that it can potentially help you relax you.
All terpenes boast unique combinations of therapeutic properties and some of the effects terpenes have on humans are evocative of their function in cannabis and other plants — like helping to fight off unwelcome microbes and pathogens. In our case, they serve to supercharge flavor, deliver our signature nose (aka odor), and work alongside our use of novel cannabinoids to deliver a unique sensory experience.
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF NANOEMULSION TECHNOLOGY AND WATER-SOLUBILITY:
All-Natural Hemp-Based ingredients main form-factor is oil. Both the extraction process and the infusion is a key factor into proper consistency of a product.
Given that we start with an oil, it is only natural to wonder how we are able to get oil into water and create true water solubility. The answer in our case is nanoemulsion technology powered by Vertosa. A nanoemulsion is a dispersed homogenous mixture of two or more liquid substances that are naturally immiscible (aka unblendable). Our nanoemulsions unlock the potential of cannabinoids by transforming extracts into fast-acting, reliable, and stable ingredients. These stable nanoemulsions make the All-Natural Hemp-Based cannabinoid oils more bio-available and serve to “blend” across all of our water-soluble ingredients without falling out of suspension.
As part of our commitment to delivering the highest possible caliber of cannabinoid ingredients, our nanoemulsions deliver a super-rapid onset between 5 and 15 minutes depending upon the metabolism, biochemistry, and endocannabinoid system of the individual consumer. Through Vertosa Verified®, we ensure consistent and accurate potency and no contaminants or residues thanks to their expansive 3rd-party testing on all inputs and outputs across their cGMP certified facility.
UNDERSTANDING PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTS:
CGMP CERTIFIED TESTING
When we speak about testing and Certificate of Analysis (COA’s) we adhere strictly to the prescriptions and standards set out under the CGMP. CGMP* refers to the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA. CGMPs provide for systems that assure proper design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities.
CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
A Certificate of Analysis, or COA, is a document from an accredited laboratory that shows the quantity of various cannabinoids in a product. MAISON BLOOM working in collaboration with our partners, sends every batch of every product we make to an accredited lab for testing and those results can be found on the TESTING & SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION [ insert link to T&SV page ] section of this website. This testing is an important part of ensuring we are making the best possible products in the best possible ways and to product our customers through increased and effect transparency as to what is in each of the products we make.