CB2 oil vs CBD oil: what is the difference?
4 min read · Terpene Republic
The names look alike and the confusion is understandable, so here is the plain version.
| Cannanda CB2 oil | CBD oil | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hemp seed oil (a food) carrying a terpene blend built around beta-caryophyllene | An extract of the cannabis plant's flowers and leaves containing the cannabinoid cannabidiol |
| Contains CBD? | Not a CBD product. No added CBD: the hemp seed oils carry only the natural trace from the seed; Wellness and Cool: No CBD | Yes, by definition |
| Contains THC? | No added THC: a natural trace in the hemp seed oils; Wellness and Cool: No THC | Trace amounts in most products |
| Legal status in Australia | A food; sold without prescription | Schedule 4 (prescription) or Schedule 3 (pharmacist-only, low dose) medicine |
| Legal status in New Zealand | A food; sold without prescription | Prescription medicine; low-dose CBD pharmacist-only |
| Named after | The CB2 receptor, which beta-caryophyllene binds | The molecule cannabidiol |
They are not substitutes for each other
We do not describe CB2 oil as an "alternative to CBD", and neither should anyone selling it in Australia or New Zealand. They are different products, regulated differently, with different ingredients. CB2 oil is not a medicine and is not a replacement for one. If you have been prescribed CBD, keep taking what your doctor prescribed.
Why the name, then?
Cannanda coined "CB2 oil" in 2016 because its product was formulated around beta-caryophyllene's action at the CB2 receptor. The name has since been copied by other brands, some of which contain little or no beta-caryophyllene at all. If you are comparing products, the question to ask is not "is it CB2 oil?" but "how much beta-caryophyllene is in it, and who tested it?"
Cannanda CB2 products are foods and aromatherapy products, not medicines. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication, talk to your healthcare practitioner.