Frequently Asked Questions - Cornerstone Botanicals

With the emergence of CBD and hemp oil products onto the scene, there have also been an abundance of questions and concerns to arise among those curious about using CBD for bettering their own health and wellness.

While there are certainly no shortage of news articles, blogs, and other pieces of content floating around the internet surrounding CBD, we want our customers to learn the truth about CBD, so that they can fully understand how to properly use it for improving their quality of life.

In order to provide some clarity, the following are some of the most frequently asked questions we have discovered and answers from the team here at our Colorado CBD shop — Cornerstone Botanicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CBD and THC?

CBD is a cannabinoid found in both cannabis and hemp plants with a multitude of beneficial properties for regulating physical and mental health and no psychoactive effects.

THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid compound found most prominently in cannabis plants and is what’s known for causing the “high.” Hemp can contain traces of THC, but it is grown to contain minimal amounts.

THC - Psychoactive

When THC is ingested, it binds to the body’s CB1 receptors, changing how brain cells operate, which, in turn, leads to the psychoactive or “high” feeling.

CBD - Non-Psychoactive

CBD does not bind to CB1 receptors, and it actually works as an antagonist against compounds that do. It suppresses the CB1-activating qualities of compounds like THC.

How is CBD oil made?

CBD oils are obtained from the hemp plant using an extraction method such as ethanol or CO2.

This involves filtering the hemp plants through a series of chambers which control the temperature and pressure. When different temperatures levels and amounts of pressure are applied to the hemp plants, the isolated CBD-rich oils are able to be extracted at a high purity. This CBD extract along with the other natural, beneficial properties of the hemp oil are then combined with other ingredients in order to form hemp oil products

Do I need a prescription to take CBD?

CBD oil products which are derived from the hemp plant do not require a prescription, and they are legal to purchase from CBD shops online like ours from anywhere in the country! Think of them is any other health supplement you can pick up over the counter at your local drug store.

Does CBD interact with other medications?

While taking CBD oils with other forms of pharmaceutical medications has yet to show any detrimental side effects, CBD can interact with medications. This is because CBD influences the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system in the liver, which plays a major role in metabolizing certain drugs. Using CBD alongside other supplements does not lead to the long list of side effects that the combining of other drugs usually entails, but it can have an impact on the potency and power of your other medications.

This means depending on the medication, CBD can either facilitate the effects or interfere with it being metabolized as quickly and being capable of working as effectively. If you are prescribed any medication that is processed by the liver, you should consult with your doctor to see how CBD oil products may potentially influence the efficacy of your other medications.

How much CBD should I take?

Dosing your CBD depends on what condition you are intending to treat with your CBD oil products as well as how your body interacts with the CBD. As a general rule of thumb, always start low and go slow. Increasing your CBD dosage gradually until you find the right amount for your specific wellness needs ensures you get the most of each of your CBD oil products. Learn more about CBD oil dosage.

What is the best way to take CBD?

At Cornerstone Botanicals, we offer are a variety of hemp oil products that are rich in CBD content, and there are even more forms entering the market on a continual basis. Choosing which way to take your CBD supplements is up to personal preference. Whether you choose to ingest CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue) via tinctures, vape CBD, blend CBD extract into a food or beverage, or consume CBD capsules or edibles — the possibilities are endless for implementing CBD into your daily routine. CBD oil products for skin are also another way to use CBD and receive different and exciting benefits. Learn more about taking CBD oil.

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are organic compounds that can be found in many plants, contributing to their flavor, scent, and color. They're the foundation for essential oils and are used frequently in foods, perfumes, aromatherapy, and many more products on the market today. The terpenes that are found in the hemp plant are known to have properties that contribute to the Entourage Effect that you can receive from taking CBD oil products. There are hundreds of types of terpenes that exist in the different breeds of plants, but the most abundant types of terpenes found in hemp and cannabis plants are known as myrcene and limonene.

Myrcene has a musky, earthy scent.

Limonene features a potent citrus scent that's also known for giving acidic fruits their smell.

What does full-spectrum mean?

Full-spectrum refers to the hemp oil extraction process that retains all of the other cannabinoids, exceptional flavors, aromas, terpenes, and beneficial components of the hemp plant outside of the CBD compound itself. Outside of CBD, the hemp plant contains CBDA, CBG, CBGA, CBC, CBCA, and many more cannabinoids.

At Cornerstone Botanicals, the vast majority of our CBD oil products are derived from full spectrum hemp extract.

What is the Entourage Effect?

When all of the elements of full-spectrum CBD oil extract combine with one another, they are known to provide more potent effects than if administered on their own. This is because compounds that would otherwise be inactive become active when they interact with CBD, terpenes, and the other components of CBD oil. The resulting benefits is what is referred to as the Entourage Effect.

Is CBD safe for pets?

Yes! Your furry friend has an endocannabinoid system just like us humans, meaning they are capable of receiving all of the benefits of CBD that you are. There are little to no side effects that have been noted from administering CBD to pets besides a slight drowsiness in some cases. The same rule for using CBD oil products yourself applies to dosing CBD for pets though — start low and go slow!

How much THC is in legal CBD?

In order to be legal to purchase nationwide, a CBD oil product must contain a concentration of less than .03 percent THC. Most hemp-extracted CBD, like the ones we provide in our CBD shop at Cornerstone Botanicals, has next to none.

Does CBD smell?

Standalone CBD does not have a very potent smell, but CBD oil products will have a smell due to their terpenes, flavonoids, and other natural botanicals. This smell is still completely different from cannabis, though. Some people have claimed that CBD has demonstrated a subtle vanilla, mint, or even pine scent in some cases.

What does hemp look like?

The hemp plant is tall, thin, and bright green with narrow, smooth leaves.

What does cannabis look like?

The cannabis plant is short, bushy, and dark green with wide, rough-edged leaves

What does CBD taste like?

Pure CBD oil with no additives has an earthy, nutty taste as it contains natural flavonoids from the hemp plant.

What is the Farm Bill?

The Farm Bill is an agricultural policy tool set in place by the federal government, which is renewed roughly every five years. The 2018 US Farm Bill removed the ambiguity around hemp farming and CBD oil production, allowing for it to be grown, cultivated, and processed for the making of CBD oil products and countless other hemp-derived products nationwide.

Prior to the passing of the new Farm Bill, Hemp was federally outlawed when it was included in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 passed by President FDR for its association with the cannabis plant. It was believed at the time that marijuana growers were using hemp as a cover operation for their cannabis cultivation.

What is the difference between measurements ml and mg?

Milliliters are units of volume, which is used to identify how much hemp oil is within a tincture bottle.

Milligrams are units of mass, and in terms of CBD, they refer to the amount of concentrated CBD extract is present within a given hemp oil product.

How is hemp grown?

Industrial hemp is an annual plant that is able to be grown in many different soil conditions, allowing it to be grown by farmers across the country. Hemp thrives the most in warmer climates and grows most efficiently in well-drained soils rich in organic matter. It is usually grown in fields at least 50 acres or larger similar to grain and other industrial crops. Hemp grows more abundantly than corn, yet it requires less water, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer, making it one of the most sustainable crops around.

At Cornerstone Botanicals, we utilize hemp grown locally in Colorado on certified organic hemp farms!