Written by Sebastian Little

When you’re shopping for hemp-derived products, weed, or anything cannabis related, you might find yourself wondering what acronyms like CBD and THC even mean.

As two of the most popular cannabinoids that come from cannabis plants, both CBD and THC offer distinct benefits and effects.

Because each of these lovely compounds is present throughout our lines of expertly crafted flower, edibles, and concentrates, we put together this guide to the key differences between CBD and THC.

Shop a wide range of weed and cannabis products at Mood’s online dispensary. Subscribe for recurring shipments and save 15%.

Table of Contents

• An Introduction To Cannabinoids

  • CBG: The Mother of All Cannabinoids

• CBD 101

  • Where Does CBD Come From?

  • How People Use CBD

  • CBD’s Legality

• THC 101

  • Delta-9 THC and The Farm Bill

  • THCa

  • Other Forms of THC

• 5 Key Differences Between THC and CBD

  • Effects

  • Legality

  • Uses

  • Extraction

  • Role

• Mood Cannabis Products To Enjoy

An Introduction To Cannabinoids

Known as a group of substances found in the cannabis plant, phytocannabinoids are compounds that bond with the body’s endocannabinoid system when consumed.

Over 100 cannabinoids have been identified to date, with THC and CBD being the most well-known and frequently prioritized in the world of recreational cannabis.

Some cannabinoids produce psychoactive effects, while others don’t.

The various forms of THC, for example, either have psychoactive side effects or convert to forms that do.

Hemp-derived CBD products, on the other hand, are known for being non-psychoactive.

Check out this 1:1 THC and CBD Oil Tincture (900mg) for a balanced, chill high. One tincture is only $69 at our online dispensary. Subscribe and save 15%.

CBG: The Mother of All Cannabinoids

While the raw cannabis plant produces trace amounts of THC and CBD, cannabigerol (CBG) exists in higher concentrations in younger cannabis plants.

Because both CBD and THC derive from CBG, it’s considered “the mother of all cannabinoids.”

As the cannabis plant ages, CBGA naturally converts to THCa, which is the acidic precursor to Delta-9 THC, which is the most famous form of THC.

CBG also evolves into CBDA as the plant matures, which converts to CBD.

We’ll delve deeper into the extraction and conversion processes that result in the forms of CBD and THC present in our products in a bit.

CBD 101

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most utilized and talked-about cannabinoids there is.

More well-known for its calming and rejuvenating influences, it stands as the non-psychoactive counterpoint to THC.

Where Does CBD Come From?

First and foremost, CBD and THC come from the hemp plant, like all of their cannabinoid counterparts.

While CBDA naturally derives from CBGA, scientists extract CBD for oils and concentrates using a variety of methods similar to those used for THC products.

Here are some of the more common examples of CBD extraction methods:

• Solvent Extraction

• Hydrocarbon Extraction

• Ethanol Extraction

• Steam Distillation

• Hydrodynamic Cannabis Extraction

How People Use CBD

There is a wide range of CBD products available across a variety of industries.

It’s used as a wellness solution that can come in the form of liquid extracts, topicals, flower, and studied for its health effects.

We can’t speak to any wellness benefits of hemp or CBD because that’s not our field, but we encourage you to check reliable, qualified resources for any inquiries about health conditions, mental health, or what you need to know about the use of cannabis or CBD.

Scientists and researchers study CBD for a range of potential health benefits that they believe extend from the mind throughout the body.

CBD is also present in products rich with THC, designed for psychoactive effects.

While CBD itself isn’t psychoactive, it can serve as a great complement to the heady side effects of THC.

For example, indica-dominant hybrids tend to have a more level balance of THC and CBD than sativa-dominant plants. Many attribute this to indica’s sleepier, calmer, more body-based effects to its relatively higher concentrations of CBD.

Grab a 10-count of Pure Relief CBD Gummies for just $39 from the Mood Shop. Subscribe and save 15%.

CBD’s Legality

CBD is legal in most places and the leading cannabinoid bringing hemp products to the world at large.

In the United States, it stands alongside every cannabinoid besides Delta-9 THC in being permissible at any volume within a given product without compromising its compliance with the Farm Bill.

Caked in CBD kief, an eighth of these THCa Moonrocks is available for $49 at the Mood Shop. Subscribe and save 15%.

THC 101

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is arguably the most famous cannabinoid, and that’s because of its psychoactive properties.

The truth is THC can’t be summed up in such a singular way because it exists in many different forms.

When people talk about THC in relation to cannabis prohibition or getting high, they’re almost certainly talking about Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Delta-9 THC and The Farm Bill

Distinguishing between Delta-9 THC and other forms of THC took on a new meeting when the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (commonly known as the Farm Bill) was passed.

This historic piece of legislation removed hemp from the federal government’s list of controlled substances. It also defined “hemp” products as cannabis with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.

This definition opened up a world of space for cannabis creations rich with other cannabinoids to be bought and sold as Farm Bill-compliant, legal goods.

Why is Delta-9 THC singled out?

The human body is outfitted with what’s called an endocannabinoid system, which features cannabinoid receptors. Known as CB1 receptors, they bond with phytocannabinoids from the hemp plant when they enter the body.

THC, CBD, and the other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant we’ve been talking about here are those phytocannabinoids.

When phytocannabinoids bond with the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system, they deliver feelings of euphoria and ease to the central nervous system.

The classic blend of cannabinoids in what’s become known as marijuana is rich in Delta-9 THC, so that’s the cannabinoid that was singled out in the Farm Bill.

There are cannabinoids similar to Delta-9 THC that are Farm Bill-compliant at any volume and that can stimulate your central nervous system. There’s also one that literally turns into Delta-9 THC.

THCa

The acidic precursor to Delta-9 THC, THCa, exists in small amounts in younger cannabis plants and then develops from aging CBG as time goes on.

By working with expert growers who have developed proprietary genetics over years of experimenting, we’ve created cannabis flowers that are rich with THCa. And completely Farm Bill compliant.

THCa is not psychoactive. When you burn it or heat it — like by vaping or smoking — it becomes more potent.

Other Forms of THC

THCa and Delta-9 THC are just a couple of the forms of THC that exist.

Here are a few more examples, which you can find sprinkled in Mood products across the board:

• Delta-8 THC

• Delta-10 THC

• THCp

• THCv

When Delta-9 THC works in tandem with other forms of THC and cannabinoids beyond CBD, the cumulative vibe is known as the entourage effect.

Full-spectrum cannabis enthusiasts prefer the more wholesome high such products provide.

Check out the product details for any of the cannabis goods available at Mood’s online dispensary to read and learn about cannabinoids and how they balance each other out.

For a dynamic selection, check out this 1g Hero Dose Delta-8 THC Blueberry Diesel Disposable Vape for $45 at the Mood Shop. It contains Delta-8 THC, HHC, THCp, and HHCp for a joyous high.

The Difference Between CBD and THC: Potency, Effects & Legality

1. Effects

THC, for the most part, provides a high that’s made it famous around the world for thousands of years.

Different strains provide different effects, and a wide range of factors play into how it might make a person feel, but generally, THC is associated with euphoria, hunger, and laughter.

CBD is known to be calming and relaxing. It’s studied for its soothing qualities and used in a wide variety of ways.

2. Legality

The Farm Bill qualifies hemp as cannabis with no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Beyond that, this form of THC would not be compliant.

CBD, on the other hand, can exist in high doses in a cannabis product without affecting its Farm Bill compliance.

Similar to CBD, other forms of THC like Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC are not limited in terms of how present they can be in hemp products. Of course, state laws vary and everyone should refer to their local institutions for clarity.

3. Uses

THC is more often sought out for the high you can enjoy by consuming it. Therefore, you’ll often see products with higher amounts of THC, like flower, edibles, and vapes.

CBD is more used as a baseline cannabinoid in wellness products that can take the form of topicals, CBD oil, extracts, and also flower, edibles, and vapes.

4. Extraction

THC comes to be in all sorts of different ways. Delta-9 THC can derive from THCa, and Delta-8 THC can derive from Delta-9 via processes like isomerization or distillation.

CBD is sourced using a range of extraction methods similar to those listed above, such as hydrocarbon extraction and ethanol extraction.

5. Role

CBD and THC are both valuable cannabinoids that provide complementary effects.

While THC produces psychoactive effects, the effects of CBD are more physical and can soothe the body and add a wide range of other potential benefits.

Mood Cannabis Products To Enjoy

These are some Mood products that can put you in touch with each of these amazing cannabinoids.

Sexual Euphoria Gummies

A healthy blend of THC and CBD can help you and your loved one get in a sensual mood.

These gummies feature healthy amounts of each, with natural libido-enhancing supplements like Korean red ginseng and maca root added to the mix. Mixing 5mg of Delta-9 THC with 10mg of broad-spectrum CBD and some THCv and THCp too, these gummies are great for a relaxed and cozy night.

Get a 30-count of Sexual Euphoria THC Gummies for only $69 at our online dispensary today. Subscribe and save 15%.

An Indica-Hybrid Pre-Roll

Designed for a restful calm, this pre-roll contains potent flower with notes of orange and diesel across its flavorful terpene profile. Leaning 80/20 in the direction of indica, this hybrid should feature a more balanced mixture of CBD and THC cannabinoids. It’s a cross between Atlas Star and Cotton Candy strains.

Get a 1g Top Gun Pre-Roll from Mood’s online dispensary for only $16 today. Subscribe and save 15%.

Calming Full-Spectrum CBD

Unlike THC products, this compact and convenient CBD oil tincture is a great source of healing, not a high. Featuring a total of 83mg of CBD, it balances out the hemp-derived concentrate with MCT oil, natural tropical flavors, and organic vanilla, among other expertly sourced ingredients and cannabis-derived compounds. It comes with a 5ml dropper, which equates to a single serving.

One of the best CBD products you can find, this Ultimate Rapid Relief CBD Tincture (5000mg) at the Mood Shop for only $99. Subscribe and save 15%.

Discover more cannabis rich with different forms of THC and CBD throughout Mood’s online dispensary.

Prices subject to change.