As the range of Cannabis and CBD products you see on the shelves while you’re out shopping continues to grow, sometimes it can be hard to keep up with all the buzz words. Whether you’re just cannacurious or a seasoned vet, the truth is, if you’re trying to figure out the difference between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and CBD isolate- you’re not alone! Yummi Karma and QTL Lab have teamed up to make it easy for you.
The key similarity that you want to keep in mind when shopping for these products is they are all concentrates. So why are there multiple types? And what makes them different? And the biggest questions, how can you tell them apart to ensure you are purchasing the right one for you? The answer lies in the ingredients.
Cannabis concentrates are cannabinoids (cannabis plant compounds) and terpenes (hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of plants) that have been extracted from the cannabis plant’s trichomes to give you a stronger dose of all the things you want from the plant. Trichomes are the glands of the cannabis plant that produce the beautiful colorful hairs and sparkly, sticky crystals you find on your bud and produce the effects of consumption.
So, what this means is, when you buy any kind of concentrate product, keep in mind that the manufacturer has done their best in the extraction process (taking the plant and turning it into a concentrate) to pick and choose which plant properties complement each other well. The act of these plant properties working together is called the entourage effect.
Just remember, Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and CBD isolate are terms used to indicate the amount of therapeutic chemicals that are naturally produced by and found in the cannabis plant.
CBD Isolate is just what it sounds like- it’s isolated CBD! It is pure CBD that hasn’t been mixed with any other terpenes or flavonoids. CBD Isolate products don’t have any ingredients with intoxicating properties, so they won’t get you high. For those new to plant medicine, THC is the psychoactive property in the cannabis plant that produces the high associated with consuming weed. CBD Isolates are the products you typically find at health food shops, online and at some dispensaries.
Broad Spectrum is a little trickier to define. Broad Spectrum generally indicates that the natural plant matter has been removed. But from there, products can fall into two categories which can sometimes confuse people. The two categories depend on whether a product is hemp-derived (“CBD-only”) or cannabis-derived. When referring to CBD-only products, broad spectrum means that it only contains CBD, but when referring to cannabis-derived products, broad spectrum refers to products containing THC, terpenes, and flavonoids, with plant matter removed. These products have the potential to have a better range of benefits than Isolates because Broad Spectrum products can include other cannabinoids besides CBD, like CBN which can be used for relaxing before bed or CBG which studies have shown can help fight inflammation. This brings up an important point about the cannabis industry- as legalization rolls out and new studies are made, standards are ever changing! That’s why it is so crucial as a consumer to continue to do your own research as time goes on and more data is available and educate yourself using reputable sources.
Full Spectrum products are the ones you most commonly see in your dispensary of choice, because you need to purchase it from a licensed retailer who can prove the product has passed all statemandated lab safety testing. These products tend to be the most flavorful and have the widest variety of possible effects because of our favorite key ingredient- tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
So whether you are shopping for a product with specific cannabinoids or are just looking for a new way to enjoy your high, be sure to check out Yummi Karma’s full range of tasty products!
Here’s the breakdown:
FULL SPECTRUM:
BROAD SPECTRUM:
CBD ISOLATE:
View our Plain Jane CBD Products
You can find Yummi Karma’s full line of products here¨or visit our Weedmaps page
To learn more about Quality Testing lab: www.qtllab.com
Yummi Karma and Quality Testing Lab are both woman-owned cannabis companies located in theOrange County Area. We are so proud to team up to bring you some tips of the cannabis game, soyou can feel empowered to make data backed decisions when you’re shopping! Have questions?Please contact us on Instagram at @YummiKarma or @QTL_LAB