the country without much regulation. Many of the claims attributed to CBD oil are not unfounded, yet it is important to remember that it is not a panacea and common sense should be applied when working with these oils. As with all herbal products, it is important to know your source and ask about growing practices, pesticide use, and application and extraction methods.
Not only are many of the claims about cannabinoid profiles spurious, there are also significant health concerns with ingestion. Cannabis is an effective phytoremediator, which means it draws heavy metals and other toxins out of the soil. Tests have shown that THC may concentrate these heavy metals so it is very important to know the source of the cannabis in the products you purchase. Cannabis also contains iron and there is some concern about iron levels and consumption.
The lack of regulation of cannabis has allowed producers of cannabis oil to sell medical and retail cannabis products with solvent and pesticide residue, adulterants, and contaminants. Edible cannabis products are usually made with solvent-extracted hash oil. Besides the residual solvent and pesticides, they may also contain GMO ingredients, refined flours or sugar, and other unhealthy ingredients.
It is also important to remember that flavored cannabis products often contain hexane-extracted terpenoids that were added after the fact, as is popular within the food industry. A better approach would be to breed cannabis for specific terpenoid profiles instead of adding them.
Inhaled cannabis oil products like vape pen cartridges often contain propylene glycol as an additive and the cannabis oil itself is often solvent- or CO2-extracted. Residual solvent left in the product is always a concern, as inexperienced people are making the extractions in unregulated laboratories. With CO2 extract, it is important to know what pesticides were used to avoid contamination in the products.
Conclusion
As our understanding about phytocannabinoids and their potential interactions with other plant compounds and with our endocannabinoid system evolves, so will the marketplace for cannabis products. There is still much to discover about how phytocannabinoids and terpenoids interact with our own ECS. With the potential for pesticide and solvent residue prevalent in current products, there is a need for more education, discernment, and common sense when choosing safe products, especially for clients with debilitating conditions and weakened immune systems. The potential for cannabis to heal is evident in the regulatory pathways stimulated by this plant, but before purchasing from any supplier, make sure you learn where the plant material came from and which solvents were used for extraction, and obtain a certificate of analysis and any other laboratory testing reports available. Only with the highest standards can we realize the full healing potential of cannabis for our clients.
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