Hemp 101: Simple Answers to Common Questions
1. What exactly is hemp?
Hemp is a classification of the plant Cannabis sativa L. cultivated for fiber, food, and non-intoxicating extracts. In the United States, hemp is federally defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% total THC by dry weight. (This is very low.) THC is the naturally occurring psychoactive compound in cannabis plants. Because hemp typically contains very little THC and higher levels of CBD, most CBD products are made from hemp. All CBD products at Herbal Edge are hemp derived and THC free.
2. How is hemp different from marijuana?
Hemp and marijuana can look alike, but hemp isn’t bred for intoxication - and if you smoke it expecting to get high, you’ll be disappointed. Its chemistry is very different from typical recreational cannabis. Hemp has been grown for industrial uses in the United States since colonial times.
Read more about the History of Hemp in the United States here.
3. What are cannabinoids, and why do people care about CBD, CBG, or CBC?
Cannabinoids are natural compounds produced by the hemp plant and by many other plants as well. Each cannabinoid interacts with the body in its own way, which is why researchers study them so closely. One example is Epidiolex, an FDA-approved prescription medication that uses isolated CBD as its active ingredient.
4. What is the difference between full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate?
Colloquially these terms describe the intended chemical makeup of a CBD product. “Full spectrum” typically means the extract contains all the naturally occurring compounds from the hemp plant, including THC. “Broad spectrum” refers to products that contain all the same compounds minus THC. “Isolate” refers to a single purified compound from hemp separated from the rest of the plant.
5. What is the "entourage effect?"
The “entourage effect” is a hypothesis based on research suggesting that multiple cannabinoids may influence each other when present together, compared to isolated compounds. In the CBD industry, this idea is often exaggerated into the claim that “CBD doesn’t work without THC,” which is not supported by the evidence. Cannabinoids are actively studied both in combination and in isolation - Epidiolex, an FDA-approved medication made from purified CBD, is one example of a cannabinoid being used on its own.
6. Why do hemp products vary so much in quality and consistency?
Hemp products can vary widely because different plant strains, farming methods, and extraction processes all affect the final extract. But the biggest factor is quality control. Inconsistent testing, weak manufacturing standards, and misleading labels are responsible for most of the problems people see in the marketplace. That is why we do our own testing at Herbal Edge.
What Is Third-Party Testing (and Why Herbal Edge Performs Independent Testing)
6. How do I read a hemp label without getting confused?
Once you know what the key numbers and terms mean, hemp labels get much easier and the odd ones start to stand out. Most CBD products list the total milligrams in the whole container, so a bottle labeled “3000 mg” with 30 servings usually means about 100 mg per serving. A good label should also tell you exactly what’s intended to be inside, where it came from, and how to reach the manufacturer if you want more details.
7. Is hemp actually legal where I live?
Hemp is federally legal, but every state has its own rules about what can be sold and how. Checking your state’s guidelines is essential. In Idaho, hemp products are legal only if they contain no detectable THC or THC analogs. Because of this, products that rely on THC-like compounds - such as Delta-8, HHC, or THCa - do not meet Idaho’s requirements and cannot be sold legally in the state.
Importantly, Idaho law treats possession of THC and THC analogs as a serious criminal offense. That means if a store sells products that don’t actually comply with Idaho’s rules, a customer carrying them can still face legal trouble even if they were told the products were “legal.” Some online stores now make highly questionable claims about the legality of their products in Idaho, which can put consumers at risk.
If you have questions about whether a product is legal or appropriately labeled, contact us through the form on this site. We can help you make an informed decision.
Because all products sold at Herbal Edge are THC-free, they meet the legal definition of hemp in nearly every state. This generally makes them permissible to ship or purchase across most of the United States, depending on local regulations.