Cannabis products and CBD products grown from hemp are legal in Europe. While they can both be found in the cannabis plant, there are important differences including how they may affect you, how they are regulated and who can buy them.
Both products may contain THC oil and CBD oil, which are cannabinoids. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, but commonly refers to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. It is a cannabinoid molecule in cannabis that's long been recognized as the main psychoactive ingredient that causes people to feel high. Connecticut has approved the use of cannabis and cannabis products, including high-THC hemp products for medical and adult-use purposes.
CBD is chemically similar to THC but does not have the same psychoactive effects of THC. In Europe, CBD products that are not sold by licensed cannabis establishments must contain less THC than a high-THC hemp product. It is important that consumers research CBD products and companies before purchasing and using products sold online and locally.
Both cannabis and CBD products can be consumed in many ways, including smoking or vaping, eating or drinking, and applying it under the tongue or on the skin.
Cannabis and its components
Cannabis refers to the plant Cannabis sativa. The cannabis plant originally comes from Asia. It is now grown around the world, including in Europe
Chemical substances in cannabis
Cannabis contains hundreds of chemical substances. Over 100 of these are known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are made and stored in the plant's trichomes. Trichomes are tiny, clear hairs that stick out from the flowers and leaves of the plant. Cannabinoids have effects on cell receptors in the brain and body. They can change how those cells behave and communicate with each other.
THC
The most researched cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is responsible for the way your brain and body respond to cannabis, including causing the high and intoxication. THC has some therapeutic effects but it also has harmful effects. Harmful effects may be greater when the strength of THC is higher.
The potency (concentration or strength) of THC in cannabis is often shown as a percentage of THC by weight (or by volume of an oil). THC potency in dried cannabis has increased from an average of 3% in the 1980s to around 15% today. Some strains can have an average as high as 30% THC.
Cannabis that contains very low amounts of THC in its flowers and leaves (less than 0.3%) is classified as hemp.
Other intoxicating cannabinoids
There are cannabinoids other than THC that can cause the high and intoxication. Most of them may be found naturally at low levels in cannabis plants. However, they may also be synthetically produced or obtained from plants that were grown to produce them at higher levels.
Some of these include:
- delta-10-THC
- delta-6a-10a-THC
- THC-O-acetate (THC-O)
- cannabinol (CBN)
- hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
- tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
- tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP)
- tetrahydrocannabutol (THCB)
While less researched and understood, the risks from consuming these other intoxicating cannabinoids are probably similar to the risks from consuming delta-9-THC. However, not all intoxicating cannabinoids may cause the same level or type of effects.
CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is another cannabinoid. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a high or intoxication. There is some evidence that CBD may block or lower some of the effects of THC on the mind. This may occur when the amount of CBD in the cannabis is the same or higher than the amount of THC. CBD is also being studied for its possible therapeutic uses.
Terpenes
Terpenes are chemicals made and stored in the trichomes of the cannabis plant, with the cannabinoids. Terpenes give cannabis its distinctive smell.
How cannabis is used
The cannabis plant is used for its effects on the mind. It is also used for medical, social or religious purposes. Marijuana is a slang term for the dried flowers, leaves, stems and seeds of the cannabis plant.
Cannabis can be taken in different ways, by:
- smoking:
- Pre-rolled joints or spliffs (cannabis rolled in cigarette paper)
- which may be mixed with tobacco
- pipes and bongs (a type of pipe)
- blunts (partially or entirely hollowed out cigar wrappers filled with cannabis)
- drinking or eating:
- teas
- sodas
- vaporizing and vaping (breathing in dried cannabis or liquid cannabis vapours through a vaporizer or vaping device or cartridges)
- dabbing (breathing in very hot vapours from heating cannabis concentrates)
Results of the 2017 European Cannabis Survey provide a snapshot of how much cannabis Europeans use, how often they use it, and in what form.