What is CBD and how is it sourced and produced?

Cannabis and hemp plants contain a substance called cannabidiol, which is where the abbreviation CBD comes from, CBD contains no psychoactive compounds.

The compounds found in cannabis plants that cause a high or get the user ‘stoned’ is a substance called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The products we sell at The Hemp Hacienda are free from THC and conform to the UK government controls concerning the use, supply, and sourcing of CBD oil. To find out more please read our article about the legal framework for sale of CBD oil products within the UK.

Legal framework for sale of CBD oil products within the UK

Cannabinoids are also found in Coneflower (Echinacea), Electric daisy (Acmella Oleracea) Strawflower (Helichrysum), Liverwort (Radula Marginata), and Tea shrub (Camellia Sinensis). Many of these plants are also used to produce dietary supplements, but the purity and integrity of CBD oil from Cannabis Sativa is found to be more effective and predictable.

Our CBD products are sourced from reputable suppliers that completely conform to the strict controls on the hemp species grown and used for their products, extraction methods, labelling, and safety processes.

CBD can be extracted from hemp plants in a variety of ways, some safer than others- which is why we only sell products that have had the oil extracted in the safest, most natural ways.

CO2 Extraction. This is the most commonly used process of CBD oil extraction as it provides measurable results for purity and potency. CO2 mimics the actions of a solvent when used at a certain temperature and pressure but does not carry the risks of combustion or contamination encountered with other solvent based extraction methods. The CO2 is converted into a liquid at sub-critical temperatures and passed through the hemp which draws the CBD oils from the plant into the liquified CO2. The solution then goes through a separator to remove the cannabinoids for use in CBD health care products.

Ethanol extraction. Grain alcohol, commonly known as ethanol, is used to break down the hemp plant structure and draw the CBD into the alcohol solution. The CBD is then extracted from the ethanol to further process into wellbeing products.

Carrier Oil Extraction. First the hemp plant goes through a process of ‘decarboxylation’. This is where the hemp is heated to activate the chemicals inside the plant structure. The decarboxylated hemp is then added to a food safe carrier oil such as hemp seed oil, olive oil, or coconut oil, and is heated again for several hours to draw the CBD into the carrier oil.

We only stock brands that fulfil our stringent demands for top quality products, both in terms of purity, and the integrity of sourcing and processing their supplies of hemp. Currently we stock Medterra, Endoca, Hemp Well, and Elixinol.