Differentiating Full-Spectrum Hemp Extracts from CBD Isolates: Implications for Policy, Safety and Science

Abstract

The passage of the 2018 United States Agriculture Improvement Act removed industrial hemp, defined as Cannabis sativa L. containing less than 0.3% THC content by dry weight, from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and made it an agricultural commodity. Following these changes, the popularity of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) dietary supplements by consumers has greatly exceeded the scientific understanding of purported benefits, safety and composition of these botanical extracts. Further complicating CBD hemp supplement regulation, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers CBD to be an approved drug (Epidiolex) in the treatment of severe epilepsy disorders, Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. At the same time, hemp-derived CBD supplements can contain a complex phytochemical matrix from the hemp plant, distinguishing the composition of these products from isolated CBD preparations. This work aims to provide clarity on differentiating botanical full-spectrum hemp extracts containing CBD from isolates, from a phytochemical, toxicological and regulatory perspective.

Keywords:

• botanical extracts
• CBD
• cannabidiol
• cannabis
• dietary supplements
• full-spectrum hemp extract
• hemp

Declaration of interest

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and their ethical obligations as researchers, Dr. Osvaldo Marinotti, Ph.D. and Miles Sarill, M.Sc. hereby disclose that they are employed by CV Sciences, Inc., a company that may be affected by the research reported in the enclosed paper. These interests are to be fully disclosed to Taylor & Francis as part of developing a plan to manage any potential conflicts arising from that involvement.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Osvaldo Marinotti

Osvaldo Marinotti, PhD, MS (CV Sciences, 10070 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121), is a Senior Biochemist and molecular biologist with more than 30 years of research experience and an extensive record of scientific publications and international collaborations. Dr. Marinotti has conducted research at the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of California-Irvine, and was a Professor at the University of Sao Paolo.

Miles Sarill

Miles Sarill, MSc (CV Sciences, 10070 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121), is a National Educator and researcher, who received his M.Sc. in Experimental Medicine from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Mr. Sarill’s research background includes studying cannabinoid-like compounds in the Peruvian Maca root botanical extract at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.