What is cannabis oil?

Extracts from cannabis plants are known as cannabis oils. When raw, they have about the same amount of active components as the plants—around 100—but the composition of the compounds varies depending on which particular plant the oil is derived from. THC, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol, or CBD, are the two primary active ingredients in cannabis plants. Hemp oil can have a high concentration of CBD, whereas skunk oil has a far higher THC content. While CBD makes up the majority of cannabis oils used for medical purposes, THC provides the high that recreational consumers desire.

How is it different to cannabis?

Some varieties of cannabis are solid and are typically offered for sale as dried plant material or resin. The amounts of THC and CBD in medicinal cannabis oils that are manufactured commercially are often well-regulated, making dosage calculations simple.

Does it work as a medicine?

THC and cannabivarin are two other plant chemicals that may have anticonvulsant properties similar to those of CBD. Clinical trials conducted in the US and Europe have provided strong evidence that pharmaceutical formulations of CBD can effectively treat Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, two severe forms of pediatric epilepsy. Current epilepsy medications frequently don’t work well for either type of epilepsy. Although some studies have noted adverse effects such dry mouth, dizziness, and changed liver enzyme activity, CBD is generally thought to be safe.