CBD E-Liquid: Everything You Need to Know

As the name suggests, these are vaping liquids. Initially, vaping was created as a safer option than tobacco smoking. However, now, it has become a kind of activity in its own right. Thus, many people who vape now have never smoked tobacco.

Vaping is relatively safe, though much still remains unknown, and it may still cause some side effects. However, vaping juices are improving, and their side effects are quite rare.

When it comes to CBD E-liquids, they are even safer, as they are free from nicotine. Nicotine has many ill effects on health, even when inhaled in small amounts. However, CBD, on the other hand, has multiple health benefits.

There are also some well-known benefits of CBD E-liquids, like higher CBD bioavailability and immediate health effects. Thus, CBD vaping is good for quick stress relief. However, health benefits would depend on how the CBD E-liquid was made, the concentration of CBD in any CBD E-liquid, and what other constituents are.

What Is It?

CBD e-liquid is a vaping liquid or vaping juice that is enriched with CBD. As a rule, it is nicotine free and thus has completely distinct health effects when compared to regular vaping juices.

CBD E-liquid mainly contains four components: propylene glycol or vegetable glycerine base (or sometimes a mixture of PG and VG), some moisture, flavour, and CBD. 

However, the ratio of PG and VG would vary, and so would the choice of flavour. Similarly, some may use CBD isolate to make CBD E-liquid, while others use broad-spectrum distillate. Vaping juices may also contain other ingredients like terpenes for improved flavour and enhanced health benefits.

In all CBD E-liquids, PG and VG form the oily base that produces the cloud. However, these oils lack many characteristics. Hence, CBD E-liquids have other components like flavour, and terpenes, for improved product experience, along with CBD or cannabidiol.

What is 50/50 CBD E-Liquid?

When it comes to CBD E-liquid, it is mainly made of two components, and those are PG and VG, as other components are there in small amounts. So, for example, CBD vaping juice contains mostly PG and VG and only a few milligrams of CBD, terpenes, and flavour. 

Hence, the quality of any CBD E-liquid depends on the quality and ratio of PG and VG added. It is these oils that are responsible for the formation of the cloud. Among them VG ish thicker in consistency, while PG has a relatively sweeter taste.

50/50 CBD E-Liquid contains PG and VG in equal amounts. It is among the most commonly used combination, as most people like the cloud produced by such a combination. However, some vaping juice manufacturers may alter this ratio to provide a distinct vaping experience. 

Generally, higher VG is preferred in CBD E-liquids for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, and higher PG content is better suited for mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping.

Does It Smell Like Weed?

It may or may not. Generally, CBD E-liquid does not smell like weed at all. This is because most producers of CBD vaping juices would use pure CBD isolate or broad-spectrum distillate to make their products. These high-purity ingredients do not have a weak smell. Moreover, most CBD E-liquids would have added terpenes to enhance the vaping flavour and boost its health effects.

People need to understand that manufacturers of CBD E-liquids would not use some crude CBD extract. Since crude extracts would have low potency and a higher risk of side effects, they prefer buying high-quality CBD isolate or distillate to make their products. This high-purity CBD is extracted using supercritical CO2 extraction, thus ensuring that one only gets health benefits from CBD products and the final product is free from impurities.

Of course, some CBD E-liquids may smell like weed, as some people do not like flavours and prefer the original weed-like smell. Hence, some CBD vaping juice producers may intentionally produce such products.

Does CBD E-Liquid Get You High?

No, CBD E-liquid will not get you high, and if it does, then it means that the liquid was probably not produced legally. Legally produced CBD E-liquids are mostly THC-free. However, some of them may have THC in small concentrations, like 0.02%. 

However, there are reports when people reported high from CBD E-liquids. However, such liquids are not good for health. In addition, it is worth understanding that THC is not good for lung health, and high THC products are more likely to cause lung disease. Thus, one should only buy CBD E-liquid from reputed brands.

Are There Different Strengths?

It is vital to understand that CBD vaping juices have excellent bioavailability. One may also experience CBD benefits from vaping in small amounts. Hence, CBD E-liquids would have lower CBD concentrations when compared to CBD oil. 

Moreover, CBD E-juices are made to last much longer. Thus, for example, one may need several drops of CBD oil daily to experience its benefits, but one would experience similar benefits from a much smaller amount of vaping juice. Hence, for example, one millilitre of vaping juice may last for as many as 300 puffs.

These juices come in different strengths, like 300 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg, and even 1200 mg per bottle or tank of CBD E-juice. The most common packing is 30 millilitres.

Hence, let’s say that you bought a 1200 mg pack of 30 ml CBD E-juice. It means that each ml of it would contain about 40 mg of CBD. So even if one smokes 30 puffs, one would still get just about 4 mg of CBD. Studies show that 75 mg of CBD a day is good and safe.

Hence, CBD E-juices are good and safe. They contain an adequate amount of CBD, but overdosing using CBD E-juices is not possible unless one vapes too much.

How Is It Made?

CBD E-liquid is made in a very similar way to CBD oil. However, one uses a mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG) instead of carrier oil. 

It is common practice to take equal amounts of PG and VG (50/50) and mix CBD isolate or distillate to it. Additionally, manufacturers would add flavour to the juice. These are the bare minimum requirements. Of course, to differentiate their products, manufacturers may need other organic compounds like terpenes.

How Are Different Flavours Created?

It is pretty simple; manufacturers added different flavours to CBD E-liquid. It is worth noting that most of these flavours are synthetic, though one may also add natural flavours. 

Synthetic flavours are often less costly and, more importantly, safer as they are less likely to cause allergies or other health issues.

To sum up, making CBD E-liquid is not challenging. If you are already into the CBD business, making vaping juices must not pose any challenge to you. If you still have questions, contact us, and we will gladly assist you.

CBD Oil vs CBD Vape Juice: Similarities & Differences

CBD is among the most popular natural remedies. It has tens of health benefits. Therefore, no surprise that it comes in many forms. 

CBD oil is one of the oldest and most popular ways of consuming CBD. Other oral forms are gummies and tinctures. However, in recent years the popularity of tinctures has decreased for various reasons.

Before we move on to discussing similarities and differences between CBD oil and CBD vape juice, it is essential to understand that CBD tincture is a very different thing, though many online sources wrongly use these terms interchangeably.

CBD is an oil-based product, whereas tincture is an alcohol-based product, thus making them very different things. Though they are used for similar reasons, their chemical properties differ, as alcohol is highly flammable and relatively volatile.

What Is CBD Oil, exactly?

CBD oil is not extracted from cannabis plants, as many people imagine. Instead, manufacturers extract CBD from the plant and then mix it with carrier oils creating CBD oil. Using this method results in a high-purity product. 

First, extracting pure CBD using supercritical CO2 extraction or other extraction methods ensures that one gets highly refined CBD isolate or CBD distillate. 

When we have CBD isolate or distillate, we can mix them in oils of our choice, add other beneficial compounds like terpenes, and create safe yet highly beneficial health products.

Thus, CBD oil is a cannabinoid/CBD mixed in carrier oils like olive oil, other vegetable oils, MCTs, and so on. It may also contain other phytocompounds like terpenes and some essential oils to improve its aroma and provide added health benefits.

CBD oil is relatively simple to produce, safe, and thus the preferred way of using CBD. 

However, in recent years, the popularity of vaping is also increasing. Thus, many young adults are looking for CBD-infused vape juices as they understand that this would have some added benefits.

CBD Oil vs CBD Vape Juice: What’s The Difference?

Interestingly enough, there are many similarities between CBD oil and CBD vape juice, which is why it is very important to know the minor differences that make them entirely different products.

Manufacturers would use either CBD isolate or CBD distillate to produce these products. They would mix CBD in an oil base, add some other compounds like terpenes for added benefits, and might add aromas to improve the product experience. 

Different kinds of oils/fats used to produce the products

However, the difference between the two groups is in the kind of oil manufacturers use to produce these two very different products. For CBD oil, theoretically, producers can use any edible oil. However, for vape juice, just any oil would not work. One needs to use oil that would create vapours on heating. Hence, vape juice is most likely to use propylene glycol, glycerin, and no other vegetable oils.

Vaping juices tend to have a more intense flavour

Additionally, vaping oils also have a stronger flavour. After all, people vape not just for health benefits but also for relaxation, pleasure, and stress reduction.

When it comes to CBD oil, many people prefer CBD’s earthy flavour and do not like masking agents or flavours. Moreover, CBD oil is taken sublingually and not for enjoying the flavour. 

However, vaping has a dual purpose. One also expects it to provide a pleasant experience.

CBD oil has fewer additives

There is a reason why CBD oil is safer, and it generally has fewer additives. However, some producers of vaping juices may add different chemicals to improve the overall product experience. Some of these additives may also help in the formation of vapours. However, this also makes vaping juices less safe when compared to CBD oil.

Vaping juices have lower amounts of volatile compounds

Vaping juice is heated to produce vapour; thus, even small amounts of volatile oils may produce intense flavour. However, there are also limitations to what kind of essential oils or phytocompounds can be added to vaping juice. Some compounds are less stable, and when heated, they might change or lose some of their properties. 

This is why we have CBD tincture for ingestion, but one cannot add alcohol to vaping juices, as it is unstable at extreme heat and flammable. It means that when adding any substance or compound to vaping juices, manufacturers need to pay special attention to its boiling point and inflammability. 

Can I Vape CBD Oil?

Theoretically, you may vape CBD oil, but in practice, no. Some CBD oils might produce vapour, depending on the kind of oil used to produce those products. However, in most cases, it will not work; thus, it is not recommended even to try it, as it may spoil your vaping pen.

CBD oil contains oils that do not produce vapours. Instead, they might burn at higher temperatures. Thus, inhaling this smoke may even harm health. Moreover, it is not likely that your vaping pod would be able to produce those kinds of high temperatures. Hence, you may be able to inhale only some of the volatile parts of the CBD oil, like terpenes that vaporize at lower temperatures.

Since CBD oil has far more viscous oils, if heated, they may form a layer on the heating coil of the vaping pod and thus spoil it. Vaping pod may also become clogged. 

Therefore, it is not a good idea to use CBD oil for vaping, as they were never produced for the purpose.

Can I Ingest CBD Vape Juice?

Though not recommended, the answer is yes. CBD vape juice does not contain anything that may be highly toxic, though it may have a more intense flavour. Hence, one can ingest CBD juice in small amounts. 

However, some CBD juice might contain substances that are harmful to health when ingested in larger amounts, like some may cause allergies. Hence, consuming CBD vape juice is not recommended. However, if someone swallows it accidentally, it is not likely to cause any side effects.

Are There Any Similarities Between the Two?

As we have already mentioned above, there are more similarities between the two than differences. Both are made using CBD isolate or distillate mixed in an oil base. In addition, both of them may contain other beneficial compounds like terpenes and flavours. 

The main difference between the two is the kind of oils used to produce these products. This difference is minor yet relevant, making two of them completely different kinds of products.

CBD Oil vs CBD Vape Juice: Which One Should I Use?

There is no right or wrong answer to this, as lots would depend on personal choices. However, if you don’t vape, then the recommendation is not to start vaping due to some associated health risks. In such cases, you should choose CBD oil.

Therefore, this question is valid for those who vape. However, for non-vapers, CBD oil is the logical and healthier choice.

However, if you vape, then CBD vape juice may be a better choice for managing stress and anxiety, as these emotional changes are better countered by vaping. In addition, Vaping CBD can have an almost immediate effect.

However, CBD oil may be a better choice for more severe issues like chronic pain due to its prolonged action. Moreover, CBD concentration in CBD oils is often higher when compared to CBD vape juice.

CBD Vape Pens How to Choose the Right One?

People are using CBD for all the reasons, and why not? After all, it helps in so many health conditions. But, more importantly, it is good to reduce stress and anxiety and stay calm. 

Therefore, no surprise that after CBD oil and gummies, CBD vaping is the most popular way to experience the benefits of CBD. 

However, there are many questions regarding CBD vape pens, and we have already written an article about if these pens work or not. In another article, we have answered some common questions regarding vaping CBD.

Additionally, we have also written a detailed article about Geek bars, which are single-use or disposable vape pens containing nicotine but not CBD.

This article looks into how to choose the right kind of CBD vape pen. We will focus more on non-disposable vape pens, factors to consider when choosing one, and more. Moreover, we cannot neglect another aspect: the vape pen is a style statement.

What Is a Vape Pen?

These are pretty simple devices. Any vape pen has a rechargeable battery and a heating coil. The battery heats the coil, thus heating the vaping juice, producing inhalable vapours. So, everything is pretty simple. 

However, there are different kinds of models for different needs. For example, some people vape frequently and would like to have something more reliable, while others prefer more discreet models. Thus, the smallest among them look almost like cigarettes and are therefore called cigalikes. 

However, larger ones produce more vapour and are made to last long. Therefore, they are much thicker and are called vape mods. Then there are models which are in between these two options. These are slightly larger than cigalikes, but smaller than vape mod and are often called vape pens.

Thus, a vape pen is essentially a mid-sized vaping device that has the benefit of both the smaller cigalikes and vape mod. This is the reason why some people prefer vape pens over other models.

Vape pens could be for multiple uses; thus, they can be refilled with e-liquid. However, they might also be disposable. Some people just like disposable ones due to ease of use, as they are almost hassle-free. Nonetheless, disposable pens are still made to last for quite a long like a few thousand puffs. Hence, with casual vaping, they might last for several weeks and even months.

Choosing Correctly Depends on Your Inhalation Style…

Theoretically, you can just buy any vaping device according to your liking, and it is likely to work well. Nonetheless, there are some minute differences that matter. For example, every device produces different amounts of vapour and has varying resistance to inhalation. Thus, your ultimate experience of using any vaping device would vary.

Most vaping device manufacturers make their products by keeping inhaling styles in mind. They know that some prefer vape devices that are more like cigarettes, while others prefer devices that may produce more vapour. Some the feeling vaping produce in their throat, while others may prefer inhaling all the vapour directly to the lungs. Then there are those who vape differently every time. Fortunately, there are vaping devices for every inhaling or vaping style.

Mouth To Lung Vaping (MTL)

These are people who vape more like they are smoking a cigarette. They would like to draw vapour into their mouth before inhaling it into their lungs. These people living the strong throat hit provided by such kind of inhaling habit. These kinds of people also prefer higher CBD or nicotine concentrations.

Best Vape Pens for MTL Vapers

These categories of vape pens are the most selling devices. There are many models in this category, like Innokin T22 PRO, Aspire Zelos 3, Voopoo Seal, and many more. Most of these devices are quite good for beginners and experienced vapers alike. They have excellent batter life and wattage, provide good flavour, and come in different shapes and sizes. 

Direct To Lung Vaping (DTL)

This is a very distinct category of vapers, and they like to directly inhale most of the vapor to their lungs. Thus, they want devices that produce lots of clouds and yet it must not have much resistance. Such people may prefer low-dose CBD or nicotine e-juices.

Best Vape Pens for DTL Vapers

These vape pens last long as they generally utilize lower power coils. However, their experience differs from cigarette smoking. Some of the good vape pens for those who prefer DTL style are Voopoo Vmate, Aspire Favostix, and many more.

Restricted Direct Lung Vaping (RDL)

This vaping style is between MTL and DTL. These people like the feeling in their throat, and yet they also like to inhale bigger clouds. Thus, RDL vape pens would have generally higher resistance to provide that nice feeling in the throat and yet allow smooth inhaling.

Best RDL Vape Pens

Quite like DTL vaping pens, they do not require much power and generally have a low resistance coil to preserve the flavour of the vapours. Thus, they last for quite a long. However, they only have a bit higher inhaling resistance compared to DTL vaping pens. Some good examples of these devices are Aspire Riil X Vape Pod Kit, Geekvape Z50 Vape kit, SMOK Nord 50W Pods Vape kit, and many more.

Tank-Based Vapes vs Pod-Based Vapes: Which Is Better for Me?

The difference between the two types, which are traditional tank-based and pod-based, is minor, and it would not have any major influence on your vaping experience. However, it still may influence your choice. Some find take-based pens more comfortable to use, while others pod based.

For most people getting started with CBD vaping, perhaps tank based vape pen would be a better choice. These vape pens are sturdier, have a larger coil, and have a better battery life to produce more vapour. But, more importantly, their tank can be refilled with the e-liquid of your choice. Thus, one would have a greater choice of CBD vaping juices.

Unlike tank-based systems, pod-based pens use pods specifically made for that vape pens. As one can imagine, it means that this may limit your choice of CBD vaping juices. In most cases, your choice may be limited to the pods that fit into that particular vaping pen. However, pod-based pens are easier to use, as there is no need to clean tanks, and they are sleeker.

Summary:

There are many benefits of CBD. CBD vaping is surely better than nicotine. Although vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes, nicotine is still bad for health. Therefore, it is quite a good idea to switch to CBD vaping, which is least likely to cause side effects. Moreover, it would help provide an immediate relaxing effect. When choosing a vaping pen, there are a few things to consider, like your inhaling style and how often you vape. 

6 Scientifically-Backed Benefits of Vaping CBD

Are There Any Benefits to Vaping CBD? 

When studying CBD and its effects on the human body and mind, scientists usually chose to evaluate the results of taking CBD orally and not through inhalation. This is one of the main factors that contributes to the decision of the CDC to recommend against vaping as the long term events are still not known. Still, more and more people are now using e-cigarettes or CBD pens as a device to introduce cannabis-based products into the body, including CBD.

Vaping or consuming CBD via aerosoles is particularly attractive for people with asthma and other obstructive pulmonary diseases. Though it may seem odd, by doing it this way, the substance flows directly into the lungs, which results in quicker and more noticeable effect. We know this because of other medication that is already prescribed to take this way. In addition, the doses needed are generally smaller when comparing to other forms of consumption.

For more detailed information you can also visit this article.

How Does It Differ From Other Ways of Consuming It?

There are many different ways of consuming CBD oil. Vaping is seen as the quickest way to feel the effects of CBD and it is also the quickest to process through your body. But what about some other choices?

Another popular way is tincture, which is just spraying the oil straight into the mouth or placing a few drops of it under the tongue. This area has many small capillaries, meaning the oil can reach your bloodstream quickly.

For a more consistent dose you can decide on capsules. This is a more controlled way of consumption but the effects may take a little longer to kick in as the CBD has to pass through the digestive tract to be absorbed.

One of the most versatile ways of introducing CBD into the body is with food. The oil can basically be baked into anything, such as various sweets, brownies and CBD-infused gummies. These kinds of products are processed through the liver and digestive system and they linger in your body for a longer time, but we also need a bit longer to start feeling the effects. Another reason people may want to mix CBD oil into their food is to mask its flavor as some blends have an earthy taste that many don’t enjoy.

Regardless of the way we choose to consume it, what is important is to always be careful with dosing and maintenance throughout the day. If you are interested to learn more about dosing, you can find more detailed information in this article.

To summarize, vaping CBD is one of the quickest ways to feel its effects. It is also pretty easy to conceal considering vaping produces very little smoke. It is, however, one of the less researched ways, meaning we know much less about its long-term effects in comparison to other ways of taking it.

6 Science-Backed Benefits of CBD Vaping

As vaping CBD for medical reasons becomes more and more popular, scientists are starting to focus on researching if it is actually effective, who should take it, and in what doses. The field is still relatively new but with promising results for some illnesses.

It Can Alleviate Stress & Anxiety 

According to the authors of one 2015 review, CBD interacts with serotonin receptors and other receptors in the brain that regulate fear and some behavior that may be induced by anxiety. So it should come as no surprise that CBD has some effect on stress.

Based on recent studies, researchers are starting to note the positive effects of CBD if used as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD, and other anxiety-related disorders. When talking about taking a bigger one-time dose (acute dosing) the effects are evident, while the effects of smaller doses over a longer time (chronic dosing) are not yet conclusive.

Although the positive effects are undeniable, further testing is required to determine the appropriate dosing guidelines. We should however note that many studies included mainly oral dosing of CBD. The ones that included inhaled forms of CBD, such as vaping, are considerably less consistent at showing positive effects on anxiety.

It Can Combat Insomnia (In High Doses) 

CBD has been shown to have a calming effect on the nervous system but the research on sleep disorders is still in the early stages. Some studies on CBD and sleep point to positive outcomes but not everyone experiences the same sleep benefits. That is why dosing is a very important factor. According to research low doses of CBD are stimulating, while high doses are sedating.

Patients suffering from insomnia are often burdened by their history of sleepless nights and poor sleep in general. That may lead to anxiety about not getting enough sleep and make the situation even worse. This correlates with research about anxiety and suggests that the role of CBD in combating sleep issues may actually be in reducing the anxiety associated with insomnia.

It Can Improve Alertness (In Low Doses) 

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, CBD is stimulating in low doses, potentially helping with energy and alertness. It is said to help with memory and other cognitive functions which means that it may very be a valuable tool for improving focus. Currently, there is still very little evidence to support this claim, but there is promising research which suggests that CBD can improve some other issues that may affect your energy levels and ability to concentrate.

As established, the dose is key when looking to benefit from the effects of CBD. And looking for the right product can be tricky so it is necessary to know what is most important to you before deciding.

It Can Relieve Pain 

Pain management is becoming a more and more common reason why people consume cannabis. It can be beneficial in managing some types of chronic pain, cancer-related pain, migraines, stiffness and it can act anti-inflammatory. The dosage naturally depends on the amount of CBD present in the product, your body weight and the way you take it so it will differ from person to person.

Unfortunately, there are not any conclusive studies that evaluate the effect of vaping CBD on pain, however, the existing research suggests that the potential benefits of cannabis-based medicine outweighs its potential harms. But in spite of the lack of high-quality evidence (to support the positive effects that CBD may have on pain relief), there are many with chronic nerve pain that benefit from long-term use.

It Has Anti-Oxidative and Neuroprotective Effects 

CBD is known to be an antioxidant. These kinds of substances have a role in reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer and other diseases. They protect your cells from free radicals, which are molecules produced in our body with exposure to radiation or tobacco smoke. Some well-known antioxidants include vitamins C and E as well as fruits, vegetables and grains. But the neuroprotective ability of CBD is supposed to be higher in comparison to these.

In addition, CBD also has neuroprotective effects, meaning it can be used to preserve the central nervous system against injury (e.g. stroke) and disorders (dementia) that may damage it. Many of these diseases involve destruction or loss of nerve cells which can to an extent be protected. CBD can even promote the regeneration of nerve cells. For a more detailed description of the effect on different disorders, you can visit this article.

It Can Help Those Suffering From Chronic Conditions (such as Epilepsy & Type 2 Diabetes))

We have already established that vaping CBD can be helpful with managing pain and anxiety. But it is especially useful when dealing with chronic conditions including cancer, epilepsy, lupus, and related diseases.

In the case of epilepsy, CBD is known to help with seizures, even preventing them in some cases. Clinical trials have demonstrated a significant reduction in seizures for people taking CBD to treat Lennox-Gastaut, Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex. And even though research is still in the early stages it appears to be very promising, indicating that CBD may help prevent other types of seizure or increase the efficacy of other antiepileptic medications.

Another condition that CBD oil is used to aid with is type 2 diabetes. Patients with this disease usually seek it to help with nerve pain, rubbing the oil on painful areas. Many report significant improvement with the pain. But according to research, there is no noticeable effect on blood sugar or insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

What Are The Down Sides to Vaping CBD? (unhealthy compared to other methods like topical/ingesting CBD oil)

The biggest problem right now is that we do not know enough about vaping and its side effects so recommending it is tricky. 

But the most problematic is vaping itself. Right now, the most common negative side effects reported are pretty similar to smoking as breathing in any product directly is not ideal. People notice throat irritation, cough, headaches, and even nausea, which all seem to fade away after some time. But it is important to add that vaping is largely seen as an alternative way of consuming nicotine so much of the research focuses on this.

When comparing vaping to other ways of consuming CBD, we should mention that the industry is still not regulated enough and studies found some inconsistencies between the labels and actual levels of CBD contained in products. But as more and more countries aim to legalize cannabis and take advantage of its medicinal properties, the market is expanding and stricter regulations are being put in place. With time, this will greatly increase safety in using CBD-based products. And even though breathing any product directly into the lungs is not ideal, it means that everything is absorbed quicker and more efficiently, resulting in smaller and more accurate doses.

CBD in India: Legality, Manufacturing, History and More

CBD products have been on an incredible rise around the world and the global market for this beneficial product seems to be rapidly expanding. In this article, we at Essentia Pura want to explore the legality of CBD products in India. We will not stop there. We intend to also provide you with some useful tips on checking the quality of CBD and share our thoughts regarding the dominant players on the Indian CBD market. 

Nonetheless, in order to better understand the CBD oil market, the legal status of CBD and the peculiarities of the CBD oil business in India we must first briefly discuss the history of CBD in India as well as the history of drug regulation on the Indian subcontinent. 

A Brief History of India drug laws

But before we get too deep into the evolution of the drug laws in India, it would be useful to clear up what exactly CBD is and why drug laws are still such an important part of the CBD business landscape.

What is CBD?

As you might know, CBD is short for Cannabidiol, which is one of 113 cannabinoids (compounds) that come from the cannabis plant. 

Cannabis is without a doubt one of the most well known plants in the world. however it has been treated in many different ways throughout history – this of course affects how everything connected to Cannabis is seen by the authorities and this includes CBD. There were eras in the history when cannabis was praised and widely used – we will see that this was the case in India thorough most of history. On the other hand, in recent decades Cannabis was treated quite differently – as a dangerous drug!

The tide seems to be turning! In recent years, researchers have worked intensely on the cannabis plant and its potential uses. The results point to numerous positive effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid extracted from Cannabis sativa L. This research sparked the interest of consumers and started a boom of economic activity in the sector. 

Some legal obstacles to the growth of the CBD market are still present. Even though the World Health Organization proclaimed CBD products as generally safe to use in its report, governments around the world are still reluctant to let anything associated with cannabis into wider use.

This is why good knowledge of the drug laws, the history of drug regulation and the trajectory of the regulation is still crucial if you are to be active in the CBD world. But even if CBD can legally be extracted from cannabis, how can it be used?

Effects and uses of CBD and cannabis

Cannabis is a plant with numerous effects. Some claim it is responsible for relaxation and health benefits, others prefer recreational use, some see other beneficial value in it. It is a plant with plenty of uses and it is grown for food, entertainment, industrial and pharmaceutical purposes. It is grown around the globe for fiber, seeds, seed oil, and medicinal products, however it also grows in the wild in some places, including in India. 

CBD has been shown to have numerous benefits to individuals’ health as well as to the health and well being of pets. One important aspect of CBD use is that using CBD products is not connected to getting high. The high feeling which is often associated with cannabis is due to THC, another cannabinoid, found in the cannabis plant but totally unrelated to CBD products, as CBD is isolated from other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant – such as THC. 

There is a broader difference in the plants used. The plant that is rich in THC and is used for getting high is commonly known as marijuana, whereas the plant used for CBD products is commonly known as hemp. You can read more about the difference between CBD and THC in our special article.

Hemp does not get you high, at the same time the numerous cannabinoids in this strain of the cannabis plant may have major beneficial effects on your well being. This is something that had been discovered a long time ago in India and was part of the cultural heritage for hundreds if not thousands of years. 

Cannabis had a big role to play in Indian society through its history. Hemp, together with CBD products is now beginning to emerge as one of the most important products in the growing Indian subcontinent.

Use and regulation of Cannabis in Indian history

As mentioned above, Cannabis has been used in India since about 2000 BCE – the cannabis plant has been part of Indian society for more than 4000 years! 

Even more, it is considered to be one of the five sacred plants in the holy texts of the Hindu religion. The Hindus believe that the famous god Shiva has chosen cannabis as favorite food as it refreshed him. Even the gods of India recognized the potential for well being in CBD products.

Even though hemp and consequently CBD have a rich cultural history in India, various colonial authorities tried to criminalize its use. The Brits tried to criminalize hemp and cannabis in 1838, 1871, and 1877, however they were not successful. Hemp was so popular and important in India that the Brits feared social unrest if they banned it, so they decided to tax it instead. 

Cannabis was only made illegal in independent India, following the the adoption of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961. The international treaty classified cannabis together with hard drugs. India was strongly against such classification, however it was only partially successful in convincing other countries to follow them in opposition. Nonetheless, products made from leaves of the cannabis plant were still considered as appropriate for use! 

India did not immediately comply with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and only adjusted its laws in 1985, while still allowing for the use of leaves. 

The act stipulates that cannabis with more than 0.3% of THC is considered a narcotic drug, not complying with this can have grave consequences for you and your business. Although the act allowed the use of leaves due to the great cultural heritage of cannabis in India, the new laws still had a devastating effect on the hemp industry.

Nonetheless, we want to end on an upbeat note – things are looking upwards now. Due to the extraordinary work of the Great Legalisation Movement India and Indian Industrial Hemp Association the authorities in India are changing their stance as well. 

Is CBD legal in India?

So, to answer the original question, is CBD legal in India? 

Yes, under certain circumstances – if it is extracted from the leaves of the cannabis plant and does not contain more than 0,3% of THC, then it is considered to be completely legal and can be sold. However this does not mean that just about anyone can produce CBD products – if you want to sell CBD oil as a medicinal product, it has to be manufactured by a CBD producer with a valid license if.

Furthermore, if you are thinking of trying yourself out at selling CBD oil in India, your mind can be at ease. The Indian authorities are going so far as to encourage the research and cultivation of cannabis with low THC content – such as CBD oil and CBD cosmetic products. This shows incredible goodwill on the side of the government and their understanding of the benefits of CBD for the well being of Indians and potential that the CBD industry has in India.

Even more, the National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is aware that hemp is an excellent source of biomass, fiber, and, an important source of high-value oil – this includes CBD oil. 

Nonetheless there are a couple more things you should be aware of, before starting to sell CBD products in India. 

As mentioned, CBD oil products can only be derived from leaves of the cannabis plant and cannot contain more than 0,3% of THC. The other major takeaways are the limits on labeling and advertising. You should not market the product as having psychoactive effects; and the image of the cannabis plant cannot be used on the product’s label!

We would like to emphasize that some Indian states still have their own, specific rules regarding the sale of CBD, especially if it is marketed as a medicinal product – in this case the CBD products may have to be licensed by a competent authority. We strongly advise to check the specific laws and regulations and seek advice of local legal counsel prior to commencing with your CBD business.

TOP 5 CBD MANUFACTURERS THAT SELL IN INDIA

As you are now well aware, hemp and CBD are big in India, so there is no shortage of companies trying to manufacture, distribute and sell CBD all throughout India. 

Nonetheless there are still significant differences between companies in the market. The companies that sell CBD oil products in India differ on the ingredients and the quality of hemp they use for extraction, the quality of their production facility and the control measures they have in place to provide their customers with the best possible products.

All of the above means that the market is full of superb products and companies innovating and experimenting with different products. Unfortunately, you might occasionally stumble upon a subpar product which may ruin your CBD experience.

Do not let a one time bad experience discourage you! If you want to distribute and sell CBD products to India and you are looking for a supplier, you should prepare for a good vetting process in order to be sure that you are only dealing with the best manufacturers. We understand that this is a difficult task and you can easily get lost in the thousands of different products that you can purchase. This is why we have prepared our list of top 5 CBD manufacturers that sell to India. 

1. Essentia Pura

Even though Essentia Pura is not an Indian company it has all the necessary expertise and drive to succeed in the Indian CBD market. Essentia Pura is a Slovenian company, founded in 2014, but works on the global scale. 

It is engaged in manufacturing and wholesale of CBD oils and other CBD related products. It specializes in supercritical CBD extraction and has, together with industry experts and scientists, pioneered numerous applications, processes, and developments that merge science, technology, nature, and healthcare. 

Quality of the products is of paramount importance to the company. Essentia Pura aims for the highest possible standards in its quality control procedures, based on this, their supply chain is regularly audited and all manufacturing and R&D are performed in a highly controlled laboratory environment and by a team experienced in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. Essentia Pura is committed to best industry practice regarding sustainability of CBD oil products it manufactures.

2. Hempstrol

Hempstrol is one of the biggest manufacturers of hemp and CBD products in India, which has been on the market for quite a while. Their products are lab tested and is a licensed seller of CBD products from Rajasthan Drug Development Authority. It is proud to be a socially conscious company, which only works with authentic and best sourced hemp.

3. Cannavedic

Cannavedic is another one of the premier manufacturers of CBD products in India. In its production process and marketing materials it emphasizes the deep cultural importance CBD has in India, due to the popularity of hemp. It works to provide its customers with Herbal and plant-based medicines that have been at the center of Indian medicine, which uses comprehensive practices to help prevent, alleviate, or combat certain ailments and diseases and enhance wellbeing.

4. BOHECO

BOHECO is short for the Bombay hemp company and this is a business that takes pride in the Indian hemp heritage and therefore ensures that all their products are made from local, Indian hemp that was grown right by the Himalaya mountains. It offers various different hemp products to their customers and focuses on sustainable products while maintaining top notch quality of their hemp products.

5. Satliva

Satliva is a hemp based shop and manufacturer in Bagalore, India. It is proud of the fact that its suppliers are based on the foothills of the Himalayas, providing their products with distinct characteristics of the mountains. As the other producers, it places a lot of thought into choosing its suppliers with sustainability in mind. They offer a great range of skin and body care products.

Where else is CBD legal?

If you are interested in learning more about the legality of CBD around the world make sure to check out our articles about other countries.

We have covered in depth, the legality of CBD in:

• the European Union and its member states,
• United Kingdom,
• Japan

We at Essentia Pura always strive to make as many informative topics as possible in order to spread awareness regarding CBD and its benefits. Make sure to check out our blog if you are interested in these topics. 

Disclaimer: The laws and regulations on this topic are always changing, which means that any information on this topic can quickly become outdated. Moreover, we at Essentia Pura do not guarantee the accuracy of the data, as this article is for informational purposes only. However, it should give you a good overview of the current state in the EU and act as a solid starting point for more thorough research. We cannot stress enough the importance of thorough and correct knowledge on this subject for CBD sellers as well as customers.

Artemisia Annua (Sweet Wormwood)

At Essentia Pura, we are not limited to CBD extraction though that is the focus of our business due to massive demand. However, we specialize in obtaining ingredients from various other medicinal herbs like valerian, chamomile, and even Artemisia Annua.

Artemisia Annua is a plant that suddenly jumped to prominence. It is the source of an ingredient called artemisinin which is one of the drugs used to treat malaria and is effective even against resistance cases. It is such an important finding that the person who discovered it was given Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.

However, it is worth understanding that Artemisia is also a good source of other phytochemicals like flavones, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and many more.

What is Artemisia Annua?

Artemisia Annua is a plant that is native to the temperate areas of Asia. However, it has not been naturalized in the Americas. It is even grown in parts of Europe, though growing it in Europe requires much expertise.

Artemisia Annua extract has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments, including malaria. Since malaria has become resistant to many commonly available drugs, researchers have been looking for something more potent and newer.

Chinese scientist Tu Youyou was the first to identify that the antimalarial properties of the plant are due to its content of artemisinin. For her discovery, she has received the Nobel Price, as this drug has helped save millions of lives.

Nowadays, Artemisia is also cultivated in Europe, though under specific conditions. Additionally, some  European companies have improved the natural varieties and have created strains that are exceptionally high in artemisinin.

But what is more important is the rising interest in other health benefits of the plant. It would be wrong to think that it is only good for treating malaria. It can also help prevent and manage non-infectious diseases.

Artemisia Annua Benefits

Artemisia is among the neglected herbs, and its benefits mostly remain unknown in the west. It has gained popularity as a herb that is good for managing malaria. However, malaria is not a significant health concern in the West.

Since people in the west are still not using these herbs for various health benefits, there are lots of opportunities. Chinese traditional medicine has used Artemisia for a range of health conditions like reducing inflammation, fighting cancer, boosting vascular health, fighting bacterial and even protozoal infection, treating disorders of the brain, liver, lungs, and many more.

It is vital to understand that its extract is not just about artemisinin. It is more about antioxidants, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and much more.

Its essential oil has a wonderful aroma. In fact, artemisinin is among the minor compounds in the herb. Its essential oil is rich in camphor, beta-caryophyllene, beta-selinene, artemisia ketone, and many more.

Artemisia Annua Uses

As already mentioned, that artemisinin is just one of the minor compounds in the herb. Thus, it is wrong to think about this herb as something good for only treating malaria. In China, people have used this herb to manage a range of medical conditions.

• Excellent source of antioxidants: Studies show that Artemisia annua is abundant in flavonoids, phenolic acid, and many other antioxidants. Thus, it is quite good for reducing chronic inflammation. It can help reduce the risk of various metabolic disorders.
• Help fight infections: It is not just good for fighting malaria. It seems that Artemisia extract can help fight a range of infections. Thus, it is quite good for fighting various bacterial and fungal infections. It may be quite good for those living with chronic bacterial or fungal infections, like those in chronic ulcers or those with compromised immunity.
• Probably effective against covid-19: Of course, it should not be used as a primary covid-19 treatment. However, studies suggest that it may help in multiple ways. Artemisia extract has direct antiviral properties, and thus it is quite likely to suppress the growth of coronavirus. Additionally, it may also help prevent lung damage due to its immune-modulating properties and antioxidant action.
• Flavonoids and other phytocompounds in the herb reduce cancer risk: There have been many experimental studies suggesting that it could be good for lowering cancer risk in high-risk individuals. It may also work as an add-on treatment in those living with cancer. For example, one of the studies found that it could suppress prostate carcinoma growth when added to prostate cancer treatment.

Is Artemisia Annua Safe?

Artemisia is quite safe. It is not likely to cause any side effects when used as recommended. Here it is vital to understand that there are many reports regarding the toxicity of Artemisia Annua, like severe gastrointestinal issues or even hepatotoxicity. However, these side effects are characteristic of artemisinin which is altogether a different thing. Natural Artemisia Annua extract contains just about 1% of this antimalarial agent. Instead, it contains significant amounts of antioxidants. Thus, it is unwise to compare Artemisia Annua and antimalarial drugs derived from the herb.

Thus, it would be right to say that Artemisia Annua is quite safe for regular use as an antioxidant, for reducing inflammation, and for fighting cancer. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Artemisia Annua, as its safety in the population group is not established.

Conclusion

The Discovery of artemisinin, one of the compounds in the plant Artemisia Annua, has been one of the greatest discoveries that helped save millions of lives from malaria. Although this made the plant quite popular, but it also had some negative consequences, as most people started to associate the plant with malaria treatment.

However, in traditional Chinese medicine, the plant has much broader use. Moreover, modern studies confirm that the plant is abundant in numerous potent antioxidants. Thus, Artemisia Annua can help prevent chronic disorders, normalize metabolism, reduce inflammation, and even help fight cancer.

At Essentia Pura, we focus greatly on CBD. However, we are also providing other herbal extracts. Artemisia is still not a commonly used herbal supplement in the western world, despite its many known health effects. Thus, it could be good to add this herb to your product profile, especially if you are into the supplements business.

If you want to learn about all our services or what other herbal extracts we can provide, feel free to contact us.