Understanding The Different Types of Cannabis Oil

Features

• Get an overview of the different types of cannabis oils
• Learn about cannabinoid oils like CBD, CBN, and THC
• Learn about carrier oils like coconut, olive, and MCT

Why You Will Love This Guide

Cannabis oil may seem like a simple term, but members of my Well With Cannabis Community know that there is more to it than that.

Cannabis oil is a blanket term used to describe different types of oil extracted from or infused with the cannabis plant. 

There are many types of cannabis oil on the market today, and there is a lot to consider. But have no fear! 

Together we will go through the different types of oils available so you can better understand what style you want to make or buy.

The Different Types of Cannabis Oil

Below we will explore the many different types of cannabis oil that you can make at home or purchase from my online shop. 

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all of the acronyms, be sure to start with this terms and abbreviations guide. 

I will break the different cannabis oil types down into subcategories:

• Hemp seed oil – non-intoxicating cooking oil that contains no cannabinoids
• By cannabinoids – THC oil, CBD oil, CBN oil, CBG oil
• By carrier oil – coconut, MCT, olive, etc
• Oil concentrates – full-extract cannabis oil, distillate, or CO2 oil

The active compounds, associated benefits, and side effects of cannabis oil will vary depending on the type of cannabis oil you use.

Hemp Seed Oil

You may have heard of hemp seed oil, but it is different than other forms of cannabis oil.

Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil are commonly used for cooking and baking or as dietary supplements and can be found at the grocery store or on Amazon.

Hemp seed oil does not contain cannabinoids like CBD or THC, and studies have shown that there are no cannabinoids present in hemp seeds.

While hemp seed and hemp oil do not include the same beneficial properties as cannabis oil, they are still a nutritious addition to a healthy diet due to their high omega-3 fatty acids and nutrient content. 

Again, hemp extract and hemp seed oil are different than CBD oil and the other forms of cannabis oil outlined below.

Cannabis Oils by Cannabinoid

In recent years, more and more cannabis oils have appeared that feature specific cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, and more.

Cannabinoids within the cannabis plant interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body, triggering various effects. 

Over 100 cannabinoids have been identified, meaning there can be many different types of cannabis oils by cannabinoid. 

You can make most of these oils at home by selecting a dominant strain in the specific cannabinoid you are interested in.

THC Oil

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the intoxicating compound of the cannabis plant and is responsible for creating the high feeling associated with cannabis use.

THC oil is produced by infusing the THC from the female cannabis plant into a carrier oil.

A cannabis plant is classified as ‘marijuana’ if it contains more than 0.3% THC and ‘hemp’ if it contains less than 0.3% THC.

THC oil is illegal under United States Federal Law if it has more than 0.3% THC by dry weight volume.

THC is legal in states that allow for recreational cannabis or medicinal use of cannabis in a medical marijuana program.

Remember that because THC can cause intoxicating effects, that is best to start with lower doses to assess your tolerance.

High THC levels can make you feel unwell if you accidentally or unknowingly consume too much.

The THC concentrations and potency will depend on how much flower and oil you use.

If you’ve made homemade THC oil and know the percent THC in your starting material, you can use my edibles dosage calculator to guestimate the final potency.

CBD Oil

CBD (cannabidiol) is the second most abundant of all the cannabinoids, next to THC.

It is non-intoxicating, meaning it does not give the feeling of being high, but the use of CBD may provide many other health benefits. 

Full-spectrum CBD oil is derived from the hemp plant’s buds, flowers, or leaves and may also be called CBD hemp oil.

Hemp plants can be bred to naturally produce higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC. 

However, CBD products can come in different ratios of CBD content and other cannabinoids, depending on the strain used.

You can purchase various types of CBD oil online or make your own CBD oil at home with CBD flower that has been decarbed.

When buying CBD oil online, you may notice different terms to describe the oil, including full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate products.

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the plant material, including any trace amounts of THC, and includes the benefits of the entourage effect.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains all of the cannabinoids the cannabis plant contains, but 100% of the THC has been removed.

CBD isolate, or pure CBD, does not contain any THC or other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant; it is just an isolated compound.

You can use CBD oil for cooking and baking, under the tongue, or as a topical.

CBN Oil 

CBN (cannabinol) is a cannabinoid often referred to as ‘the sleep cannabinoid.’

Members of my Well With Cannabis Community who consume CBN report that it produces soothing effects that help them fall asleep and stay asleep longer. 

Many people with insomnia hope that CBN may replace addictive and potentially dangerous prescription drugs. 

CBN is formed when the cannabinoid THC is degraded into the cannabinoid CBN.

You can purchase CBN oil online or make your CBN oil at home using THC flower that has undergone a longer decarboxylation process following this guide for making CBN oil.

CBG Oil 

CBG (cannabigerol) is the precursor to other cannabinoids, like THC, CBD, and CBC.

CBG often gets confused with its more famous cousin, CBD. 

But unlike CBD, a primary cannabinoid, CBG is traditionally found only in trace amounts in cannabis plants. 

While they both are non-intoxicating and won’t make you feel high, some differences do exist.

You can purchase CBG oil online or make your own CBG oil at home using your favorite type of CBG flower.

Cannabis-Infused Cooking Oils

Cannabis oils can further be defined by the carrier oil they are infused with, like coconut, MCT, olive, avocado oil, and more.

These oils can be made with various cannabinoid combinations as outlined above; thus, you could make a CBD olive oil or an MCT CBN oil.

You may see these oils at a dispensary, but they are commonly made at home to be used as a tincture under the tongue, in edibles, or to make topicals.

Making a cannabis-infused oil is a fairly straightforward process that uses decarbed cannabis flower and oil to infuse the cannabinoids from the plant into oil.

There are many different ways to infuse your oil.

For ideal infusion conditions, you can use a crockpot or Instant pot to make water baths at lower temperatures.

The final cannabis-infused oil can be used in your favorite cannabis recipes.

Cannabis Coconut Oil 

Cannabis coconut oil is a vital staple recipe for any cannabis cook to master.

Coconut oil performs similarly to butter in extracting cannabinoids from the plant matter, and it remains solid at room temperature.

Coconut oil is naturally dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, and allergen-friendly.

This cannabis-infused coconut oil is an excellent option for anyone following a specialty diet or looking for an alternative to traditional cannabutter.

Cannabis MCT Oil 

Cannabis-infused MCT oil is a popular cannabis infusion made with just cannabis flowers and MCT oil.

MCT oil is a type of saturated fat extracted from coconuts that are rapidly digested and absorbed by the body.

MCT oil remains liquid at room temperature, is completely clear with no color, and has no flavor.

Many people prefer liquid MCT oil for infusions because it is tasteless, although some people find it more difficult to digest than other oils.

This infusion can be held under the tongue or used in edibles or topicals. 

You can get the recipe for making cannabis-infused MCT oil here.

Cannabis Olive Oil

Cannabis-infused olive oil is a light, delicious, and versatile cannabis infusion.

Cannabis olive can also serve as a vegan cannabutter alternative alongside coconut oil and MCT oil.

Cannabis-infused olive oil can be used to make many different delicious cannabis recipes, like my famous cannabis pesto or lemon cannabis vinaigrette. 

You can get the recipe for cannabis olive oil here.

Other Carrier Oils

There are many different carrier oils you can use to create your perfect type of cannabis oil.

Along with the coconut, olive, and MCT mentioned above; you can try any type of oil, including:

• Hemp seed oil
• Avocado oil
• Sunflower seed oil
• Safflower seed oil
• Vegetable oil

Oil Concentrates and Extracts

In today’s growing market, you can find many products labeled as cannabis oil concentrates and extracts.

Concentrates and extracts deliver a potent product by isolating the best parts of the cannabis plant, the cannabinoids in the trichomes, into a highly concentrated extract.

Some of these concentrates and extracts can be made safely home, while others need to be made in a lab.

Because they are so concentrated, you only need to add a tiny bit to each recipe to get the experience you are looking for. 

And because you only need to add a little bit, cannabis concentrates will not disrupt your food’s volume, texture, or flavor. 

FECO or RSO

Full-extract cannabis oil, also known as FECO, is a concentrated, whole-plant, full-spectrum cannabis extract.

FECO uses high-proof grain alcohol to make a Green dragon or Golden dragon tincture via solvent extraction.

Once the extraction processes are complete, the FECO can be used, including tinctures, capsules, topicals, edibles, and more.

It is not recommended to use FECO for smoking or vaping.

One important thing to note is that many people confuse FECO with RSO – also known as Rick Simpson Oil. 

The main difference between FECO and RSO is the type of alcohol used for the extraction. 

FECO utilizes food-grade grain alcohol, a solvent safer than the isopropyl alcohol or naphtha used in the RSO method.

The outcomes are similar, but isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, like the kind you would find in your medicine cabinet) is not safe to ingest. 

Instead, you can safely make FECO at home with this recipe.

Distillate or Supercritical CO2 Oil

Cannabis distillate is a potent oil extract that contains none of the undesired compounds in the cannabis plant. 

It can be up to 99% pure, meaning it’s one of the most potent extracts. 

Distillates are made through a process called molecular distillation. However, many different methods are used to get to the final product.

Distillates also undergo many refinement processes to help remove all unwanted plant matter, leaving behind a highly refined cannabis oil. 

In addition to edibles, this type of concentrate is also used when vaping cannabis oil.

Other concentrate options are made through various extraction methods, including live resin, wax, shatter, butter, badder, and more.

What is Cannabis Oil Good For?

Although more scientific research and clinical trials are needed to know what cannabis oil is good for medically, anecdotally, members of my Well With Cannabis Community report that cannabis oil helps with:

• Chronic pain
• Neuropathic pain
• Dravet syndrome
• Lennox-gastaut syndrome
• Anxiety and depression
• and more

Cannabis oil products are not allowed to make health claims; these are simply anecdotal reports.

Again, many different forms of cannabis oil are available, and the type you select will significantly impact your outcome.

If you have any medical conditions or are trying to replace prescription medications, you should contact your medical marijuana doctor for guidance, as this site does not provide medical advice.

Where to Buy Cannabis Oil Online

When buying cannabis oil online, it is essential to understand your state laws.

Thanks to the Farm Bill’s passage in December 2018, hemp-derived CBD is federally legal, but it is essential to check with your local state and city regulations to ensure legality where you live.

I wanted to ensure I could provide my readers with accessible, legal cannabis products, so I formulated my high-quality cannabis product line.

Safety Considerations

With cannabis being new to the marketplace, finding the right product for you can be challenging to find the right brand you can trust. 

Unfortunately, we cannot simply trust that companies producing cannabis products act in good faith and produce safe products for human use and consumption.

I understand it is hard to feel confident picking a safe product, so I created a 4-step method for selecting a safe cannabis product.

What to Avoid

When shopping for cannabis oil online, avoiding products made with synthetically derived cannabinoids like delta-8 THC or unsafe solvents such as butane hash oil (BHO) is best.

The Importance of Third-Party Testing

Ensuring independent, third-party lab testing has been conducted on the products you choose to use is imperative to ensure that what is advertised in the product is really in the product. 

Aside from potency testing, it’s also essential to test for heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and more.

Recipes to Make Cannabis Oil at Home

One of the best ways to medicate is to make your cannabis oil at home. 

Making your oils at home can help give you peace of mind about what goes into your products. 

Below you will find all of my guides and recipes designed to help you make cannabis oils from the comfort of your home.