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CBD gummy bears are a great jumping-off point for folks new to cannabidiol; they taste good, they’re colorful, and they cut the hemp flavor that’s common with CBD oils.

Are CBD gummy bears right for you? In this quick introduction, we’ll talk about

What CBD is
What CBD gummy bears are
Some edible CBD nuances to be aware of
And, where to buy your own CBD gummy bears

What Is CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid found in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana plants, CBD does not get the user “high.”

While not backed by any FDA-approved research, many users claim that CBD provides them with a great number of benefits, including:

Better sleep management
Greater sociability
Improved mood
Reduced stress
And more…

Are CBD Gummy Bears Legal?

CBD Gummy Bears (and CBD more broadly) are legal as far as the federal government is concerned. In the 2018 Farm Bill, “Hemp” is technically defined as “cannabis that contains less than 0.3% of THC” by dry weight.

Hemp that tests under that THC limit is considered to be an agricultural commodity, legal throughout the U.S. provided that the vendor has the correct paperwork, and can be shipped anywhere in the country via the United States Postal Service. Pretty neat, huh?

CBD Gummy Bears Are Edible CBD

For some readers that may seem like a “duh” statement, but let’s unpack it. CBD can be consumed in a number of ways.

Smoking/Inhalation – The fastest acting, but usually the smelliest and shortest-lived
Sublingual – Usually oil is placed under the tongue
Topically – For targeted use on muscles and sore areas
Edible – slower to take effect, but considerably more potent and longer-lasting. (CBD gummy bears fall into this category)

In edible form, CBD needs to pass through your stomach and digestive system before the user feels any effect; a process that takes longer than any other ingestion method. The upside is that the effects of edible CBD last longer than any other method.

What’s The Difference Between CBD Gummy Bears Vs. Hemp Gummy Bears?

Buyer beware!

“Hemp” and “CBD” are not interchangeable terms. CBD gummy bears advertised as containing CBD, (should and) will contain cannabidiol. Products advertised as containing hemp more broadly may in fact just contain hemp seed oil and nothing else. You may be paying a premium for a product containing absolutely no CBD.

Because the FDA and USDA are still writing rules for cannabis-infused products, some vendors are taking advantage of new CBD buyers and passing their hemp-seed oil products off as CBD products with creative packaging and industry-specific terminology.

Broad Spectrum Vs. CBD Isolate Gummy Bears

CBD gummy bears are such a great first product for many new CBD users because many of them are manufactured to contain no THC.

Most CBD gummy bears you’ll find will be advertised as ‘made with broad-spectrum CBD’ or ‘CBD Isolate’ and will contain no THC. There are some differences between broad-spectrum and CBD isolate that all buyers should be aware of.

CBD gummy bears made with CBD isolate will only contain CBD and no other cannabinoids.

CBD gummy bears made with broad-spectrum CBD will contain more cannabinoids than isolate and still exclude the THC. As a newer innovation in the CBD space, broad-spectrum CBD gummy bears are likely going to be more expensive than your more common isolate bears and may still have a bit of a hempy flavor.

Sunset Lake’s CBD gummy bears are made with CBD isolate that we derived from hemp plants that we grew up in northern Vermont.

“How Many CBD Gummy Bears Should I Take?”

One of the most common questions new CBD users always have is: “how much should I take?” Because CBD gummy bears are pre-dosed, users can easily control how much CBD they’re taking compared to a hemp-flower smoker.

At Sunset Lake, we always recommend new users start with 25mg of CBD, which is also conveniently reflected in our serving size; one of our sour CBD gummy bears contains 25mg.

“When Should I Take My CBD Gummy Bears?”

While more research is needed, some studies have concluded that eating CBD with a meal, especially one with high-fat content— like a salad dressing made with avocado oil— will help your body absorb the CBD more effectively.

“Where Can I Buy CBD Gummy Bears?”

There are countless sites that offer CBD gummy bears and other edibles— all the options can be dizzying. Before you go ahead and shell out cash, you’ll want to do a little bit of research and ensure two things:

The quality and dosage of the CBD gummy bears
The reputability of the farmers/vendor/drop shipping service

Every vendor of CBD gummy bears should be very upfront with compliance documentation and certificates of analysis. A certificate of analysis is a document from a third party that certifies the dosage and purity of the CBD product in question.

See our CBD gummy bear certificate of analysis here.

Your CBD vendor should also be transparent. Before you buy your CBD gummy bears, make sure you do a quick internet search on the company, read reviews, look at their social media presence, and don’t be afraid to reach out with any questions!

Drop Sunset Lake a line here!

Updated 8/23/2021

Continue reading “What Does CBD Do?”

In solidarity with the striking nurses of St. Vincent’s, a Worcester hospital, and in honor of National Nurses Day, Sunset Lake CBD is donating $2,500 to the nurses’ strike fund. As workers ourselves, we want to support fellow workers fighting for better conditions and contracts.

The nearly 10-week strike is for better pay and staffing levels, the latter of which St. Vincent nurses say, were far too low to ensure adequate patient care.

Why We’re Donating to the St. Vincent Nurses’ Strike Fund

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that all workers are essential. Without workers, our grocery stores wouldn’t be stocked. Deliveries would languish on warehouse floors. Garbage would pile up on the curbs everywhere.

Without workers— nurses, janitors, physician assistants, doctors— who would help us recover in our hour of need? Certainly not wealthy healthcare executives.

As a majority worker-owned business, we understand just how important workers are. That’s why we offer our workers a starting minimum wage of $15/hour and a host of other perks. But we know that it’s not enough to stand by our own workers. We’ve got to invest in the wellbeing of workers all over.

While we know it’s no substitute for standing on the picket line, we’re hoping that this modest donation of $2,500 can help meet some of the needs of the St. Vincent’s striking nurses that are holding strong for better contracts.

See our official press release below:

SUNSET LAKE CBD DONATES $2,500 TO ST. VINCENT’S NURSES’ STRIKE FUND

BURLINGTON, VT May 2021 — Sunset Lake CBD, a majority worker-owned CBD company based in Burlington, Vermont is donating $2,500 to St. Vincent Nurses’ Strike Fund. The announcement of the donation comes on National Nurses Day.

St. Vincent nurses have been on strike since March 8, 2021 over pay and staffing levels, the latter, the nurses say, have been far too low to ensure adequate patient care. Tenet, the Dallas-based healthcare company who owns the Worcester-based hospital, has reportedly posted profits of $97M in the first quarter of 2021.

Sunset Lake CBD, a nearly two-year-old company, has a connection to Worcester through its Director of Operations, T.J. Anania. “As workers ourselves we think it’s important to stand in solidarity whenever we can, however we can,” Anania said. “We can’t really make it down to the picket line, so we wanted to show support with a donation. This strike just really hits close to home— I used to work downtown and deliver food to St. Vincent’s all the time.”

Sunset Lake CBD is a vertically integrated hemp farm in Northwest Vermont. Originally a dairy farm producing milk for Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Sunset Lake decided to diversify in 2019 and started growing hemp for CBD. As a majority worker-owned company, Sunset Lake believes in the importance of workers and has a $15/hour minimum wage.

Updated 8/31/2022

You may be familiar with CBD’s benefits; it’s the second most popular cannabinoid behind THC and touted by some companies as having explicit medicinal benefits (a big no-no according to the FDA.) We’re not going to make any medical claims about CBD in this post.

Instead, we’re going to talk about the benefits of smoking CBD flower, one of the most popular ways that people enjoy their daily dose of CBD.

In this post, we’ll also be covering:

The difference between CBD flower and marijuana,
What smoking CBD feels like,
And, the risks associated with smoking CBD.

Can You Smoke CBD?

One of the most common questions we get from first-time customers: can you smoke CBD flower… like the “other stuff?”

The short answer is yes, you can.

In fact, you can even buy smokable hemp online and have it shipped directly to your door. Isn’t the internet great?

The 5 Benefits of Smoking CBD Flower

1. Smoking CBD Increases Its Bioavailability

Bioavailabilty – “The ability of a drug or other substance to be absorbed and used by the body.”

Smoking CBD flower increases CBD’s bioavailability. According to a 2017 Chemistry & Biodiversity study, about 50% of the CBD you smoke makes it into your bloodstream, as opposed to only 5% of the CBD you eat.

Why? Edible CBD doesn’t absorb into your bloodstream via your digestive tract as readily as vaporized CBD does when it comes in contact with your lung tissue.

2. Smoking CBD Works Faster Than Other Methods

One of the more noticeable benefits of smoking CBD is the speed at which it enters your bloodstream. When you inhale vaporized CBD, it comes in contact with your lung tissue almost immediately.

Some studies suggest that after smoking CBD, concentrations in your bloodstream will reach their peak in just three minutes. That’s opposed to two or three hours when eaten.

Because smoking CBD is the fastest way to ingest and metabolize CBD, it would make sense that your body will process and dispose of CBD faster when you smoke it than compared to other ingestion methods. In other words, smokable CBD will leave your system faster.

3. Smoking CBD Is More Affordable Than Other Methods

Because CBD flower requires relatively little processing as compared to edibles, oils, and topicals, one of the biggest benefits of smoking CBD is the price tag.

If you want to get the most milligrams of CBD for your dollar, look no further than hemp flower. Most hemp farms will carry CBD flower as it requires almost no specialized equipment to produce, it’s easy to store, and it’s easy to ship.

Read: How To Find Affordable CBD – Our 2022 Guide

4. Full-Spectrum Benefits From Smoking CBD Flower

You may notice that some CBD products are labeled “full-spectrum” or “broad-spectrum.” Those labels indicate whether or not that product contains cannabinoids other than CBD.

Full-spectrum refers to CBD products that still contain trace amounts of THC in them.

Broad-spectrum refers to CBD products that have had its trace amounts of THC removed. Broad-spectrum CBD products may or may not contain the other 100+ native cannabinoids native to the hemp plant.

When you smoke CBD flower, you’re consuming full-spectrum CBD. Many believe that this is the best way to consume CBD as it provides the users with the entourage effect— aptly named for the effect produced when all cannabinoids work together to provide feelings of calm and relief.

5. The Relaxation of Smokable Cannabis Without The “High”

Smoking CBD flower will not make you feel “high.”

Why? THC and CBD are not the same.

THC is a cannabinoid produced in high concentrations by some cannabis plants (classified as marijuana.) It’s responsible for the psychoactive high that users feel from recreational and medicinal marijuana.

Note: All of that said, there are some “CBD” flowers on the market today that have compliant levels of delta-9 THC and high levels of THCa, the precursor to delta-9. When smoked, THCa converts into delta-9 THC. This type of hemp flower exploits a loophole in the system and will make you feel intoxicated. If you’re looking for a CBD flower that will not get you high, make sure to look at the flower’s certificate of analysis. This third-party lab document should tell you the total THC and total CBD present in your flower. Be sure to pick a strain with relatively low total THC concentrations.

Honorable Mention: Smoking CBD Can Help Some Quit Tobacco

This benefit of smoking CBD didn’t make it into our list of five because it’s not a universally shared benefit, though it still deserves some attention.

If you’re ready to quit cigarettes, but don’t want to do so cold turkey, smoking CBD might be the answer. Some studies have concluded that CBD may ease the anxiety common in folks quitting tobacco and help curb cravings.

Is Smoking CBD Addictive?

Smoking CBD is not addictive that we know of. Cannabis science is still relatively young and there is still much to learn, but as of right now we don’t believe that smoking CBD will cause any dependencies.

What’s the Difference Between CBD Flower and Marijuana?

CBD hemp flower and THC marijuana look, smell, taste, and smoke similarly. There’s a reason for that. High-yielding THC marijuana strains were used and bred to create many of the CBD flower strains that we know and love today.

But, and this is a very important distinction, to be classified as industrial hemp and compliant with the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD flower must contain no more than a 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC by dry weight. Most CBD flower you’ll find on the market today contains less than 1% of total THC.

Because of its higher THC concentration, smoking marijuana will make you feel intoxicated. As we’ve mentioned, one of the benefits of smoking CBD is that you will not feel the “high,” but will reap the benefits of consuming full-spectrum cannabis.

What Does Smoking CBD Feel Like?

Smoking CBD will feel different for everyone based on a number of factors:

Context – are you smoking for a specific reason?
How much you’ve smoked
How long have you been smoking CBD – have you built up a tolerance?

Many users report feelings like a deep sense of calm, focus, sociability, and some sleep benefits after smoking CBD.

Smoking higher doses of CBD may make you feel more tired than anything, and if you’ve been smoking for a long time, you may need higher doses to maintain the same benefits.

How Do You Smoke CBD?

There are several ways to smoke CBD, some methods are more convenient than others.

Pre-rolls – Great for the on-the-go and social smokers who like to share with friends.
CBD Cigarettes – A nice substitute for smokers trying to ween themselves from tobacco.
Flower – If you have a pipe at home, CBD flower is a great option.

Does Smoking CBD Have Any Side Effects?

Smoking anything involves risks. When you smoke dried plant material, tars and carcinogens will inevitably make contact with your throat and lungs.

Smoking CBD flower does not present the same risks as smoking cigarettes does. While smoking excessive amounts of CBD flower may cause some respiratory issues, it’s not made with excessive cancer-causing chemical additives that cigarette tobacco is.

Smoking CBD can also interact with some prescription drugs, so please do check with your doctor or pharmacist before trying CBD.

You needn’t even be a big smoker to know that April 20 (4/20) is an international holiday with celebrations in many ‘westernized’ countries.

But few know how the number became synonymous with recreational THC-cannabis use, or who popularized the date April 20th as the “marijuana holiday.”

What Does ‘420’ Mean?

There are many folk tales about how 420 gained its significance, like:

It refers to the number of chemical compounds (cannabinoids) [Link to one of our cannabinoid posts] found in the cannabis plant.
If you take the Bob Dylan song “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” and multiply the numbers, you get 420.
The number comes from the U.S. House Bill to legalize THC cannabis.
It’s the code among police officers to refer to “marijuana smoking in progress.”
It’s named for the day Bob Marley died (he passed on May 11th)
April 20th is the best time of year to plant your cannabis (This may be true, depending on your climate)

The History of ‘420’

The most believable story takes us back to San Rafael, California in 1971. It was here, in a small bay area city, where a group of high school friends, lovingly named “Waldos” for their affinity of leaning on walls, started smoking cannabis.

Nixon’s War on Drugs started the same year as a means to control organized youth movements and political opponents to the Vietnam war. Cannabis, a favorite among the coming-of-age baby boomer generation became the top target.

The Waldos needed some way to communicate with one another about their after-school intentions. “4:20 Louis” meant ‘meet at the campus’s statue of Louis Pasteur after class.

One Waldo is quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle as saying “[420] was just a joke, but it came to mean all kinds of things, like, ‘Do you have any?’ or ‘Do I look stoned?”

How ‘420’ Went Mainstream

One of the Waldos, Dave Reddix, would go on to work with the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh as a roadie. The band is believed to help popularize ‘420’ among its audiences, even going so far in 1990, as to hand out flyers that invited fans to smoke ‘420’ on April 20 at 4:20 ᴘ.ᴍ.

(As some of us at Sunset Lake are former dairy farmers we want to give a huge shoutout to Louis Pasteur)

As Deadheads traveled, so too did ‘420.’ A year after the flyer in 1990, a reporter for High Times Magazine printed the invitation and the number picked up steam, continuing to grow over the last 30 years.

Note: If you’re a retailer in the market to buy wholesale or bulk hemp flower, please use this contact form.

Help, I’ve Bought Bulk Hemp Flower And I Don’t Know What To Do With It

It’s a problem that plagues a good many hemp flower enthusiasts: you find a great deal on bulk hemp flower— too good to pass up. Your eyes grow a bit bigger while you look at its trichome macros. You reach for your wallet and before you know it you get a confirmation email for a whole pound of hemp flower.

It’s three days later and your package arrives safe and sound on your doorstep. Those first few moments after open it are glorious; a whole vacuum-sealed block of bud bigger than your head and it’s just for you.

But now it’s a week later. You’ve cut into that pound and used maybe 18 of your 454 grams. What do you do with the rest of it?

Whatever you want, just be sure to store it properly.

In this post, we’ll talk about just that: how to best store your bulk hemp flower so that you maintain its quality over time.

Storing Bulk Hemp Flower: The Short Term

Like any other perishable good, you’ll want to keep your bulk hemp flower in a dark, cool place. But that’s just the bare minimum. Consider using curing techniques to extend the shelf life of your bud for up to two years.

These techniques will help you address the four big factors that can lead to the degradation of your bud.

Those four things are:

Excessive heat
High humidity
Oxygen
Light

Keep Your Bulk Hemp Flower Dry— Finding That Humidity Sweet Spot

During the cure, you’ll want to ensure a relative humidity (RH) level between 60% and 65%. If it’s much higher than that, your bulk hemp flower may become damp and clump together making it a playground for bacteria and any residual mold spores.

If your RH is much lower than 60%, your bulk hemp flower can grow brittle and the trichome heads could break off, decreasing the potency of your buds.

Luckily there are two-way humidity packs that make maintaining your RH in the low 60s a breeze. Recommended brands include Boveda and Integra. Depending on the amount of bud you’re curing, an eight-gram two-way humidity pack will ensure your bulk hemp flower stays in the humidity sweet spot.

Keep a Cool Head— Don’t Let Your Bulk Hemp Flower Get Too Hot

While heat (and even combustion) can be your friend while consuming hemp flower, it’s not going to do you any favors during your cure. Keep your bulk hemp flower below 70F (21C.) Any higher and you risk making your bud a breeding ground for microorganisms.

Excessive heat can also make your hemp flower lose potency over time by speeding up the decarboxylation process.

Keep it Locked Up— Don’t Let Your Bulk Hemp Flower Breath

Too much oxygen (airflow) can hasten the degradation of your hemp flower’s cannabinoids. You’ll want to use airtight, inert containers to cure and store your buds. Mason and Ball brand glass jars are classics because they are inexpensive and easy to use.

If you share a living space with children, consider using airtight containers with child-proof lids.

Keep it Dark— Protect Your Bulk Hemp Flower Out of the Light

Of the four factors listed above, if you want to maintain your bulk hemp flower’s potency you must keep it away from light. Exposing your bud to UV light can quickly destroy its cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

If you use clear glass jars to keep your cure airtight, store them somewhere out of direct sunlight. And, if you want to get fancy, you can store your bulk hemp flower in dark- or amber-colored glass jars to add another layer of UV protection.

Your Guide to Storing Bulk Hemp Flower

Prepare your flower

If you’ve bought your bulk hemp flower from Sunset Lake, you don’t really have to worry about this step. We remove all fan leaves, trim, and slow-cure all of our buds in an environmentally-controlled warehouse to ensure quality and proper moisture levels.

If you’re curing your own home-grown hemp flower, this step is important. Before you cure, your hemp flower needs to hang upside down in a relatively dry and dark space with proper airflow for not less than seven days, at which point it’s time to remove all the excess plant material with a light trim. During this initial hang, you’ll notice your buds lose a lot of their volume— this is excess water evaporating away.

Divide Your Bulk Hemp Flower into Your Jars

Assuming that you’ve gathered a few clean glass jars, it’s time to fill them up with your bud. Fill your jars up until they are ¾ of the way full— it’s important to leave some room.

After you fill your jar, shake it around a bit. Your hemp flower should move around freely. If the buds stick together, they need to dry out a bit more. Leave the top unscrewed and let it sit open for another 12 hours.

Store it

Once your buds are dried to the point that they don’t clump together in the jar, it’s time to seal them up. Secure your jar’s airtight top and store it in a dark place, cool place.

If you have a two-way humidity pack, now is the time to use it. Depending on the relative humidity, this two-way pack can pull moisture out of the environment or put it back in— a great way to keep your bulk hemp flower at the ideal level.

Burping Bulk Hemp Flower

For the first couple of weeks during a *new* cure, you’ll want to open your jars once or twice a day for a few minutes each and let excess moisture evaporate off.

Take this time to visually examine for mold and smell the buds. Anything that looks fuzzy— either white or brown— should be removed from your jar immediately. If your buds smell like ammonia, it may indicate the presence of bacteria and mean that your buds are still a bit too moist.

This step isn’t as crucial if you’ve bought your bulk hemp flower from Sunset Lake. Our initial slow-curing process ensures that your buds are evenly dried.

Enjoy it (For Up to Two Years)

If you’ve followed all the above steps, you can extend the shelf life of your bulk hemp flower up to two years. Be sure to regularly check up on your bud, if not to look at how awesome the flower looks, to check for any signs of mold or discoloration.

Happy Curing!

What’s better than waking up with a full-bodied cup of dark-roast coffee?

How about a full-bodied cup of dark-roast coffee infused with CBD? You heard me right; CBD isn’t just for soft gels and tinctures. You can now get your daily dose of CBD with your morning (or mid-afternoon) cup of coffee.

Intrigued? In this post, we’re going to be answering a few questions, like,

What is CBD?
What is CBD coffee?
Why choose CBD coffee?
How to find the best CBD coffee

What is CBD?

CBD is one of the 113 known cannabinoids, or chemical compounds, present in cannabis plants.

Cannabis? Doesn’t that have THC?

Sure. While cannabis, and specifically marijuana, is famous for THC and it’s euphoric and intoxicating effects, hemp, and the cannabidiol harvested from it is non-psychoactive. That means consuming CBD by itself won’t get you high.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD interacts with our bodies in a number of ways— the main being its effect on our endocannabinoid system— a network of receptors that helps our bodies regulate:

Sleep
Mood
Stress
General appetite and metabolism
Memory and learning
Inflammation

CBD mimics the endocannabinoids (internal) that our bodies naturally produce. Some believe that consuming CBD can actually help a user’s entire endocannabinoid system run more efficiently.

What Is CBD Coffee?

CBD coffee is the infusion of CBD into coffee and can be made in any number of ways.

In coffee shops, you may see options to “add CBD shot” to your drink. This entails adding CBD oil to your drink, whatever that may be— espresso, cold brew, latte, you name it. It’s easy enough to do, but you may notice an oily sheen on the surface of your drink.

Most retail CBD coffee you’ll find is made by either infusing CBD into the bean during the roasting process or adding powdered CBD isolate to the ground coffee.

What Does CBD Coffee Do?

Think about CBD coffee as a balancing act. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant and one of the main reasons that we all get out of bed in the morning. But, if you overindulge, you may find yourself getting the jitters and all that entails.

CBD, on the other hand, helps users mellow out. Too much can make you feel sluggish and ready for a nap.

The two complement each other quite well. CBD-infused coffee can give you the boost you need to start your day, but without the jitters of normal coffee.

How To Dose CBD Coffee?

Depending on how you choose to make your CBD coffee, this part may already be done for you!

Adding CBD Post-Brew

If you want to make your own CBD coffee, you’re going to need your very own CBD, whether it’s

CBD Kief
CBD Oil
or CBD isolate powder for those wary of the trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum products

Measure out the amount you want to add to your coffee; we always recommend starting with a 25mg dose. Add the CBD to your cup prior, and pour your coffee. (Note: if you’re using kief to infuse your coffee— you need to make hot coffee. Otherwise, it won’t work)

If Using Infused Beans

Some CBD-infused coffees are created with the perfect cup in mind; meaning each serving of ground coffee will contain roughly the same amount of CBD. No oil droppers or kitchen scale required. Just grind, brew, and enjoy.

How To Find the Best CBD Coffee

To find the best CBD-infused coffee, you’re going to want to do a little bit of homework before you buy. First, ask yourself…

How was the Coffee Sourced?

Is your coffee packaged ground or whole bean?
Was it roasted as part of a small batch?
Is it from a single source or does the packaging not indicate it?

Coffee connoisseurs will tell you that to truly experience coffee you should brew a single regional bean at a time and only grind your beans right before.

How was the CBD Sourced?

Finding out where your CBD comes from is just as important as making a good cup of coffee. You’ll want to make sure that the hemp that your CBD was derived from was grown in the United States.

Do some research too, into how that hemp was grown, and under what labor practices. Made with love may be a cliché nowadays, but made with dignity certainly isn’t.

What Does the Certificate of Analysis Say?

When finding your perfect CBD-infused coffee, you’ll want to have a look at its certificate of analysis. This report, preferably produced by a neutral, third-party laboratory, will tell you if the amount of CBD advertised on the package is accurate or not. This is important, as a 2017 University of Pennsylvania study found that nearly 70% of CBD products were mislabeled when it came to their advertised potency.

For more on reading your certificate of analysis, check out our post: How to Read a CoA

About Sunset Lake’s CBD Coffee

Sunset Lake’s CBD coffee was created with the perfect morning cup in mind. Each serving (12g of whole beans) contains 24mg of CBD.

Not only that, but we grow our own CBD hemp which we then use to infuse the coffee. And, as farmers, we take great care to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our soil, meaning we never use pesticides or harmful chemicals on our hemp.

We approached our CBD coffee with the same beliefs in mind. That’s why we partnered with a local coffee roaster, who sources all of their beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified Farms.

How Do You Brew Sunset Lake’s CBD Coffee?

You can brew our CBD coffee with any traditional method— drip, French press, pour-over, but we do recommend avoiding paper filters as they can filter out a portion of CBD before it reaches your cup. We recommend using reusable, metal mesh filters.

Sunset Lake’s CBD Coffee Lineup

Our CBD coffee availability is subject to change. Because we work with a local small-batch roaster, the availability of single-origin sourced beans changes. This does allow us to introduce new and exciting limited releases constantly— each with its own flavor profile and mouthfeel.

We make our CBD coffee with help from Good Luck Coffee Roasters. With their extensive coffee sourcing network, roasting knowledge, and determination, we’ve dialed in a roast that gave us a nice morning dose of CBD and tasted amazing.

Updated 8/20/21

Delta-8 THC: An Overview

Delta-8 THC products are taking the market by storm right now and it’s easy to understand why. As a close substitute to delta-9 THC (a Schedule-I Controlled Substance per the D.E.A.), delta-8 THC is a hemp-derived cannabinoid that can replicate the effects of delta-9 THC and make users feel intoxicated.

As a minor cannabinoid, there are still a lot of questions about delta-8 THC like:

What is delta-8 THC?
Is delta-8 THC legal?
Will delta-8 THC make me fail a drug test?
And more….

We’re going to do our best to answer all of these questions and more in this post.

What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant and is present in both industrial hemp and marijuana. Delta-8 THC is considered a minor cannabinoid and only appears naturally in very small (<1%) concentrations.

Because of its legally murky status and psychoactive effects, commercial hemp growers and cannabinoid extractors have utilized selective breeding, extraction techniques, and molecular manipulation to produce greater quantities of delta-8 THC.

What’s the Difference Between Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is an isomer of the more common delta-9 THC cannabinoid meaning that while its molecular formula (C₂₁H₃₀O₂) is the same, the arrangement of the atoms that make up the molecule differs.

Notice where the double bond is in the two molecular diagrams above. Delta-8 THC has its double bond between atoms 8 and 9. Delta-9 THC has its double bond between atoms 9 and 10.

While it may seem a minuscule difference, the double bond placement has caused a big stir for delta-8 THC enthusiasts, the hemp industry, and even the law— all of which we will dig into below.

What are the Effects of Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC users say that the intoxicating effects are similar to the effects of delta-9 THC, with some minor differences.

Users say that a delta-8 THC high comparatively is:

Less potent
More clear-headed
More energetic

According to the National Cancer Institute, delta-8 THC is:

Antiemetic – a drug that helps prevent or manage nausea and vomiting.
- In a 1995 study following eight pediatric cancer patients, researchers found that no vomiting occurred 24 hours after treatments when patients ingested delta-8 THC beforehand and in six-hour increments after the treatment.
Anxiolytic – a drug used to help reduce or relieve anxiety.
Appetite-stimulating
Analgesic – a drug with pain-relieving properties.
Neuroprotective – to help preserve both the neuron’s structure and function.

Why is Delta-8 THC Less Potent than Delta-9?

A good question that can be traced back to delta-8 THC’s aforementioned different double bond. Whereas delta-9 THC is really good at binding to human’s CB1 receptor— part of our endocannabinoid system— delta-8 THC isn’t as good a ‘fit for said receptor.

The poor fit means that the cannabinoid doesn’t latch onto our receptors as readily and as a result, delta-8 THC users feel a less intense intoxication compared to a similar dose of delta-9 THC.

Does Using Delta-8 THC Have Any Side Effects?

Because delta-8 THC is considered a minor cannabinoid, there isn’t much research completed or being conducted on its use. What we do know about delta-8 THC use is based largely on animal studies, which while helpful, don’t always give us a good idea about how a substance will affect human beings.

Is Delta-8 THC Legal?

The following isn’t intended to be legal advice and should not be referred to as such.

Yes and no.

The 2018 Farm Bill reaffirmed that it was federally legal to grow, cultivate, and transport industrial hemp (cannabis with lower than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight) across state lines. Judge James Gilbert ruled that products derived from hemp fell under this umbrella too the KAB vs United States Postal Service case.

Given that delta-8 THC is derived from hemp, it is legal as far as the Farm Bill is concerned. Here’s where it gets murky.

In late 2020, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (D.E.A.) issued an “Interim Final Rule” that stated “ [all] synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols remain schedule 1 controlled substances.” Barring any significant legal challenges, that will mean hemp-derived delta-8 THC will join delta-9 THC as a federally-restricted cannabinoid.

Because 2020 was an election year, this rule was put on hold while the new administration transitioned in. They needed time to review all pending regulatory rules before giving them the go ahead.

There have been indications, that the new administration would allow this “Interim Final Rule” to go into effect this year. Hence there is a bit of confusion about the current and future legality of delta-8 THC.

A handful of states have advanced legislation that outlaw synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols derived from industrial hemp, ostensibly to get out ahead of the incoming DEA rules.

Is Delta-8 THC Legal in My State?

At the time of this writing in March 2021, if you live in one of the following 13 states, you can not have delta-8 THC products shipped to you.

Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California – Legal, but no shipping from out of state
Colorado – Legal, but no shipping from out of state
Delaware
Idaho
Iowa
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada – Legal, but no shipping from out of state
Rhode Island
Utah

If you don’t see your state on this list, you can likely find hemp-derived delta-8 THC at a local or online retailer. This list is subject to change as the rules and regulations surrounding delta-8 THC are currently up in the air.

Where Can I Get Delta-8 THC Cartridges?

Delta-8 vaping cartridges are another story entirely. Because of the “Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act,” the United States Postal Service will no longer be carrying vaping cartridges or accessories.

This on the heels of announcements from the two private domestic shipping companies, UPS and FedEx, who’ve announced that because of the complexities and red tape involved that they will no longer be carrying delta-8 THC cartridges either.

Private courier companies may step up to fill this shipping vacuum, though delta-8 THC cartridge prices will likely increase as a result.

Will Delta-8 THC Make Me Fail a Drug Test?

Yes, it will.

Even though most delta-8 THC is derived from industrial hemp, urine analysis and other generic substance-use tests are not sophisticated enough to discern between the delta-9 and delta-8 THC consumption.

These tests work by detecting the presence of molecules called THC metabolites. When we consume tetrahydracannabinols, our bodies break them down into smaller compounds. These THC metabolites have unique signatures and when they’re present in the body, they are a sign that we’ve consumed THC.

So whether you’re taking delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, or even full-spectrum CBD products there is a chance that these metabolites will show up during screening, regardless of the concentration, and cause you to fail a drug test.

Where Does Delta-8 THC Come From?

There are a number of ways to create delta-8 THC from industrial hemp and all of them require a bit of science, some specialized equipment, and a lot of know-how.

Warning: Delta-8 THC is created using chemical solvents and acids. The conversion process should only be performed in the safety of a well-equipped lab by knowledgeable technicians to ensure not only your own safety, but the quality and safety of the final product. You are not Walter White, do not try this at home.

How to Make Delta-8 THC with Solvents

To convert hemp-derived CBD isolate into delta-8 THC, you start by dissolving your isolate in sulfuric acid in glacial acetic acid. Once dissolved, let it stand at room temperature and time will do the rest. After three days your CBD converts in 15% delta-9 THC, 54% delta-8 THC, 10% delta-8-iso THC (an isomer of delta-8 THC,) and 10% CBD.

Once the conversion is complete, the solution is added to water. Sodium bicarbonate is added to that to raise the pH level.

Desired cannabinoids are extracted with petrol ether, washed with water, and heated to evaporate and residual solvents. Purification to increase delta-8 THC yields and remove delta-9 from your solution can be achieved with chromatography— a method of separating liquids by passing it through a medium in which the components (CBD, delta-9, delta-8) move at different rates.

How to Make Solventless Delta-8 THC

Not a fan of solvents? Don’t worry because there’s a delta-8 THC conversion for you! Hemp-derived CBD isolate can be converted into delta-8 THC with the use of anhydrous Zinc Chloride (ZnCL₂) and an oxygen-less environment.

Heat your CBD isolate with a small amount of Zinc Chloride, apply heat, and stir. After two hours 40-50% delta-9 and delta-8 THC will have formed from the CBD.

The more specialized equipment comes into play for both our solvent and solventless methods when we want to refine the final product and create a more pure delta-8 THC product free of contaminants and more importantly delta-9 THC.

Every new industry has its fair share of jargon and the CBD industry is no different. There are so many three-letter abbreviations that it’s easy to feel a little turned around.

In this post, we’re going to cover a few of these abbreviations, including:

What does CBD stand for?
What does THC stand for?
What is a C.o.A.?

By the end of this post, you’ll know what CBD stands for and much more.

What Does CBD Stand For?

CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol. The letters CBD come from within the word shown here: Canna-Bi-Diol.

CBD is one of the more than 113 cannabinoids, or chemical compounds, found in hemp and cannabis. Cannabinoids are under-researched but present exciting avenues in the health and wellness field. THC is another cannabinoid, but unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and non-addictive.

Related: What is Cannabidiol?

How Does CBD Work?

CBD interacts with our body as an endocannabinoid system facilitator meaning that it helps optimize our endocannabinoid system responsible for:

Mood
Stress
Appetite and metabolism
Inflammation

What Are The Benefits Of CBD?

While the research has yet to be confirmed, there are some studies that suggest CBD can help with a number of issues, including:

This post is in no way claiming that CBD can diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent illness or disease.

Is CBD A Drug?

In the most technical sense, yes, CBD is a drug. It’s a naturally-occurring substance that you can take to help relax, improve focus, or help manage sleep.

CBD is also the main ingredient in Epidiolex, an FDA-approved anti-seizure medication.

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD was removed from the Controlled Substance Act. While we can think of CBD as a beneficial substance, it would be incorrect to consider CBD a drug in the same way that narcotics are.

What Does CBDa Stand For?

The letters CBDa are an abbreviation of cannabidiolic acid, Canna-Bi-Diolic Acid, the acidic precursor molecule of CBD.

Cannabidiolic acid is mainly found in raw, unprocessed forms of hemp and will convert to CBD via a process called decarboxylation.

As of now, less is known about CBDa and its potential benefits, though some early studies indicate that CBD may help with inflammation and seizure management.

What Does THC Stand For?

The only cannabinoid more widely recognized than CBD, THC is an abbreviation of tetrahydrocannabinol (Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinol.) More specifically, THC is often used interchangeably with Δ9-THC— spoken as delta-nine-THC.

Δ9-THC is a schedule I substance in the United States. Under the greater THC umbrella, some legally murky THC analogs exist, like:

Δ8-THC (delta-eight tetrahydrocannabinol)
Δ10-THC (delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol)
THCv (tetrahydrocannabivarin)
THC-O (THC-O acetate)
HHC (hexahydrocannabinol)
And more…

THC and its analogous molecules are best known for their psychoactive properties like euphoria, heightened awareness, and time dilation.

What Does THCa Stand For?

THCa is an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinolic Acid,) the acidic precursor molecule of THC.

Tetrahydrocannabolic acid is mainly found in raw forms of marijuana and recreational cannabis. THCa will convert into Δ9-THC via decarboxylation.

What Does CBG Stand For?

CBG is short for Cannabigerol (Canna-Bi-Gerol,) another of the dozens of natural cannabinoids produced by hemp and cannabis plants.

CBG is still relatively under-researched and in pre-clinical stages. As of right now, CBG research is limited to animals, but there are some promising early results like:

CBG is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.
CBG has been shown to slow and inhibit tumor growth in animals
CBG is believed to have neuroprotective properties and could further research into Huntington’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and several other auto-immune diseases.

CBG also has an acidic precursor just like CBD and THC, but CBGa is a little more special than the rest. By way of a process called “CBDa/THCa synthase” CBGa will actually turn into each respective molecule + a hydrogen peroxide molecule.

It’s also believed that synthase may contribute to the cannabis plant’s self-defense system. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antifungal and antibacterial agent.

What Does CBN Stand For?

CBN is short for cannabinol (Canna-Bi-Nol,) and is another of the dozens of naturally-occurring cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants. CBN, like its precursor cannabinoid THC, is considered to be mildly psychoactive.

CBN is one of the newest cannabinoids on the market. CBN is underresearched and its potential benefits are probably overhyped. That said, there is some evidence to suggest that CBN may help:

Promote restfulness
Soothe minor aches and pains
As a neuroprotectant

What Does CoA Stand For?

CoA is short for Certificate of Analysis— a document, usually provided by a neutral third-party laboratory, that certifies what’s in a product. In the hemp and cannabis industry, certificates of analysis are used to verify potency, dosing, and to ensure no harmful substances like solvents or heavy metals are in the product.

You should always ask to be provided a CoA when purchasing CBD or cannabis products. Reputable vendors should happily provide you with one. Have a look at ours here!

We also have a guide explaining in-depth how to read your very own CBD CoA. Learn how to read your CoA here

What Does CBD Stand For: Final Word

CBD is everywhere now: in your soaps, in your candy, and even in your dog’s favorite treats. While knowing what CBD stands for is a great introduction, there’s still plenty to learn about the world of CBD.

Check out our blogs on CBD, CBN, and how to become a sharper CBD consumer here.

Updated 8/10/2022

Of all the simple pleasures in life, what’s better than a well-crafted piece of chocolate? How about chocolate infused with CBD?

The growing popularity of cannabidiol, more widely known as CBD, has led to the emergence of plenty of exciting new CBD-infused products— tinctures, pet supplements, topicals among them.

In this post, we’ll be talking about one of the most exciting new products out there: CBD Chocolate.

What is CBD?

CBD is one of the 113 known cannabinoids, or chemical compounds, present in cannabis plants. Cannabidiol is one of the more well-known cannabinoids, second only to THC.

The big differences between CBD and THC are in their respective effects. While THC is known for its intoxicating effects, hemp-derived CBD is non-psychoactive. That means consuming CBD by itself won’t get you high. The World Health Organization has even stated, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential….”

Take a deeper dive: What Does CBD Stand For?

What is CBD Chocolate?

At its simplest, CBD chocolate is an infusion of chocolate and CBD via the natural fats present in chocolate. The latter are crucial as a vehicle for the CBD. Cannabinoids are generally fat soluble and need to be combined with an oil in order for them to be properly digested.

Many folks choose to infuse butter with CBD when making chocolates, but oils like coconut oil or avocado oil are fine substitutes.

Will CBD Chocolate Get Me High?

No! CBD chocolate made with hemp extract will not make you feel intoxicated. They don’t contain enough of the psychotropic cannabinoid THC.

That said, do make sure to review the certificate of analysis for your CBD chocolate product. This third-party analysis of the product should tell you the concentrations of the different cannabinoids present in your chocolate.

See our post about reading your certificate of analysis here.

How does CBD Chocolate work?

Like more traditional CBD edibles, CBD chocolate will:

Take effect gradually – When you eat CBD chocolate, you probably won’t notice anything for at least 30-60 minutes. For some, this is a nicer way to ease into CBD’s calming effects. This can also be an inadvertent drawback for some. We strongly recommend resisting the urge to indulge further until you’ve waited the full hour after the first piece.

Last longer – If you’re looking for longer-lasting CBD, eating CBD chocolate is the way to go. Whereas the effects from smoking CBD hemp flower last anywhere from 1-4 hours, ingesting edible CBD will extend the effects to anywhere from 3-6 hours depending on the dosage.

Ensure accurate dosing – CBD chocolate and other portioned edibles can make dosing easy. Sunset Lake’s CBD Chocolate Fudge is portioned out into convenient 25mg pieces.

Taste better – In terms of comfort food, it doesn’t get much better than chocolate. The same goes for CBD chocolate.

How To Dose Your CBD Chocolate

As mentioned in the previous section, CBD chocolate can be a double-edged sword. While it may be one of the tastiest ways to enjoy your CBD, it’s also easy to overindulge.

Take care to follow the dosing instructions on the product packaging. (Tip: if there is none, don’t be afraid to reach out to the vendor and ask) Once you get a sense of how you and your body responds to the edible, you can adjust your dose accordingly.

Benefits of CBD Chocolate

Besides the calming effects, CBD chocolate can also provide you with some very unique benefits, namely Anandamide uptake.

Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that helps your brain regulate serotonin, dopamine, and has even been found to help reverse depressive-like behaviors in some animals. Named after the Sanskrit word for “bliss,” anandamide is a big reason why it feels so good to indulge with a bit of chocolate now and then.

Anandamide is, like CBD, a cannabinoid that interacts with your endocannabinoid system. Together, CBD and anandamide can create a powerful 1-2 punch of relaxation. Some studies suggest that the fats in chocolate, plus the anandamide, help protect CBD molecules during digestion and increase the bioavailability of both. Not only is CBD chocolate a tasty edible, but it may be one of the most efficient too!

What Sunset Lake Customers Are Saying About Our CBD Chocolate Fudge

Kylie P. writes:

Absolute loved the fudge. I watch The Majority Report and heard from Sam that this was his favorite because of the taste as well as the effect. I bought it for my mom during the 420 sale and she loved it for sleep so much that I got the 3pack this time around. Will definitely be getting another 3pack for the both of us, we’ve learned that these can’t be shared, they’re too delicious!

Want to try some of our CBD chocolate for yourself? Check it out here!

Updated 8/18/2021

Like weighted blankets and thunder shirts, every proud pet parent will do whatever it takes to make sure that their pets are happy, healthy, and comfortable. Now that CBD pet products have flooded the shelves, thanks in part to CBD’s soaring popularity with people.

We want to help you figure out what’s best for your furry family members, and hopefully, help clear up any questions you may have and dispel any exaggerated claims made about CBD for pets.

In this post, we’ll try and answer your questions, like:

What is CBD?
How does CBD Work?
What does CBD for Pets do?
What are CBD’s side effects?

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the 113 known cannabinoids, or chemical compounds, present in cannabis plants. Cannabidiol is one of the more well-known cannabinoids, second only to THC.

Chemically speaking, the two aren’t all that different. The real big difference between CBD and THC are in their respective effects. While THC is known its intoxicating effects, CBD is non-psychoactive. That means consuming cannabidiol by itself won’t get you high.

The World Health Organization has even stated, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential….”

Read our more comprehensive: What is Cannabidiol?

How Does CBD Work?

Cannabidiol interacts with human bodies in a number of ways— the main being its effect on our endocannabinoid system— a biological system native to humans, cats, dogs, and more.

The endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors that helps us regulate:

Sleep
Mood
Stress
General appetite and metabolism
Memory and learning
Inflammation

Some believe that consuming external cannabinoids like CBD can actually help a user’s entire endocannabinoid system run more efficiently.

Sure, but what about CBD for pets?

There aren’t any FDA-approved studies on hemp-derived CBD’s veterinarian uses. But, because our pets have similar endocannabinoid systems to humans, it’s believed that CBD interacts with their peripheral and central nervous systems in the same way that it does with humans.

What Does CBD For Pets Do?

There are few scientific studies on CBD’s effect on our pets. And, given the relatively short time that CBD has been federally legal, it makes sense. Expect more efficacy and risk studies to publish in the years to come.

That said, many pet owners who do use CBD say that it helps their pets’s:

Anxiety
Sleep
Appetite
Nausea
Joint Pain & Mobility
Seizures

Note:

The first data for veterinary-specific use of CBD to treat seizures in dogs were released in 2019. Researchers found a statistically significant 89% reduction in seizure frequency in dogs receiving small amounts of CBD compared to the 43% reduction in the control group. The results warrant additional studies into CBD dosage and seizure frequency.

Additional research into CBD for pets is being pursued by the American Kennel Club, specifically to evaluate the use of CBD in treatment-resistant epileptic dogs.

CBD For Pets: What are the Side Effects?

Because there is little research into pet CBD use, veterinarians can extrapolate potential animal side effects based on how CBD affects humans.

Dry mouth: CBD can slow the production of saliva. CBD for pets could manifest itself as increased thirst.
Low blood pressure: Large doses of CBD can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure. This can lead to brief feelings of light-headedness.
Drowsiness: While many owners have been known to use CBD for pets to manage anxiety, there is a possibility of overdoing it. Too much CBD may make your pet drowsy.

The best way to avoid any unwanted side effects is to consult your vet. Based on the weight and condition of your pet, they may have some insight and can recommend a dosage schedule. If not, look for dosing instructions on your CBD product and start on the lower end of that spectrum.

How To Find the Best Pet CBD Products

A Certificate of Analysis (CoA)

Any and all vendors should be upfront with providing you with a third-party certificate of analysis. Find Sunset Lake’s third-party tests here. A certificate of analysis should tell you about the potency of that specific product and tell you what other cannabinoids may be present.

See our more in-depth: How do you read a CoA?

Would you take it?

What’s in the product? Insist on seeing the ingredient list and look for any eyebrow-raising additives. If you wouldn’t take it, is it acceptable CBD for your pet?

Where was the CBD grown?

Don’t shop based on price alone. A lot of CBD, and this includes CBD for pets, is grown in sub-optimal conditions and may contain higher concentrations of heavy metals. Does the company make vague quality assurances, or do they say their products are pesticide-free and openly provide adequate CoAs?

Check Out Sunset Lake’s CBD For Pets

Check out Sunset Lake’s lineup of CBD for pets. We currently carry a 600mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil and pre-dosed, and for our canine friends, our CBD dog treats.

Meet Ramsey – The Official Sunset Lake Pet CBD Tester

See them both here. Both are made with the highest (and simplest) ingredients we could find, and are crafted with the high-quality, pesticide-free CBD hemp that we grow on our own farm in northern Vermont.

Updated 8/11/2021

Disclaimer: This post is purely for informational purposes and should not be considered medical or legal advice.

CBD is quickly gaining traction as a popular treatment for various maladies. In this post, we’re going to be addressing the burning question on everyone’s mind: does CBD show up on a drug test?

We will also talk about:

Different types of CBD
The different ways you might fail a drug test
How long you might expect CBD to stay in your system
And more…

Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

Yes and no.

Yes, using CBD products can show up on a drug test. Specifically, using full-spectrum CBD products which contain trace amounts of THC can show up on your workplace drug test.

And no, CBD in an isolated form, will not show up on a drug test, because that’s simply not what the drug test is looking for.

Let’s take a deeper look at the question.

Why Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test

Your CBD product might show up on a drug test because your product may contain trace amounts of THC.

Products that do are called “full-spectrum” CBD, meaning that they contain all of the cannabinoids produced by the hemp plant. When the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law, the definition of hemp became cannabis containing “a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry-weight basis.”

This small 0.3% allowance of THC in certain full-spectrum CBD products can, in some cases, show up on a drug test.

Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD is the most common form of CBD on the market. That’s because it requires the least amount of processing. Full-spectrum CBD extracts and products contain THC as allowed by the 2018 Farm Bill.

Most CBD oils, all CBD hemp flower, and smokables are full-spectrum CBD products.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum CBD in that it contains other cannabinoids that aren’t CBD inside the product, but broad-spectrum differs because it’s had its THC removed. Creating broad-spectrum CBD requires more processing and specialized equipment which makes this form of CBD more expensive than full-spectrum.

It’s possible to find broad-spectrum CBD oil, and broad-spectrum CBD edibles. You won’t find any broad-spectrum CBD smokables.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is sometimes referred to as “pure CBD.” CBD isolate is usually found in solid crystallized form— think table salt— after it’s been separated from the other cannabinoids present in hemp.

It’s possible to find CBD oils, edibles, topicals, and other non-smokable CBD products made with CBD isolate.

Full-Spectrum CBD Topicals

It is possible to find full-spectrum CBD topicals, like Sunset Lake’s CBD salve, that won’t show up on a drug screening. That’s because it’s very unlikely that the active cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, will make it into your bloodstream.

That’s all to say that you should be able to pass a drug test even if you use full-spectrum CBD topicals.

How Else Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

There are a few other reasons that your CBD product may end up showing up on a drug test.

Cross Contamination

During the manufacturing process, there is the potential for product cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is much more likely to occur in facilities that manufacture both CBD and THC products, including delta-8 THC and other isomers.

Mislabeling

CBD products are not yet controlled via rigorous regulations meaning that while all CBD vendors should be getting their products tested by a neutral third party— a lot of them aren’t.

Mislabeling and misrepresentation are unfortunately common throughout the cannabis industry as a whole. A CBD product labeled as THC-free may still contain THC, and it’s unlikely that the buyer will have any method of recourse.

The best way you can help combat misrepresentation is by asking your CBD vendor for a third-party certificate of analysis.

False Positive

False positive results tend to occur if a person is also taking other drugs like:

Antidepressants
Decongestants
NSAIDs like ibuprofen

How Much THC Will Make Me Fail A Drug Test?

Drug tests work by screening one of THC’s primary metabolites, Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), or a piece of what’s leftover after your body processes THC.

Back in 2017, federal workplace drug testing thresholds were established to address the possibility of trace amounts of THC-COOH triggering a positive test. In other words, passing a drug test doesn’t mean that there isn’t any THC-COOH in your system. It means that the amount of THC-COOH in your system is so low as to not register above the threshold level.

Different testing methods have different thresholds.

Urine Testing

Drug testing more often than not is done via urine test.

In urine testing, the THC-COOH threshold is 50 nanograms per mL. (One nanogram equals one billionth of a gram.)

THC-COOH is generally detectable in urine for approximately 3 to 14 days after use. In heavier cannabis users, THC-COOH may be present in urine for 30 days or longer.

Saliva Testing

Saliva testing is less common than urine testing as there are no established thresholds for THC-COOH in saliva.

That, and THC metabolites are detectable in saliva for around 72 hours— longer in heavier cannabis users.

Hair Follicle Testing

Private industries do utilize hair testing to an extent. The most common threshold used in hair testing is around one picogram THC-COOH per milligram of hair. (A picogram is one trillionth of a gram.)

THC metabolites are detectable in hair for up to 90 days.

How Long Does Full Spectrum CBD Stay In Your System?

Full-spectrum CBD can stay in your body for up to several days after use. This estimation is greatly simplified though as everyone’s metabolism is different.

If you use CBD frequently, in larger doses, and eat fatty foods, expect full-spectrum CBD to stay in your system longer.

Can You Be Denied A Job For Using CBD?

Unless your workplace has a specific rule against using CBD products, then you shouldn’t be denied a job for using CBD. Most cannabis-oriented drug screens are for THC, so assuming you’re using broad-spectrum or CBD isolate products, then you should be in the clear.

How To Find Out if Your CBD Shows Up on a Drug Test?

A good way to figure out if your CBD will show up on a drug test is by looking at your product’s certificate of analysis.

All CBD vendors and retailers are required to have third-party analysis documents available. You can actually see all of Sunset Lake CBD’s certificates of analysis here.

The first thing you’ll want to check is the cannabinoid summary— sometimes called the potency report. It will look like this:

You should see two numbers, one for “Total THC” and another for “Total CBD.” The latter is good to figure out your own CBD dosing schedule, but we’re more focused on the former for the purposes of this piece.

If you’re worried about whether or not your CBD will show up on a drug test, look for products that contain 0.0% “Total THC.”

Will Vaping CBD Show Up In A Drug Test?

It depends on the product. Be sure to look at your product’s certificate of analysis and look for the “total THC” report.

If you’re vaping CBD hemp flower, odds are that the trace amounts of THC will show up on a drug test.

If you’re vaping from a cartridge, it’s possible that your product has had the THC removed. Again, be sure to double-check your certificate of analysis.

Do Edibles Show Up In A Drug Test?

If you’ve made homemade edibles from CBD hemp flower, or THC cannabis, then yes, there’s a very good chance that they will show up on a drug test.

It is common to find CBD edibles that are made with CBD isolate though. Sunset Lake’s CBD Gummies are one such product. Edibles made with CBD isolate will not show up on a drug test.

The Takeaway: Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

If you’re taking full-spectrum CBD frequently or semi-frequently, then yes, your CBD may show up on your drug test.

If you’re taking broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate products. Which you should be able to confirm by looking at a certificate of analysis, then you shouldn’t test positive on a routine drug test.

Updated August 19, 2022