As CBD oil gets more into the household product category, combined with several other types of hemp oils and cannabis oils that are popping up on the market, it can be a little hard to make sense of what to look for.

The bottom line? CBD oil is not cannabis oil. Both are made from the plant cannabis sativa; however, they are made differently with different effects. They are also legislated differently. While it’s legal to use CBD oil in the UK, as it contains no THC, cannabis oil isn't. So, if you want to improve your general well-being and relax naturally, it is probably the UK CBD oil you want.

What is Prescribed Cannabis Oil?

Tetrahydrocannabinol oil, also known as THC oil or cannabis oil, is a distillate product with high contents of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. It is mixed with carrier oil, most commonly MCT oil, to make a THC oil product. 

Prescribed cannabis oil is the utilisation of prepared cannabis Sativa for the sole purpose of medicine. It has been used for centuries to cure diseases and relieve symptoms. Records of its uses are even found in Ancient Egypt and China.

Three Major Classes of Prescribed Cannabis Oil

Full-spectrum: THC oil is based on a source plant that retains all its natural compounds. These may include other cannabinoids and terpenes. It’s considered the most "whole-plant" option because it retains the full chemical profile, which may add to its potential therapeutic benefit.

Broad-spectrum: Broad-spectrum THC oil is very close to full-spectrum, but there’s an additional stage in the extraction process that has removed most of the THC. It means you are still getting a cross-section of other cannabinoids and terpenes but without the risk of psychotropic effects. 

Isolate: THC isolate oil is an ultra-refined form of the cannabinoid. It goes through a process that eliminates the remaining compounds, leaving pure THC and carrier oil.

Is Cannabis Oil Legal in the UK?

In the UK, cannabis is a Class B drug. It is illegal to sell, take, or have. So that, of course, means that cannabis oil is illegal in the UK. All the products containing it are illegal there, except if you have a cannabis oil prescription.

This is in contrast to the state of CBD now, as it’s completely legal in the UK, meaning that UK CBD oil containing less than 0.2% THC is legalised within the UK.

What Do You Use Cannabis Oils For?

Cannabis oil is most often used for:

• Glaucoma

• Epilepsy

• Anxiety, depression, and PTSD

• Chronic pain

• Insomnia and other sleep disorders

• Malaise and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy

• Weight loss and decreased appetite due to severe conditions such as HIV/AIDS 

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease

• Muscle Spasms and Multiple Sclerosis

• Other neurodegenerative conditions

What is CBD?

The two main compounds that are active in the Sativa plant are THC and CBD (cannabidiol). Both of these compounds belong to a group of more than 140 substances known as phytocannabinoids that are considered to produce a vast spectrum of health effects through their interaction with receptors in the body.

But unlike THC, CBD doesn't cause intoxication, so it doesn't cause a high. CBD occurs in both hemp and marijuana varieties of cannabis, but most products derived from these crops are from hemp.

How Could CBD Potentially Benefit You?

CBD oil is quite safe, hence totally legal in the UK. Given its high demand, CBD oil can be found in most major health food stores and supermarkets. But everybody's different, so if you're trying CBD oil for the first time, maybe you should get your GP's opinion before taking the plunge. Much like THC and marijuana, the number of potential health benefits with CBD is lengthy:

• Chronic pain

• Sleep disorders

• Epilepsy, particularly rare treatment-resistant types

• Depression and anxiety disorders 

• Autism, ADHD, and psychosis 

• Chronic inflammation

• Alzheimer's disease 

• Other neurodegenerative conditions

• Opioid and drug addiction

• Diabetic complications 

• Skin conditions

• Cardiovascular diseases

• Digestive conditions 

Some of these uses are supported by good clinical evidence, while studies in animals or cell cultures support others. Further research on humans is needed.

Prescribed Cannabis Oil vs. CBD: Important Differences

Prescribed cannabis oil and CBD differ in many aspects, including impacts, usage, and modes of administering, among other features.

The most important difference is that cannabis oil is allowed only on prescription, whereas CBD products can be bought online and over-the-counter at pharmacies.

While CBD products are legally allowed to contain up to 0.2% THC, this isn’t enough to cause most people to feel intoxicated. That's why people who seek to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without the high find it a good alternative.

Consumption Methods 

Medical marijuana and CBD are both taken orally. Some common ways of taking medical marijuana include oil, smoked (dried flowers), and edibles, while CBD can be consumed in the form of gummies, capsules, vape products, and oil.

How Much CBD Should Be Taken Daily as an Acceptable Dose?

According to the UK Food Standards Agency, a healthy adult could safely consume 10 mg of CBD daily with an average body weight of 70 kg. One size does not fit all; each individual is different. Some will do fine with an "average" dose of CBD, but maybe others just need a fraction of that dose.

What is the Right Choice for You?

Both prescribed cannabis oil and CBD oil can be used to alleviate symptoms for many conditions. The only way to be sure you're getting the right treatment is to see a doctor. Your doctor will then ask you some questions to understand your health condition, medical history, and needs, then recommend the proper product and write you a prescription for cannabis oil if needed.