Controlling CBD and THC ratios in Cannabis Oil

Brandon December 7, 2016 Comments Off

Q:

I’m a 69 year old widow with a chronic mouth condition. I’ve been buying CBD oil with a little bit of THC in it and it works better than those with no THC. Is there anyway of limiting the amount of THC in the oil, as I want to have a go at making my own. I’m finding it very difficult to afford the high cost.

A:

It’s fantastic to hear that cannabidiol (CBD) oil is working for your symptoms. It really pleases me to hear these stories.

Both CBD and THC are found in cannabis flowers but the ratio varies depending on the variety or strain. Cannabis breeding programs have inadvertently reduced CBD levels in many strains as breeders have sought to create strains with ever higher THC levels.

Over the last decade or so, CBD has been recognized by the medical cannabis community as having equal and potentially greater medical qualities as THC. Some breeders have begun working to find or create strains with higher CBD levels for cannabis users like yourself. While THC is still present in these higher CBD strains, the CBD levels can be 100 times that of a normal cannabis strain. The ratios of THC to CBD will of course vary depending on the strain and harvest but many have CBD levels higher than that of the THC.

While there is method to separate CBD from THC this is not a simple “Do It Yourself” process and as far as I know, it’s fairly sophisticated and requires equipment most of us can’t afford. Luckily, THC and CBD work synergistically so you might find that having some THC in the oil is actually more desirable the removing it completely.

For making your own CBD oil with a limited amount of THC, your best option is to start with a strain that is already high in CBD. The ratio of THC to CBD in the flower should be the same as the ratio in the oil.

I recommend experimenting with various ratios of THC to CBD so see what works best for you. While high CBD strains can be harder to find, there are growers who specialize in growing CBD strains. For example, East Fork Cultivars in Southern Oregon grows a variety of CBD rich strains. Their OG 78 has a ratio of 6% THC to 16% CBD which might work wonders for your symptoms. If it’s not a good fit keep trying until you find one you like.

Because higher CBD strains are more rare, they can also be more expensive. Some medical cannabis dispensaries have lower prices for patients on limited incomes. You might inquire or see if they have need for any volunteer help in exchange for your medicine. If you don’t have any luck, you can always try growing a few plants of your own. Several clones planted in the late spring might be enough to get you through a year or even two.

While I don’t know the details of your condition or symptoms, smoking cannabis or anything else for that matter could irritate your mouth. If this is a problem, you might have better luck using a high CBD strain to make an edible, tincture or tonic. These will likely have a longer lasting effect which gives you more bang for your buck and also reduces the risk of the smoke bothering your mouth.