Alcohol Extraction / Ethanol Extraction is a method for extracting phytochemicals from hemp by using alcohol as a solvent. Alcohol extraction can also refer to isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol, both of which are highly toxic and should be avoided. Ethanol extraction uses alcohol fermented from plants (usually grain, cane, or grape), which is the same alcohol that’s in beer and wine.

Broad Spectrum: A hemp or cannabis product that has been processed to remove specific constituents. This commonly refers to hydrocarbon or CO2 extractions that don’t contain the polyphenols, but it also describes hemp oil which has been fractionated to remove the THC.

Cannabinoids are a group of active chemical compounds found primarily in hemp and cannabis that act on cannabinoid receptors in our bodies. Phytocannabinoids are produced within plants and Endocannabinoids are produced within humans and other animals. Both interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) by engaging with our cannabinoid receptors.

CBD / Cannabidiol is one of more than one hundred cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. It is the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp. A non-psychoactive compound, CBD is known for its benefits to both the mind and body through its interaction with our own endocannabinoid system.

Cannabinoid Receptors, located throughout the body, are part of the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are involved in a variety of physiological and cognitive processes, regulating internal stability, or homeostasis.

Certificate of Analysis or COA is the third-party analysis performed on hemp products to determine and confirm potency as well as levels of contaminants and residual solvents. COAs provide transparency and verification of claims.

Concentrates are products made by extracting and concentrating desirable plant compounds while removing excess plant material.

Cultivar refers to a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding. In hemp and cannabis, the term ‘cultivar’ is reflected by a plant’s characteristic aroma, flavor, appearance, pharmacological effects, and other distinct characteristics.

Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that results from heating a cannabinoid to the point of removing a carboxyl group, thus enhancing the cannabinoid’s ability to interact with the body’s receptors. This process turns CBDa into CBD.

Distillation is the action of purifying a liquid by a process of heating, separation, and cooling. A hemp distillate product has been distilled to separate out specific cannabinoids, often to remove all THC molecules in order to produce a THC-free product.

Endocannabinoids are chemicals produced by the body that target cannabinoid receptors.

Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a biochemical communication system in the human body involved in a variety of essential physiological and cognitive processes. It plays a crucial role in regulating our physiology, metabolism, and mood.

Entourage Effect or Ensemble Theory refers to the therapeutic synergy that occurs when the full spectrum of phytochemicals is working together. In herbalism, this is known as Whole Plant Medicine. Each cannabinoid, terpene, and polyphenol has a specific biochemical effect on the body, and studies show they are much more effective when working together simultaneously than if administered separately.

Extract is the end product that results from extracting beneficial constituents from the hemp plant.

FECO / Full Extract Cannabis Oil refers to edible hemp and cannabis oils that are extracted with hydrocarbons or CO2. They are rich in cannabinoids and terpenes but deficient in polyphenols. The term is somewhat confusing because FECOs are actually broad spectrum rather than full spectrum, as they don't contain the polyphenols.

Full Spectrum CBD products are produced in a manner that retains the full array of phytochemicals including the flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. Most products marketed as full spectrum lack the polyphenols and thus are correctly described as broad spectrum.

Hemp is a common and legal name for cannabis which contains less than 0.3% THC. Historically hemp has been used for food, fiber, medicine, fuel, and building materials.

Hemp Oil is the resinous concentrated oil that is extracted from the hemp plant using a chemical or mechanical process. This is not to be confused with Hemp Seed Oil, which is the oil created from pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp Seed Oil contains no CBD.

Phytochemicals are the chemicals produced within plants (phyto- is Latin for plant-derived). Hemp is a phytochemical powerhouse, producing over 500 distinct polyphenols, cannabinoids, and terpenes.

RSO is an acronym for Rick Simpson Oil. It refers to the resinous oil extracted from hemp and cannabis plants through alcohol extraction, and references medical cannabis pioneer Rick Simpson. RSO is unique in that it contains the true full spectrum of phytochemicals, including polyphenol, cannabinoids, and terpenes.

Solvents are substances used to dissolve other substances – for example, we use ethanol to dissolve the phytochemicals in hemp in order to concentrate them in our products.

Terpenes are aromatic oils that give hemp and other plants their distinctive smells and flavors, as well as providing therapeutic effects. The hemp plant produces over 100 different terpenes and each cultivar has a distinct terpene profile.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the second most common cannabinoid found in most hemp products, and is known for its psychoactive effects. The legal definition of a hemp plant, distinct from cannabis, is that it contains less than 0.3% THC. In botany, however, hemp is simply a common name for cannabis.

Whole Plant refers to the process of using the entire plant, including the full array of beneficial phytochemicals produced within.