What Does "Full Spectrum" Mean?

“Full spectrum” is a buzz-phrase these days in cannabis, but what does it actually mean? If you ask four people, you might get four different responses. The truth is that the meaning of full-spectrum has changed over the years, and opinions about it have, too. So let’s dive into what types of extracts there are, and you can decide for yourself what full spectrum means to you.

Isolates

Isolates, as the name indicates, are a single isolated cannabinoid that is refined and purified to the point of crystallization or powder at 99+% potency. CBD isolate is a common ingredient in most hemp products, as well as some cannabis products. If you see a product that contains zero THC, it’s probably from an isolated CBD extract. Isolates are the one type of extract that can certainly be classified as not full spectrum; don’t contain any other cannabinoids. For this reason, the plant matter and extraction method are irrelevant to the outcome or quality of the isolate. Current peer-reviewed studies point to isolates being less effective and less desirable for treating symptoms and ailments than their multi-cannabinoid extract counterparts. (See the bibliography for more information on the efficacy of isolates vs. other extracts.)

Raw Extract

If there is an opposite to isolates, it is raw extract. Raw extract is an otherwise unrefined first extraction of cannabis, and ranges in potency between 40-65% cannabinoids. This can be done in a multitude of ways. Chemical extractions include ethanol, butane/hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide. Mechanical extractions include ice water hash and rosin press methods. Each of these methods result in unique combinations of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant materials in the extract. In raw extracts, the plant matter as well as the extraction method will dictate the composition and quality of the raw extract. With all of these methods, a full spectrum of cannabinoids will be present, including THC and CBD, but also other potential cannabinoids such as CBC, CBN, and CBG. Terpenes will mostly be captured by all the extraction methods above, though the composition of the different terpenes that are maintained will also differ based on the method. For example, the rosin press method uses heat and will typically lose the smaller and more volatile terpenes that have lower boiling points. Each method is very unique in its end product, and the effect for the end user will likely be different as well.

Distillates

Distillates are a more refined extract than raw extracts, but not as refined as isolates. Distillates begin in the same way as raw extract, with either a chemical or mechanical extraction, but are then further refined until nearly everything is removed except for the cannabinoids themselves. Distillate potency is therefore generally 70-98% cannabinoids. Distillate quality is more or less independent of the extraction method, and is dictated more by the plant material used and the quality of the distillation. Distillates contain the full spectrum of cannabinoids that raw extracts do, including THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, etc. but do not contain terpenes, lipids, chlorophyll, or other non-cannabinoid matter. That is not to say that every distillate is the same in terms of the cannabinoids present, as that ratio is entirely dictated by the plant matter going into the product. 

Summary

As you can see, there are a wide variety of end products even among these three categories, and while isolates are the only category that clearly cannot be classified as full-spectrum, the line has been drawn all over the map when it comes to all the other end products listed. What’s more important than how to define the term, however, is what it means to you, the consumer. 

After a thorough review of the research, we were unable to find any peer-reviewed studies that hone in on the non-cannabinoid elements such as terpenes to determine what, if any, effect they have. However, we were able to identify significant peer-reviewed research that indicated that a full spectrum of cannabinoids, as found in Proof products, as well as raw products, are more beneficial than isolate-based products. But any supposed difference between distillate based products and raw-based products is not supported by evidence. In other words, science tells us that benefits are greater in products that contain a full spectrum of cannabinoids, but any effects of terpenes, waxes, chlorophylls, or other compounds are not clear. 

That doesn’t mean that people don’t have preferences. In cannabis, the tolerance for and effect of a certain cannabinoid or a strain can vary widely. People also tend to have very different  reactions to methods of consumption, such as smoking vs. eating vs. sublingual/transdermal consumption. To predict how someone might react to one type of extract is difficult, and to venture an educated guess is impossible with the research at hand. Our suggestion is to do some safe experimentation at doses that are comfortable for you, find out what kind of cannabis you’re consuming and how, and experiment to find what type of extract and consumption method works best for you. It will not be the same for everyone! 

At Proof, we respect and value the huge range of products now available to the California cannabis consumer, and we applaud all producers who are innovating to ensure you have great choices on the shelf. 

Want more information? Click this link for a literature review of the most current and relevant studies, curated and summarized by Proof.

Bibliography

Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., & Hanuš, L. O. (2015). Overcoming the Bell-Shaped Dose-Response of Cannabidiol by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in Cannabidiol. Pharmacology &Amp; Pharmacy, 06(02), 75–85. doi: 10.4236/pp.2015.62010

Pamplona, F. A., Silva, L. R. D., & Coan, A. C. (2018). Potential Clinical Benefits of CBD-Rich Cannabis Extracts Over Purified CBD in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy: Observational Data Meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology, 9, 759. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00759

Boggs, Douglas L, et al. “Clinical and Preclinical Evidence for Functional Interactions of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol.” Neuropsychopharmacology, vol. 43, no. 1, 2017, pp. 142–154., doi:10.1038/npp.2017.209.

McPartland, John & Russo, Ethan. (2001). Cannabis and cannabis extracts: Greater than the sum of their parts?. J Cannabis Therapeutics. 1. 103-132. 10.1300/J175v01n03_08. 

Russo, Ethan B. “Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpenoid Entourage Effects.” British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 163, no. 7, 2011, pp. 1344–1364., doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x.

Turner, Sarah E., et al. “Molecular Pharmacology of Phytocannabinoids.” Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products Phytocannabinoids, 2017, pp. 61–101.