What Does Full-Spectrum Cannabis Mean?
As the cannabis industry continues to rapidly evolve, one term is increasingly capturing attention: full-spectrum cannabis. While major cannabinoids, otherwise famously called THC and CBD, have long been known and studied, there is a growing understanding plants may have even more to offer and full spectrum is about harnessing that potential. However, amidst the attention, there may be some confusion about what equates a product as full spectrum at BC Cannabis Stores.
What is full-spectrum cannabis?
We try to keep things simple. Full-spectrum cannabis equals a true-to-flower experience, as it resembles the source cultivar as closely as possible.
Full-spectrum extracts contain the full phytochemical profile of the original cannabis plant in terms of cannabinoids (THC/CBD), terpenes (aroma compounds), and flavonoids.
What is the difference?
At our stores, products that are not considered full spectrum are when the inputs do not represent the source plant’s profile. For example, a distillate extract is not classed as full spectrum because most of the plant’s compounds are lost during the extensive refinement process to extract THC, therefore not representing the plant’s profile.
Full-spectrum cannabis products showcase the natural flavours and cannabinoids of the inputted flower material.
What products categories are full spectrum?
Flower, as it always has its natural cannabinoids and terpenes preserved and unaltered.
Concentrates and extracts that focus on preserving the compounds of the original cultivar, with no additives. Look for hash, resins, and rosins, while keeping in mind that “live” resins and rosins can have more terpenes intact due to the plant being flash frozen right after harvest.
Vapes can be trickier to distinguish, as some licensed producers may be naming them full spectrum, but have added botanical terpenes, flavouring agents, and/or are blended with distillate. Additionally, products labelled as a “blend” typically contain a mixture of input types and are not considered full spectrum at BC Cannabis Stores.
Some oils and capsules. Most full-spectrum oils and capsules are made with a carrier oil and are still considered full spectrum at BC Cannabis Stores, so long as they do not include added botanical terpenes, flavourings, distillate, etc. However, isolates, like CBD-only oils, are not as THC and other cannabinoids have been removed in creation.
What does full spectrum blend mean?
Full-spectrum blend products are composed primarily of a full-spectrum extract with at least one other non-full-spectrum ingredient, such as distillate or botanical terpenes. An example of a full spectrum blend product would be a vape cartridge that is composed of cured resin but also includes botanical terpenes, like Nugz Lemon Linx Cured Resin Cartridge. These groups of products are highlighted along with regular full spectrum products in BC Cannabis Stores because they can often provide an experience similar to regular full spectrum products.
To help make it easier to find full spectrum and full spectrum blend products, look out for our easy-to-spot tags in-store or online.
Explore our collection online here.
