Organic CBD Oil vs. Non-Organic CBD Oil | Why Organic Matters

Written By: Emily Spring

With so many new products available in today’s rapidly-growing CBD and hemp market, it’s not surprising that many consumers are finding product labels confusing. Arguably, one of the greatest sources of confusion is the simple word “organic,” especially as it relates to CBD oil.

Is “organic” simply a marketing buzzword, or does it represent an actual benefit to CBD oil and its effectiveness? What exactly does “organic” mean? And are organic products better than their non-organic counterparts?

To answer these questions, here’s an overview of organic CBD. Understand what it is, how it processed and why it's considered a superior choice.

What is Organic Hemp?

To define “organic CBD,” we need to go all the way back to the origins of CBD — hemp. The hemp plant contains hundreds of compounds. The primary compound is “cannabidiol," or CBD. After it's extracted, CBD is processed into a wide array of health products, the most popular is organic CBD oil (organic hemp oil).

We’ve identified what CBD is — but how does the term “organic” relate to CBD?

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the term “organic” refers to any item that is grown or produced without the use of genetically modified organisms, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge or ionizing radiation. The term “USDA certified organic” means that a government-approved certifier has inspected the growing and processing conditions to ensure they meet official standards.

To this end, “organically-grown hemp” refers to hemp that has been grown under these stringent conditions. Therefore, “organic CBD oil” (or organic hemp oil) is CBD oil that’s organic on two levels — it’s extracted from organically-grown hemp and then it’s processed with no synthetic chemical additives.

Interestingly, more and more farmers across the US are recognizing the value of producing organically-grown hemp, with some experts claiming that organic hemp farming promises to be something of an upcoming “gold rush” for America’s produce growers.

In addition, many of today’s most conscientious growers are now participating in “regenerative organic” practices — organic farming methods that emphasize soil health and maintenance, while conserving soils and pastures so that the land will continue to be sustainable for generations to come.

Why Choose Organic CBD?

Is organic CBD oil better? The best way to decide this is to look at the facts. Thanks to pristine growing conditions, organic hemp is “cleaner” because it’s free from synthetic-chemical pesticides and fertilizers, hasn’t been genetically modified or exposed to chemical toxins. As a result, organic CBD oil is a more-natural product.  

From a nutritional standpoint, chemical pesticides and fertilizers can drain the soil of its natural nutrients. In addition, studies have shown that fruits and vegetables treated by certain pesticides can cause allergic reactions in some people. It’s important to note that there’s still some debate as to whether or not pesticides actually trigger these reactions or whether other forms of food allergies are the cause; but many people are convinced that organically-grown products are a safer alternative.

Likewise, numerous studies over the years have determined that chemical pesticides and fertilizers can also have a devastating effect on the environment, harming both air and water quality, as well as killing wildlife.

If you’re purchasing products infused with other ingredients like Coconut MCT Oil, Beeswax etc, ideally those are certified organic as well. 

Purchasing organic CBD oil assures you ingest products free of synthetic chemicals and that it was cultivated, harvested and processed without exposure to any toxic agents or additives.

Types of Organic CBD

To understand the different types of organic CBD, it’s a good idea to first take a look at exactly what CBD is — and what it does, and doesn’t, contain.

The story of CBD starts with hemp, which is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant. Another variety of this same plant is marijuana — and therein lies all the confusion.

Although hemp and marijuana are both varieties of the cannabis sativa plant, there’s one major difference between the two. Marijuana contains the compound tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This is what causes the psychoactive effect — or the buzz. Hemp, however, contains only 0.3 percent (or less) of THC — an amount so minuscule as to have no effect. This means that hemp-derived CBD products are essentially THC-free, and produce no psychoactive effect whatsoever. 

Here’s a quick overview of popular organic CBD products available on today’s market:

• Organic CBD Isolate: The singular compound, typically 98-99 percent pure, used as-is, added to liquids or fatty products like butter.
• Organic CBD Wax: This concentrate is like a thick balm and can produce almost instant effects. Either CBD isolate or full spectrum.
• Organic CBD Topicals: Includes soaps, lotions, salves/ointments and shampoos enhanced with CBD.
• Organic CBD Edibles: Typically marketed as baked goods or candies.
• Organic CBD Vapes: Pure CBD liquids processed for vaping.
• Organic CBD Pills and Capsules: Early research shows promising nueroprotection, anti-anxiety and pain reducing properties. Often you can buy CBD capsules that have been formulated with other ingredients to boost sleep or cognition.

What is Organic Full Spectrum CBD Oil?

Organic full spectrum hemp CBD oil refers to a pure, organic oil containing all the cannabinoids, vitamins, minerals, proteins and terpenes. Extracting from hemp guarantees it is non-psychoactive. And because it’s full spectrum, it may provide a wider array of benefits. 

The Benefits of Organic CBD Oil

Here are some of the most popular uses for organic CBD oil:

Anxiety/Stress Reduction

CBD is widely believed to help your body manage important chemicals (such as serotonin and anandamide) by reducing stress responses. The result is a feeling of balance, calm and relaxation.

Pain Management

People use CBD salves and tinctures to reduce pain and inflammation because of their purported anti-inflammatory properties. .

Sleep Benefits

CBD is starting to be appreciated for improving sleep — not only by reducing stress and pain, but improving sleep latency and sleep maintenance.

Plus, CBD is non-habit forming – our bodies don’t develop dependence to it, so its effects can’t be diminished with time.

Where Can I Buy Organic CBD Oil?

Depending on your state's legal status, you can purchase organic CBD oil from wholistic pharmacies and wellness shops or medical marijuana dispensaries. Of course there's always the convenience of buying from an online CBD store.

For example, Plant People sells a variety of the highest quality, organic full spectrum CBD oils, salves and other products. These full spectrum hemp extracts are rich in cannabinoids and compounds that may support overall well-being without psychoactive effects. Because of its large selection of products customized for specific uses, Plant People is a one-stop-shop for organic hemp enthusiasts.

Other popular CBD vendors include Beboe (specializing in vape pens), Foria and The Good Patch (they offer CBD patches).

If you’d like more information about online CBD products or vendors in your area, be sure to contact Plant People. They’ll be glad to answer questions about their CBD products and connect you with other vendors in your region.

Have you ever used CBD oils or capsules for relaxation? Let us know in the comments below.

Written by Emily Spring 

Emily Spring is the Director of Marketing at Plant People. A longtime proponent of balanced living, she has enjoyed over 8 years driving growth in the lifestyle, health and wellness sectors with deep experience in functional solutions for optimizing anyone's everyday life.

Reviewed by Minchul An

Minchul An is a Clinical Cannabis Pharmacist and MTM Specialist.