Medicinal cannabis products are becoming more accepted in many countries, and the debate around their use continues to gain traction in Aotearoa. As these products grow in popularity around the world, consumers are asking questions about the properties of the products that are being prescribed. 

The best known compounds found in cannabis are THC and CBD, and they each have their own therapeutic uses and doses: 

CBD vs TBC: chemical makeup

Tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly abbreviated to THC, and cannabidiol, or CBD, are both natural compounds found in cannabis. 

They both interact with your body’s endocannabinoid (or ECS) system, which is a system in your body that plays a role in regulating functions like mood, appetite, sleep and memory. Your ECS system helps your body maintain homeostasis, which is your body’s ability to keep its internal processes stable and balanced. 

THC and CBD both bind to receptors in your endocannabinoid system. Your body also makes its own endocannabinoids, which have a similar chemical structure to THC and CBD. 

CBD vs THC: medical benefits 

While they have similar chemical structures and are both found in cannabis, CBD and THC have very different effects on the body.

THC is the compound that causes the ‘high’ associated with cannabis use, by binding to receptors in your brain that control pain, mood and other feelings. CBD doesn’t typically have psychoactive effects, so people who take CBD products don’t get high off them. They’re used to treat conditions like pain, inflammation, nausea, depression and anxiety. 

Medicinal CBD products will generally have negligible amounts of THC in them, so you won’t feel high when taking them. 

CBD vs THC: legality in Aotearoa

In December 2018, the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill came into force, allowing the country to start developing a medicinal cannabis industry. While medicinal cannabis is now available on prescription from some registered medical practitioners, it is not yet widely prescribed. 

Medicinal cannabis products can come in the form of oils/drops, lozenges, sprays or capsules. In Aotearoa, there are medicinal cannabis oils available that contain both CBD and THC, or both in different ratios. What kind of medicinal cannabis product is right for each patient will depend on their medical conditions and advice from their medical practitioner.