CBD vs THC — What's the Difference?
A plain-English introduction to two terms medicinal cannabis patients hear often.
Medicinal cannabis patients hear the terms CBD and THC constantly, but the terms are often used loosely and rarely explained.
Both are components found in cannabis. Prescribed products contain different combinations of them, which is one reason two patients can be prescribed quite different medicines for quite different reasons.
CBD
CBD is commonly prescribed in Australia. Products containing CBD are prescribed for a range of therapeutic purposes, and some products contain CBD alone. How these products are regulated and supplied is a matter for the Therapeutic Goods Administration and your prescriber.
Whether a CBD product is appropriate for you is a decision for your prescribing healthcare professional, based on your circumstances.
THC
THC is another component found in some medicinal cannabis products. Products vary in how much THC they contain, and some contain none.
Different patients are prescribed different products depending on their healthcare professional's assessment. Your prescription reflects that assessment rather than a general rule.
THC is also the component that Australian roadside drug testing programmes generally look for. What that means legally depends on the state or territory you are driving in, so official jurisdiction sources are the place to check.
Why understanding your product matters
Whatever you are prescribed, it helps to know the basics of your own treatment:
- what product you're prescribed
- what dose you're taking
- when you take it
Keeping accurate records of these three things supports a clearer understanding of your own treatment, and makes it easier to answer questions from your healthcare professional accurately.
How DriveClear helps
DriveClear lets you record the product, the dose and the intake time for each intake, building an accurate treatment history on your device.
- CBD and THC are different components found in cannabis products.
- Prescribed products contain different combinations, and some contain only CBD.
- Your prescription reflects your healthcare professional's assessment of your circumstances.
- Knowing your product, dose and timing supports better understanding of your treatment.
- Questions about which product suits you belong with your prescriber.
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