Marijuana: THC vs. CBD vs. Kratom: What’s the Difference?

THC and CBD are two chemical compounds found in cannabis, colloquially referred to as marijuana, weed, hash, and mary-jane. These compounds are making headlines for their efficacy in various health-related endeavors. However, there’s a third, all-natural, plant-based compound that’s available on the market in some areas, Kratom. These three compounds are often touted as “all-natural” alternatives to certain medications and medicine groups. However, there are many differences between the three that potential users should be aware of before buying products. The three compounds have different effects, efficacy, and uses. They also have different legality. So, you must know the difference before you start using them.

The research for this article was primarily conducted using medical journals and other reputable sources of medical advice, such as the Mayo Clinic. We avoided taking certain government bodies, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, as reputable sources. These bodies are known to have a strong bias against the substances in question. Thus, we felt it was not appropriate to source these organizations. So we focused on looking at peer-reviewed scientific journals as we felt this information was more reliable.

• Euphoria
• Changes in mood
• Impaired body movement
• Altered senses
• Altered sense of time
• Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
• Impaired memory
• Hallucinations (in high doses)
• Delusions (in high doses)
• Paranoia

• Drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• Reduced Appetite
• Anti-inflammation
• Changes in mood

• More energy (in low doses)
• Better focus (in low doses)
• Pain reduction
• Drowsiness (in high doses)
• Changes in mood

The entire marijuana plant and products made from it, including THC extracts, are illegal in the United States on a federal level and across much of the world. Legality for cannabis and THC on a state level varies from states like Idaho, where the plant is completely illegal, to states like Colorado, where the plant is completely legal. When crossing state lines, leaving the U.S., or utilizing postal services, federal law applies and the federal government can prosecute you for possession of marijuana even if it's legal in your state. The majority of U.S. states have a medical program for marijuana users with prescriptions. However, some states lack the infrastructure necessary to distribute products. In some states, THC content must be limited for a product to be legal.

Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota are the only U.S. states that ban the use of marijuana-derived CBD. In all other states, CBD products are legal to some degree. CBD can be derived from hemp, a cannabis sativa plant with exceptionally low THC content. Hemp-derived CBD is legal in 47 states and the District of Columbia, with various in-state restrictions on the types of products that can be sold.

The legality of Kratom varies by state. In 2016, the DEA attempted to illegalize mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, two of the chemical compounds found in Kratom by placing these chemicals in the Schedule I category of drugs. This move would have effectively criminalized all Kratom use and possession, turning it into a felony. However, the DEA received several complaints from advocacy groups and Congress and withdrew the motion. It is listed as a "Drug and Chemical of Concern" under the DEA.

Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin have state laws that ban the sale of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. However, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin legislators have introduced bills to permit the sale of Kratom. Tennessee enacted a ban on kratom. However, the state's attorney general opined that the law only banned the sale of synthetic kratom-like products, and not the kratom plant itself.

• Managing chemotherapy side effects
• Managing multiple sclerosis symptoms
• Reducing chronic pain
• Improving sleep quality
• Reducing nausea and vomiting
• Increasing appetite
• Reducing inflammation
• Managing inflammatory bowel disease

• Managing epilepsy
• Improving sleep quality
• Reducing inflammation
• Managing mood disorders
• Reducing anxiety

• Managing opioid withdrawal
• Reducing chronic pain
• Providing energy (in small doses)
• Improving focus (in small doses)
• Improving sleep quality (in high doses)

You should always be careful when purchasing substances from street dealers. Even the most rigorous dealer can end up with a bad product that's laced or contaminated with something more insidious.

When buying THC and CBD products from a dispensary, these are generally safe to consume as long as you follow the instructions provided by medical literature and common sense. It is highly unlikely for a person to die from consuming marijuana. The lethal dose of THC is estimated to be over 10,000 milligrams. Even consuming high-dose edibles, you're unlikely to go above 1,000 milligrams per single item. The highest dose we were able to find in commercially-produced edibles was 1,000 milligrams. To date, no one has ever been recorded dying from a THC overdose because it is that hard to reach the lethal dose. However, there are some risks when using THC.

Firstly, THC is a psychoactive drug, meaning it gets you high. Thus, there is a risk of dependence on the drug and stopping usage after a long period of use can result in mild withdrawal symptoms. Unlike drugs, such as opioids, these withdrawal symptoms are annoying more than they are dangerous. You won't die from marijuana withdrawal, but you will be miserable for up to a month. So, keep that in mind when choosing to use THC. THC can also cause unpleasant and frightening psychoactive effects, such as hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions. These typically dissipate after the high wears off, but are still unsettling for many new users. In patients with psychotic disorders, THC use can worsen the symptoms of psychosis.

In studies, humans generally tolerated up to 1,500 milligrams of CBD per day well, which almost double the amount of ibuprofen you can take per day. Comparatively, most CBD products have significantly lower doses than that. The highest dose we were able to find was 100 milligrams per item. CBD products also typically contain a small amount of THC. The amount of THC present in CBD products is typically less than 1% of the total volume. However, THC and CBD have what we call an "entourage effect" where taking both increases the effectiveness. Thus, you may find that some CBD products have a nominal amount of THC to activate this entourage effect. There will not be enough THC to cause a psychoactive reaction in a healthy, adult human. So, you will not get high from these products.

Kratom has a few risks. Firstly, it is an addictive substance. It acts on the same receptors in the brain as opioids. Thus, it's popular for managing withdrawal symptoms in opioid recoverers. Secondly, there's no regulatory body overseeing Kratom product production. Some states have adopted regulatory procedures for Kratom products. However, there is also a risk of contamination by another drug or by a pathogen. Additionally, some Kratom products have tested positive for salmonella and other infectious diseases.