IS CBD OIL HALAL?

IS CBD OIL HALAL?

The cannabis plant has brought about a lot of debates concerning its effects. Much research has been conducted on the impact of CBD on the human body. The cannabis plant has various elements linked to health benefits or intoxicating effects. Terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabidiol (CBD) are the useful elements found in the plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the second dominant element after CBD in cannabis. Unlike other elements, THC has intoxicating effects. The presence of THC in the hemp plant has brought out many concerns, including from Islamic believers, on whether it is Halal or not.  

Is CBD Legal?

CBD oil is legal if it does not exceed the 0.03 % legal amount of THC. CBD is not sold on its own but in a carrier oil, mostly vegetable oil or hemp oil. It is also sold in various non-oil formats, such as creams, patches, edibles, powder, sprays, vapes, and oil. CBD oil is commonly taken as oil drops under the tongue but can also come in other forms like absorption drinks, CBD patches, and CBD creams. Consumers claim that it is effective in helping to manage pain, stress, anxiety, and nausea.

Muslims’ Perspective on why CBD Oil is legal?

According to Muslim scholars, CBD oil is halal because it is an organically produced plant extract and does not have any psychoactive effects. Different people assume that since CBD is derived from a cannabis plant, it makes its users experience the “high” effect, which is not the case. CBD oil is non-psychoactive. Therefore, it does not create any intoxication effect or make one feel high. The compound in the cannabis plant creating the high feeling is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. In addition, Muslims believe that as long as CBD oil is 100 % free from THC, its consumption will not cause any intoxication since it is deemed similar to other plant extracts such as lavender. Full-spectrum CBD oil can contain minute traces of THC, but these are considered halal because of the negligible quantities. CBD oil consumers claim that it makes them feel calmer and more relaxed. Here are other reasons why Muslim view CBD oil as halal;

Health Benefits that Make CBD Oil Halal

CBD oil also has a wide range of benefits due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. The benefits of CBD vary and can aid in providing relief from a range of symptoms. Various individuals complaining of chronic pain find CBD useful since it relieves them from the condition and interacts with neurotransmitters and pain receptors in the body.

CBD As a Natural Reliever

 According to Teitelbaum, et al (2019), CBD oil is a natural pain reliever. It has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation around an area and lessening pain. According to the study, CBD is also said to reduce pain after an event or static pain. It can aid in relieving a wide variety of pain symptoms such as joint or arthritis pain, migraine, lung conditions, allergies, and asthma.

CBD As a Mental Health Reliever

Khan, et al. (2020) suggests that CBD has positive effects on mental health. It is believed that when people take CBD with correct prescriptions, their bodies interact effectively with B1 receptors around the brain, improving their health by reducing stress and anxiety. CBD oil is also believed to be halal since it helps those with insomnia, providing a good night’s sleep. As research progresses, it is clear and demonstrably that numerous health benefits are identified, thus encouraging using CBD in our lives.

Extraction Methods Making CBD Oil Halal

The extraction process of CBD oil makes it legal since it undergoes a safe process. There are three main ways to extract CBD from the cannabis plant, namely:

Carbon dioxide Extraction

Carbon dioxide extraction is when CBD Oil is separated from the cannabis plant using Carbon dioxide. It is the most used extraction method for CBD products and can successfully produce highly concentrated CBD. It is also a clean and safe extraction process.

Steam Distillation

This is when manufacturers use steam to separate oil from plant material. It is also commonly used for extracting essential plant oils.

 Lab Tasting

Another key reason CBD is believed to be Halal is that it undergoes third-party lab testing. Nearly all manufacturers assess the purity and potency of their products. First, they assess the contaminant levels to ensure no contaminant has infiltrated into products. In addition, they assess their concentrations for CBD and THC to ensure they are within the limit set by the Food and Drugs Administration. THC levels in full-spectrum CBD must be within 0.3% to minimize the “high” effect. Also, CBD concentrations on the labels have to match the ones in the products. 

Conclusion

It is clear that CBD oil does not contain any narcotic properties and is only used for particular health benefits. Therefore, Islamic law has no reason to claim and believe that CBD Oil is haram.  Lastly, CBD oil is considered halal because it is a natural plant extract void of intoxicating effects unless it contains high levels of THC.  However, users should assess the legality of the products to ensure they are void of nicotine or gelatin.

References

Khan, R., Naveed, S., Mian, N., Fida, A., Raafey, M. A., &Aedma, K. K. (2020). The therapeutic role of Cannabidiol in mental health: a systematic review. Journal of Cannabis Research2(1), 1-21.

Teitelbaum, J. (2019). A hemp oil, CBD, and marijuana primer: powerful pain, insomnia, and anxiety-relieving tools. Altern. Ther. Health Med25, 21-23.

Ieva Kubiliute

Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

Latest from CBD