Last reviewed October 18, 2026
The difference between THC and CBD is that THC is intoxicating and CBD is not. Both are cannabinoids, compounds made by the cannabis plant, and both act on the body’s endocannabinoid system. THC is what produces the high. CBD doesn’t, and a product can contain either one, or both in a set ratio.
| THC | CBD | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol | Cannabidiol |
| Intoxicating? | Yes | No |
| Raw form in the plant | THCA, which turns into THC when heated | CBDA, which turns into CBD when heated |
| Where it’s highest | Most strains sold for their high | Hemp and CBD-dominant strains |
| On a label | mg or % THC | mg or % CBD |
| Status in Canada | Regulated under the Cannabis Act | Also regulated under the Cannabis Act |
What CBD means
CBD stands for cannabidiol. “Isolate” means pure CBD with the other plant compounds removed. “Full spectrum” means CBD along with the plant’s other cannabinoids and terpenes, which can include some THC. “Broad spectrum” is in between: several compounds, with the THC removed.
Reading a ratio
Products with both list a ratio of CBD to THC. A 3:1 CBD:THC product has three times as much CBD as THC. A 1:1 product has equal amounts. The THC number is still what matters most for how intoxicating it is, so read the mg of each, not just the ratio.
Does CBD cancel out THC?
Not reliably. Some research has looked at whether CBD changes how THC feels, and the results are mixed. Don’t count on CBD to undo a strong THC dose.
Will CBD show up on a drug test?
Tests look for THC, not CBD. But full-spectrum CBD products can contain small amounts of THC, so if testing matters to you, choose isolate and check the label.
Common questions
Is CBD weed?
CBD comes from cannabis, but on its own it doesn’t get you high. “Weed” usually means THC-rich cannabis.
Can CBD get you high?
Pure CBD doesn’t. Full-spectrum CBD products can contain some THC, so check the label.
Which is stronger, THC or CBD?
They aren’t stronger or weaker versions of each other; they do different things. Only THC is intoxicating.
Can you take THC and CBD together?
Yes. Many products combine them in a set ratio, such as 1:1 or 3:1.
