Before jumping right in, we must go back to when we began our quest to answer a different version of this same question 6 years ago…how to make an instant cannabinoid concentrate.

It's 2016 and the California cannabis market was still in what we call the “early days.” At the time, the brains behind product development at Kush Queen were focused on solving two seemingly impossible problems… trying to make a great cannabis beverage and developing a topical that could provide serious relief. 

Back then cannabis extract mostly came in oil form and we all know that oil does not mix with liquids. Oil can’t penetrate your skin due to particle size or get mixed into beverages due to density reasons. Not to mention with the use of cannabis oil, the effects can take up to an hour to feel.

Our very own Chief Visionary Officer, Michael Sawyer, wan't satisfied with using oil for these types of products, so he got to work in the lab. He spent countless hours combing through the known science and technology available. It was possible to turn oil into water with several different methods, now we just had to apply the concept to cannabis.

Turning Oil Into Water

Then like magic (read as tons of experimenting and hard work), Michael developed the first batch of what we now call Amplifi nanotechnology. This nanotechnology would become the backbone of our customer-loved topical formulas like Water-based Lube, Soaked Transdermal Shower Gel, and Melt Relief CBD Lotion. 

By solving the problems of particle size and density, this technology is what makes our topical products truly transdermal and more bioavailable. 

So back to the original question…what is an instant cannabis concentrate?

An instant cannabis concentrate is really just cannabis concentrate in liquid form. The instant part is where the magic happens. 

As most of us know, “cannabis concentrates are extracted, condensed parts of the cannabis plant that contain the highest concentrations of cannabinoids." Most concentrates make use of extracted oils from cannabis, which are rich in terpenes and cannabinoids. We take cannabis extract in oil form and with science and technology turn the oil into a nano-sized, water-soluble particle using our proprietary formula. This creates a liquid concentrate (water, extract, and natural flavors) that can infuse anything, instantly. 

Got a favorite beverage? Infused it. Have the perfect lotion? Add a few drops. Want to take it straight to the dome? No problem! 

Meet Bôost, Kush Queen’s Instant Cannabinoid Concentrate

The first of its kind, Bôost Liquid THC is a true water compatible, instant onset, flavorless concentrate that allows you to infuse any food, drink, personal care, or beauty product. Limits? There are none.

To recap, our proprietary, patent pending nanotechnology delivers the brains and beauty behind Bôost’s instant onset of effects. Cannabinoids get transformed into a size smaller than you can imagine so your body can absorb and transport the benefits quickly. We are still surprised at the speed!    

The quest to turn oil into water was long and now that it is complete, you can add Bôost to anything. Drop your desired dose into any food or beverage for instant infusion. It’s that simple. Our nano-infused formulas boost bioavailability in every product, especially our Weed Gummies.

Bôost features our first liquid concentrate 8:1 ratio of hemp-derived Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC (Farm Bill Compliant). Micro or macro, this gives you the power to control the intoxicating effects. Each bottle comes with a dosing guide to help you get started. Pair it with some Delta 9 Gummies for more effects. Our nano-technology enhances absorption in every product, including our fast-acting THC Gummies.

Sign Up For Early Access and Be One of The Firsts

We do not want you to miss out on the first batch of our revolutionary new formula! Get access to Bôost before it launches later this week; sign up here.

Figuring out the types of CBD on the market doesn't have to feel like decoding a foreign language. This guide breaks down what full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate actually mean, how they differ in ingredients and THC content, and what to look for when you're staring down a label or a lab report. By the end, you'll have a clear framework for choosing the format that makes sense for your life.

What Are the Different Types of CBD, and Why Do They Matter?

Walk into any wellness shop or scroll through a CBD brand's site, and you'll notice pretty quickly that not all products are labeled the same way. Some say "full-spectrum," others say "broad-spectrum," and some just say "isolate." If you've ever stared at those terms wondering what they actually mean, you're in good company.

When most people search for the types of CBD available, they're really asking about three core formulations: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Each one tells you what's inside the product beyond CBD itself, and that distinction matters more than it might seem at first glance.

Here's the short version: full-spectrum products contain CBD plus other naturally occurring hemp compounds, including a small amount of THC. Broad-spectrum keeps most of those extras but removes the THC. Isolate is pure CBD, nothing else. Same plant, three very different outcomes.

So why does it matter which one you choose? Because the formulation shapes what you're actually putting into your body, how the product fits into your wellness routine, and whether it makes sense for your specific situation, especially if you're THC-sensitive or have drug testing to think about.

Understanding the difference gives you a real foundation for reading labels and making a choice you feel good about. Our guide to the different types of CBD walks through each formulation in plain language if you want the full picture.

Full-Spectrum CBD: What’s in the Bottle?

Full-spectrum CBD is exactly what it sounds like: hemp extract that keeps the full plant profile intact. CBD, minor cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and a trace amount of THC all make it into the final product, in roughly the proportions found in the original plant. Of all the main types of CBD, it's the least processed format you'll find on shelves.

Here's what a full-spectrum product typically contains:

• CBD (the primary cannabinoid)
• Minor cannabinoids like CBG and CBN
• Terpenes and flavonoids
• Trace THC (0.3% or less, per federal law)

When you're reading a label or COA, the basics to look for are third-party testing, batch-specific results, and a confirmed THC level within legal limits. If a brand isn't showing you that documentation upfront, take note.

A quick note on the entourage effect: The idea that cannabinoids and terpenes work better together is a compelling hypothesis, but it hasn't been conclusively proven by clinical research yet. Promising, not settled.

For context, Cannabis sativa contains 11 general types of natural cannabinoids, which gives you a sense of just how much is traveling alongside CBD in a full-spectrum extract.

This format tends to appeal to adults who are comfortable with trace THC and prefer a whole-plant profile with minimal processing. If that sounds like your speed, full-spectrum CBD chews are a simple, low-effort way to try it out.

Rather skip the THC altogether? Broad-spectrum CBD might be the better fit, and that's up next.

Broad-Spectrum CBD: When You Want the Extras Without THC

Broad-spectrum CBD sits right in the middle of the types of CBD you'll encounter, and for a lot of people, that's exactly the sweet spot. It holds onto the fuller range of cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant, but goes through an extra processing step to bring THC down to non-detectable levels. You get more of the plant, minus the THC.

There are a few reasons someone might gravitate here:

• They want to avoid THC entirely, whether that's a personal preference or just peace of mind
• They have drug testing concerns and don't want any detectable THC in their routine
• They still want multiple cannabinoids working together, rather than CBD flying solo
• They like a more complete plant profile without committing to a full-spectrum product

One thing worth knowing before you buy: "THC-free" and "broad-spectrum" aren't standardized terms. Brands can put a lot of things on a front label, and those claims aren't uniformly regulated. The only reliable way to confirm THC has actually been removed is to check the product's third-party Certificate of Analysis, or COA. If a brand won't share one, that tells you everything you need to know.

The cannabinoids that broad-spectrum products preserve, things like CBN and CBG, may still contribute to what's often called the entourage effect. If you're curious about what those compounds actually do and how they compare to CBD, our minor cannabinoids guide is worth a look.

CBD Isolate: The Most Straightforward Option

Of all the types of CBD, isolate is the most stripped-down version you'll find. During processing, everything else from the hemp plant gets removed: other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and any trace of THC. What remains is pure CBD, and only CBD.

Here's what makes it stand out:

• Neutral taste and no noticeable smell, so it blends easily into food, drinks, or skincare
• Powdery or crystalline texture in raw form, though most products dissolve it into a carrier oil or base
• 0% THC, which any reputable certificate of analysis will confirm
• Short, clean ingredient lists that are genuinely easy to read
• A good fit for people sensitive to other hemp compounds, since there's nothing else along for the ride

Isolate is a popular choice for first-time CBD users, anyone navigating drug testing, or people who'd rather skip the earthy, grassy flavor that tends to come with full-spectrum or broad-spectrum options.

Starting simple is a completely valid approach. If that sounds like you, our Bare CBD Tincture is a clean, no-fuss place to start.

One honest trade-off: isolate won't deliver the entourage effect you'd get from the other formats. But its purity and predictability make it one of the most approachable options out there for anyone who wants CBD, full stop.

How to Read a CBD Label and Lab Report Without Getting Lost

Once you know the differences between the types of CBD, the next step is spotting them on an actual label. Here's what to look for.

Start with the ingredient list. A full-spectrum product will list hemp extract and may reference naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and trace THC. Broad-spectrum looks similar but without detectable THC. An isolate will simply list CBD or cannabidiol, usually as a powder or crystalline extract. If the ingredient list is vague or missing altogether, treat that as a red flag.

Look up the certificate of analysis (COA). Any reputable brand will have third-party lab results available, and this document is where the real story lives. It breaks down exactly which cannabinoids are present and at what levels. For broad-spectrum CBD, THC should appear as "ND" (non-detected). For full-spectrum, it should sit at or below 0.3%. For isolate, you'll see CBD and very little else. If you want to understand what those numbers actually represent, learning how CBD products are made is a genuinely useful next step.

Pay attention to serving size. Check how many milligrams of CBD are in each serving, not just the total bottle amount. It's a small detail that makes a big difference when you're comparing products.

Drug testing on your radar? Broad-spectrum and isolate are typically the smarter picks since neither contains detectable THC. That said, no product can guarantee a specific result, so read that COA carefully and don't hesitate to ask questions before you buy.

It’s incredible to see the world changing. I remember a time when even CBD could not be sold online and now it’s going nationwide. With so much excitement in the air, it seems some truth is getting lost in shuffle. Ultimately, CBD or cannabidiol is just a molecule. Our endocannabinoid system interacts with this molecule which triggers effects inside the body. While CBD is non-psychoactive, there are still effects experienced.  CBD is currently unregulated, thus consumers are dependent on businesses to self-regulate. This is why it’s important to us at Kush Queen to have as much transparency as possible. Recently, we have begun to see our products on lists’s with other products that are labeled CBD, but do not actually contain CBD. It’s important to set the record straight.

Hemp CBD vs. Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp CBD is not the same as hemp seed oil. Hemp CBD is extracted from a fully grown cannabis plant using either solvents or a solventless method, while hemp seed oil is pressed from seeds. Furthermore, hemp seed oil contains absolutely no CBD.

Recently we have begun to see our products next to many different hemp products. Some products are ‘cannabis-inspired’ (contain no hemp seed or CBD oil) , some are hemp seed oil, and some contain CBD. As we usher in a new era and industry, it is important to educate and have transparency. For years, we worked behind the scenes at cannabis companies and at Kush Queen we make cannabis products that are in the most regulated cannabis system in the world. Currently, our cannabis products must test within a 10% margin of error for potency, while the FDA allows a lax 20%. In addition to strict potency guidelines, all of our products are tested at the highest sensitivity for residual solvents, over 60 pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, mycotoxins and foreign materials. Every batch is fully present at the time of testing and samples are randomly selected. Until CBD is regulated, we follow this same standard at our Hemp CBD facility. This is how we make products at Kush Queen and it’s important for our customers to know. We do this because we believe in safe products and the effectiveness of the plant.

We believe that putting hemp seed oil products next to Hemp CBD causes confusion, or worse, that a company may be trying to mislead customers. Ultimately, a lab test will show how much CBD is present in a product. Accurate dosing is important with CBD because it is an active ingredient. That is why every Kush Queen product has the exact dosing on the front of every package. CBD is not a buzz word, for many, it is the only medicine that can help. We take our products seriously, and we hope that you take CBD seriously. Ask questions, demand transparency and clarity. As a consumer, you have a right to know that the products you are putting in or on your body are safe and effective.

Below are lab tests which show the differences between Hemp seed oil and CBD products. You can see the products containing hemp seed oil show no CBD detected. The third lab reported shows our Immunity bath bomb and detects 104mg of CBD.

 

While the industry booms, consumers will have more options than ever.  It’s our hope that we will be able to arm them with the knowledge they need to choose the CBD beauty and wellness products right for them, whether it’s bath bombs, tinctures, or weed gummies.