Full spectrum

Full spectrum is a commercial label for a hemp extract that retains the plant's wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, including its natural THC.

A full-spectrum extract is processed as little as possible after extraction, so it keeps CBD alongside minor cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC, and CBN, plus the terpene fraction. Because it is not stripped of THC, a full-spectrum hemp product can legally contain up to 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, and that THC may be detectable in the body. This is the main practical difference from broad-spectrum extracts, which are processed to 0.0% THC, and from isolates.

No federal standard defines the term, so composition varies by manufacturer and batch and should be confirmed on the certificate of analysis. The idea that the plant's compounds work better together, known as the entourage effect, is the usual reason full spectrum is chosen, but it remains a hypothesis with limited clinical support. Because it contains THC, a full-spectrum product is something a pet owner should discuss with a veterinarian, since THC is a recognized concern for animals.