Hemp seed oil

Hemp seed oil is a culinary and cosmetic oil cold-pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant, containing essential fatty acids but only trace cannabinoids.

The seeds do not produce cannabinoids; those compounds form in the resin glands of the flower and leaves. Hemp seed oil is therefore valued for its nutritional profile, with a favorable ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, and for its use in skin care. It has a nutty flavor, a green color, and a low smoke point that makes it better suited to salad dressings than to frying. It is widely sold in grocery stores and is generally recognized as safe as a food.

Confusion arises because some products labeled with hemp leaves or the word hemp contain only seed oil and no meaningful cannabidiol, while others use hemp seed oil as the carrier for a CBD extract. The distinction is settled by the label: a product containing CBD states the cannabinoid content in milligrams and links to a certificate of analysis, whereas plain hemp seed oil lists no cannabinoid content. Readers should check the ingredient list and the analysis rather than relying on imagery.