The web is full of CBD oils sold as “full-spectrum” with sky-high percentages and rock-bottom prices. Learn how to spot the fakes, why they lack the benefits of a true Slow Weed extract and how to avoid wasting money.
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1. What a real full-spectrum oil is
A genuine full-spectrum oil contains all hemp phyto-compounds: major and minor cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and trace THC within legal limits. Only then do you get the true entourage effect— synergy that amplifies each drop’s benefits.
CBD-isolate oils may boast high percentages, but they are less effective: without terpenes and minor cannabinoids absorption drops, so you need more product for the same result. Read more in our guide Full-spectrum oils & the entourage effect.
2. Why a “40 % full-spectrum” is impossible
In an integral extract the THC/CBD ratio stays constant: double the CBD, THC doubles too. A 12 % Slow Weed oil already contains about 0.3 % THC. Pushing it to 40 % would break the legal limit: a product labelled 40 % full-spectrum cannot legally exist.
3. The Chinese-isolate trick
China is the world’s largest CBD-isolate producer, supplying powder at >99 % CBD. Many brands buy it for a few hundred euros per kilo, dissolve it in a carrier oil and label it “premium full-spectrum.” That’s how you get 10 ml bottles at 40 % sold for €25 (or even pricey bottles) that contain almost only isolate— a fake “natural” product and a real rip-off.
4. Three red-flag signals
- Colour too pale – a real full-spectrum runs from golden (5-10 %) to dark amber (>20 %). Almost transparent = isolate.
- Neutral taste – you taste almost only the carrier oil; an integral extract has herbal, spicy notes.
- “Too good” price – making a fake 40 % isolate costs only a few euros; if they sell it for €25, be sceptical.
5. The “light” fake full-spectrum oils
Some companies use another shortcut: they add a tiny amount of integral extract (e.g. 2 %) to an isolate-heavy oil and print “full-spectrum” on the label. On paper terpenes and minor cannabinoids are present, but in amounts too low to trigger any entourage effect. You’re basically paying isolate prices—often at a premium cost—for a “natural” claim that falls apart under analysis.
6. Price & quality comparison
| Product | Declared CBD | Average price (10 ml) | Real composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow Weed full-spectrum | 6 % / 12 % / 18 % / 24 % | €40 / €60 / €80 / €100 | Integral extract from Slow Weed flowers Natural terpenes & minor cannabinoids |
| “40 % full-spectrum” online | 40 % | ≈ €25 | CBD isolate + carrier oil Synthetic or absent terpenes Minor cannabinoids absent |
| “20 % full-spectrum” online | 20 % | ≈ €15 | CBD isolate + carrier oil Synthetic or absent terpenes Minor cannabinoids absent |
7. Slow Weed guarantees
- Complete supply-chain – we grow, extract and bottle everything ourselves.
- Food-grade ethanol extraction at low temperature preserves the full bouquet.
- Natural cultivation – no pesticides or synthetic chemicals: just sun, water and living soil.
See how we farm on our page Our cultivation approach.
8. Quick FAQ
Is a 40 % isolate oil dangerous?
Not inherently, but such high CBD doses make your body work harder for no reason: a 10 % full-spectrum gives the same benefit. Plus, these products offer no traceability: the isolate—often sourced from China— comes from farms with no quality or natural-farming standards.
Does a 40 % isolate oil equal a 10 % full-spectrum?
At the same drop count, a 10 % full-spectrum often matches (or outperforms) a 40 % isolate thanks to the entourage effect: less CBD, better results.
How do I read a lab report to spot real full-spectrum?
Check for non-zero values of THC, terpenes and minor cannabinoids. If a brand’s 20 % and 10 % oils show the same THC (e.g. 0.3 %), something’s off: doubling CBD should also double THC (0.3 % vs 0.15 % in this case).
9. Conclusion
Labels can mislead: a low price and a sky-high percentage don’t guarantee quality. Beware of ultra-cheap, crystal-clear oils—they’re almost always isolates masquerading as full-spectrum. Choose a complete, traceable, natural extract: Slow Weed delivers the full power of hemp, drop by drop.
