What’s the difference between “Cannabis” and “Hemp”?
Hemp IS Cannabis. It is variety of Cannabis sativa that has been cultivated over time to contain very low amounts of THC. It is a non-psychoactive, and genetically distinct variety of the plant Cannabis sativa that has no use as a recreational drug.
Hemp is called “industrial hemp” when grown in accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill – Section 7606.
Section 7606 of the Farm Bill defines industrial hemp as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”
Does hemp come from “seed and stem” of a cannabis plant?
No. Cannabis grown as agricultural hemp and Cannabis grown as marijuana are genetically distinct varieties of Cannabis, but they are the same species of plant.
Some people believe that hemp comes from only the seeds and stems of a cannabis plant, but this is not true. If a plant is a hemp variety of cannabis, the whole plant is a hemp plant. Seed, stem, leaf and flower. Some Hemp is grown to be high in fiber, some is grown for seed and some is grown for flower.
Once again, hemp is cannabis. It’s a cannabis plant bred for low THC but high CBD that make it undesirable as a recreational drug. The WHOLE plant is considered hemp.
Where does ShiKai source its CBD?
ShiKai’s CBD is sourced from farms in the United States. Specifically, ShiKai buys our CBD from GenCanna™, grown in the state of Kentucky. GenCanna grows its hemp using organic practices on U.S. Hemp Authority accredited farms, free from pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Their network of farms operates legally under state and federal regulations for industrial hemp production, processing and product manufacturing.
We use this supplier because it operates a legal hemp program in a state that is fully compliant with the federal Agricultural Act of 2014, also called the 2014 Farm Bill. Legal compliance is a foundational component of ShiKai’s CBD product line.
Which extraction method is used for ShiKai’s CBD?
ShiKai’s CBD isolate is collected through CO2 extraction. CO2 extraction is a process that uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull the desired phytochemicals from hemp. This first step separates all of the plant oils, waxes, terpenes and other fat-soluble materials from the plant material. The resulting oil-based mixture then undergoes a second process during which all of the mixture’s various chemical components are separated using high pressure liquid chromatography or HPLC. What remains is pure cannabidiol in the form of white crystals or powder that has been isolated from the rest of the plant.
Which third party lab tests ShiKai’s CBD?
ShiKai uses several testing labs to test both our CBD ingredient and the finished product. All labs we use are ISO certified/accredited.
Click the name of the lab to see their certification.
North Coast Analytical Laboratories LLC
ProVerde Laboratories, Inc.
SC Laboratories LLC
What testing is performed on the CBD in ShiKai’s products?
ShiKai’s CBD Topicals are tested using the following standard test panels:
Qualitative Analysis (Gross Visual/Microscopic)
– Foreign matter
– Color
– Molds and mildews
– Smell
– Product Feel
Quantitative Analysis (AOAC 4.1.03, AOAC 4.1.10)
– % Moisture
– % Ash
Microbial Analysis (BAM-3, AOAC 49.2.05, BAM-18)
– Standard plate count
– Total Aflatoxin
– Total Yeast
– Total Mold
Cannabinoid Analysis (HPLC-DAD)
– Total Cannabinoid
– Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA)
– Cannabidiol (CBD)\
– Cannabidivarian (CBDV)
– Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA)
– Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC)
– Cannabinol
– Cannabichromene
Heavy Metal Analysis (6010B)
– Arsenic
– Cadmium
– Chromium
– Lead
– Mercury
Pesticide Analysis (AOAC 2007.1)
– Multi Residue Pesticide Analysis
Residual Solvent Analysis (GC/MS Headspace)
– Hexanes
– Acetone
– Ethanol
– Isopropyl Alcohol
Our CBD ingredient is tested upon receipt at ShiKai’s manufacturing plant. After we produce the CBD products, we do our own standard quality tests (for bacteria, yeast and mold) and additionally test for CBD concentration in the final product. This is done to ensure that the CBD content called out on the container is actually present in the product.
Results are available through our website and a QR code on the product packaging.
Does ShiKai test for microbiological contaminants in the final CBD product?
Does ShiKai test for heavy metals in the final CBD product?
Does ShiKai test for pesticides in the final CBD product?
Yes, yes, and yes. For further detail please refer to the list above of tests performed.
Does ShiKai test for glyphosate in the final CBD product?
Not quite yet. But we are currently ramping up a pilot program for glyphosate testing. All ShiKai CBD product batches manufactured starting March 2020 going forward will be submitted for additional glyphosate testing.
Routine pesticide tests (see list above) don’t specifically screen for glyphosate. Additionally, there are no state or federal regulations which require glyphosate to be among the residual pesticides being tested for in CBD products. For example, in California where ShiKai is located, glyphosate is not one of the 66 residual pesticide chemistries required for safety testing by the Bureau of Cannabis Control.
Why are we doing this? There’s a lot of interest in glyphosate, an active ingredient in RoundUp®. Glyphosate is an herbicide, a substance that is toxic to plants, which if applied to hemp would kill or damage the hemp plant resulting in crop loss. A hemp farmer following organic and/or regenerative farming practices would not apply glyphosate on or near their crop however to ensure no cross contamination and to allay any consumer concerns, ShiKai will perform this test on its CBD products and post results on our website.
Where can I find the Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for my batch of ShiKai CBD?
COAs can be found by following this link: https://www.shikai.com/batch-info/.
You can also use your smartphone’s camera to read the QR code graphic on your product’s packaging. Follow the prompts and enter the product batch number into the search bar to access data on your specific batch of product.
In December 2019, ShiKai began to post tests of the ingredient CBD in addition to analysis of our final products. Beginning in March 2020 we will perform additional analysis of our final product for residual glyphosate, the results of which will also be posted online.
What manufacturing practices does ShiKai follow?
ShiKai follows cGMP practices. See our statement here.
Is ShiKai a member of any industry organizations?
Yes, ShiKai belongs to the National Hemp Association.
Does ShiKai support regenerative farming practices?
Yes. Sometimes called “regenerative agriculture” or “carbon farming,” regenerative farming is the practice of raising livestock or crops in a way that sequesters carbon and maximizes soil health. This can include no-till practices, preserving soil through the use of cover crops and crop rotations, using fewer chemicals and fertilizers, and incorporating rotational livestock grazing. In December 2019 ShiKai’s CBD supplier, GenCanna, became a founding partner of the U.S. Hemp Growers Assocation (USHGA), the only national grower-directed hemp trade association which is focused on providing educational and market development resources, research and networking opportunity to unify the voice of growers to actively engage in critically important efforts including regenerative farming practices. We applaud the farmers who are taking action in this arena.
This document was most recently updated on 12 Feb 2020.