The Ultimate Guide to Phytocannabinoid-Rich (PCR) Hemp Oil: Is It Different Than CBD Oil?

Is PCR hemp oil any different from CBD oil? Learn what phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil (PCR hemp oil) is and whether or not it’s legal in your state.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

What if we tell you, you have yet to try the most powerful CBD oil on the market? 

The hemp plant contains over 400 naturally occurring compounds, and you are not getting even half of them. 

This is why PCR hemp oil is a “true” full-spectrum CBD oil and why it delivers the most potent entourage effect out of all CBD oils.  

What is Phytocannabinoid-Rich (PCR) Hemp Oil?

PCR Hemp Oil stands for phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil. PCR hemp oil is closest to full spectrum CBD oil, but — in addition to cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids — PCR hemp oil also contains vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, phytonutrients, and other materials naturally present in the hemp plant. 

In essence, PCR hemp oil is a CBD oil of supreme quality. 

With other types of CBD oils, manufacturers put the main focus on cannabidiol (CBD) as the most important compound in the product. 

PCR hemp oil has shifted this focus to the benefits of the whole plant extract and the entire chemical profile of the hemp plant. 

There are hundreds of other compounds within the hemp plant, which even regular full spectrum CBD oil doesn’t actually contain. 

Most ‘regular’ full spectrum oils are made by extracting the terpenes separately and then combining them back into the oil. 

That’s not ‘true’ full spectrum CBD oil. 

In contrast, PCR Hemp oil is considered ‘true’ full spectrum oil because it contains an array of beneficial compounds found exactly as they are in a whole plant hemp extract. This makes PCR hemp oil the most precious hemp oil currently on the market. 

Hemp Components That Make PCR Oil, PCR

The oil contains most of the cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, including a small percentage of THC — of course, insufficient to get you high. 

The rich phytocannabinoid profile of PCR oil makes it a healthier and overall better alternative than most CBD oils. 

What’s Inside High-Quality PCR Hemp Oil?

Phytocannabinoids

Full spectrum PCR hemp oil contains dozens of phytocannabinoids, including:

CBD is the most abundant cannabidiol found in PCR hemp oil. Luckily, the contribution of other, smaller cannabinoids, is no longer overlooked, so they are also present in PCR oil.  

Terpenes and Flavonoids

The hemp plant contains over 100 terpenes and flavonoids, which play an essential role in the overall effect of PCR oil. 

Terpenes are known as the “aromatic compounds” of plants, but they also have a beneficial effect on the human body.

Flavonoids give hemp its pigment, aroma, and flavor, and many of them are unique to the cannabis plant and are known as cannaflavins. 

The level of terpenes and flavonoids in your oil depends on the plant used for extraction. 

Some of the most common terpenes in the hemp plant include:

Some of the most common flavonoids in the hemp plant are:

Vitamins and Minerals

PCR hemp oil also contains a wide range of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, including:

Essential Fatty Acids and Protein

PCR hemp oil is a natural, healthy source of protein and essential fats. Because PCR hemp oil is a true full spectrum oil made using whole plant hemp extraction, it preserves the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and amino acids contained in hemp. 

Our bodies don’t make these essential fatty acids and amino acids, so we have to take them through food. Luckily, hemp contains all of them, and now, so does Mr Hemp Flower’s PCR hemp oil. 

What’s The Difference Between CBD Isolate and PCR Oils?

There is a considerable difference between CBD isolate and PCR oils. The most important distinction is the variety of compounds present in these two types of oils. 

Compared to PCR hemp oil, CBD isolate is pretty “poor” in cannabinoids and is stripped of all terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, and fatty acids naturally present inside full spectrum hemp extract. 

PCR oil is rich in the most well-known cannabinoids naturally present in the hemp plant, while CBD isolate contains only cannabidiol (CBD).

To give you a better image of the difference between PCR oil and CBD isolate, we’ll compare the two in the table down below. 

Let’s take a look at the composition of our 500 mg PCR hemp tincture compared to the composition of a generic CBD isolate. 

* The numbers in the table are based on the product’s lab report but are for demonstration only. 

You can see from the numbers above that Mr. Hemp Flower PCR Hemp Oil is pretty potent. A 15 ml bottle contains 460 mg of CBD, which equals to 30 mg of CBD in 1 ml (full dropper). 

The good thing is that you are also getting other cannabinoids and terpenes with each dropper, compared to CBD isolate where you get pure CBD only.  

To calculate the potency of your oil in milligrams, you should look at the bottle and the amount of CBD (and other cannabinoids) inside. Then, divide the amount of CBD (or other cannabinoids) with the size of the bottle. 

In this case, if you look at the lab results, you’ll see that our 15 ml tincture contains approximately 460 mg of CBD. 

So, if your bottle is 15 ml bottle and contains 460 mg of CBD, you get 30 mg of CBD in 1 ml (a full dropper) — 460mg/15ml = 30 mg/mL.

How is PCR Hemp Oil Made? 

PCR hemp oil is made from a whole plant extract from the flower and the leaves of the hemp plant. 

Whole plant hemp extraction produces full spectrum hemp extract, which contains both major and minor cannabinoids and other nutrients. 

In contrast, pure cannabinoid extracts (such as CBD isolate) are created using hemp flower, which is part of the plant that contains trichomes. Trichomes produce cannabinoids, so it’s easier for manufacturers to use this part of the plant to isolate and purify the desired cannabinoids. 

PCR hemp oil is usually made using ethanol extraction, which is classified as “Generally Regarded as Safe” by the FDA. 

Manufacturers use ethanol extraction in many common foods and medicines, and now to extract the phytocannabinoid-rich plant material. 

Some of the benefits of ethanol extraction are as follows:

But, the most important benefit of ethanol is that it’s the only solvent that maintains the original chemical ratios present in the hemp plant. 

How is Mr. Hemp Flower PCR Oil Made?

Mr. Hemp Flower PCR Hemp Oil is made using an advanced ethanol extraction method.

We use 200 proof, organic ethanol, to slowly extract the whole plant oil without the need for too much post-processing. 

Mr. Hemp Flower PCR oil is truly full spectrum oil because it contains beneficial plant matter inside. 

We use processes such as double winterization and double decarb, so the oil is never exposed to any fumes. 

By using winterization, we remove undesirable elements extracted from the hemp plant, such as chlorophyll and waxes. 

The decarboxylation process unlocks the benefits of the full spectrum oil by activating the cannabinoids from their inactive acidic state. 

The “crude oil” or unrefined oil that comes out of the extraction process is mixed with a high-grade organic MCT oil. 

What is MCT carrier oil?

MCT oil stands for medium-chain triglyceride oil, which is a commonly added supplement to smoothies and salad dressing. 

MCT oil is easily digested and linked to the way your body processes fats. This oil is most commonly extracted from coconut oil. 

MCT is a great carrier oil for whole plant extracts because it helps the absorption of cannabinoids, which are fat-soluble ⁠— get dissolved in fats and oils. 

Benefits of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil:

There is a lot of hype in the industry around the use of CO2 extraction as the safest, most reliable method. However, the CO2 method also requires the use of high heat and solvents, which make ethanol a much safer extraction option. 

By only using ethanol extraction, we pull a broader spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other components that the CO2 extraction doesn’t deliver.

Potential Health Benefits of PCR Hemp Oil

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of phytocannabinoids and terpenes, especially cannabidiol (CBD). 

As much as we’d love to rave about how amazing CBD is in this blog, we have to tone it down. 

The FDA has been making crackdowns on companies that market their CBD products under various health claims. Until the FDA decides the future of CBD, take a look at the list of recent studies done on CBD. 

These studies show the effectiveness of phytocannabinoids, mostly CBD, and the way they work in the body. 

Disclaimer: The studies listed above may include opinions and claims related to the effects of phytocannabinoids (mostly CBD) on various health conditions. The presented list is for information purposes only and doesn’t include nor is related to the use of MrHempFlower products. 

What Does PCR Hemp Oil Taste Like? 

PCR hemp oil has a very “earthy” taste, which some users describe it as “almost like what you would imagine the color green to taste like” 

Compared to CBD isolates, PCR hemp oil has a more hemp-like taste. 

That’s because PCR hemp oil is a whole plant product ⁠— contains all of the incredible components naturally found in hemp ⁠— and hasn’t been as purified as CBD isolate. 

But, don’t dread it, it’s essentially a good taste that you wouldn’t want to mask. 

The golden brown consistency and the nice “earthy” taste indicate a properly filtered product. This precious whole plant oil is free of excess plant matter such as chlorophyll, waxes, and other ingredients that can “spoil” its original taste and color.

The type of carrier oil used to mix the full spectrum extract can largely influence the taste of the final product. 

To keep the original, earthy taste, we mix our products with MCT carrier oil, which has virtually no taste or smell. 

Why is PCR Hemp Oil Brown? 

The same goes for its color. PCR hemp oil has a beautiful golden brown color because it’s a whole plant product. 

Tip: You should pay attention to the color of the hemp oil you’re using. Here is why the color of the oil matters and what it can tell you.

Unlike some CBD isolates, which are mostly clear, full spectrum extracts as PCR oil can range from golden to dark green to brown. 

The reason for this color range is that PCR oil contains cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, CBC, THC, terpenes, and hemp nutrients.

Full spectrum PCR oil has a brown color because it’s not stripped of all the cannabinoids, essential oils, fatty acids, and amino acids like a CBD isolate is. 

Pure CBD isolate is typically white and powdery, and transparent after being dissolved into a carrier oil. 

The darker the hemp oil is, the less amount of processing it’s had.

The carrier oil also may influence the color of the CBD oil. Carrier oils such as olive oil or hemp seed oil give the CBD oil a golden or greenish color, while coconut or MCT oil are nearly colorless. 

If chlorophyll is present, the oil has green hues.

Although the color of the oil doesn’t tell you everything about the compounds present inside, it provides useful information that validates the cannabinoid profile of the oil.

PCR Oil and The Entourage Effect

In essence, the entourage effect means that all naturally-occurring hemp compounds matter. 

We all know that the benefits of hemp extend way beyond CBD and THC — the two primary cannabinoids found in this plant. 

The hemp plant is rich in 400 other compounds that, when used together, produce a synergistic phenomenon known as the “entourage effect.”

The entourage effect has been investigated by Dr. Ethan Ruso, a neurologist with an extensive background on cannabinoids and their effects on the human body. 

According to Dr. Russo, the entourage effect is the interactive synergy between hemp compounds. The hemp plant is rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. When used in conjunction, they enhance the unique properties of each compound, which they don’t do when used individually.  

Unlike CBD isolate, PCR hemp oil has the power to deliver all of the amazing benefits of the hemp plant. 

PCR hemp oil is perfect if you want to reap the benefits of the entourage effect. PCR oil is not only rich in CBD and other major cannabinoids and terpenes but also contains just the right amount of plant matter, which makes it a true full spectrum hemp oil. 

In contrast, CBD isolate contains only cannabidiol (CBD) and no other cannabinoids or terpenes. So, CBD isolate doesn’t deliver the benefits of the entourage effect.  

Is PCR Hemp Oil Legal on Federal and State Level?

Can you legally buy PCR hemp oil in the U.S.? 

Yes, you can legally buy PCR hemp oil in the U.S. As we’ve mentioned, PCR hemp oil is another type of CBD oil, which contains THC in the legally allowed limits under federal law — less than 0.3%. 

In 2018, the Agriculture Improvement Act legalized hemp-derived CBD. If the hemp used to produce PCR oil is in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp, the product is federally legal. 

But, each state has the right to create its own hemp and CBD laws, so you should check the state laws before purchasing PCR oil in any given state. Some states have strict rules and regulations regarding CBD use.   

Currently, we are in a complicated legal landscape that is still developing. 

The legality of PCR oil is still murky because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in the process of evaluating the safety of the component. 

The FDA hasn’t regulated these new hemp products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act and the Public Service Act. 

Although states are allowed to permit the production of hemp and sale of hemp-derived products, manufacturers are not allowed to market or produce CBD products as a drug, food, or dietary supplement. All of those things are subject to FDA regulation. 

Overall, most states allow the use of hemp-derived phytocannabinoid-rich oil with less than 0.3% THC. But each has its own set of laws and regulations. 

Is PCR Hemp Oil Legal in Your State? Check the List Below.

States where PCR Hemp Oil is fully legal:

States where PCR Hemp Oil is in a gray area or is legal with certain restrictions:

States where PCR hemp oil is illegal:

New Hampshire

South Dakota

Where to Buy High-Quality PCR Hemp Oil

It’s crucial to buy your PCR Hemp Oil from a reputable source that offers third-party lab results that tell you exactly what’s in the product.  

Mr. Hemp Flower offers full spectrum PCR Hemp Oil with 0.3% THC. You know that if the oil doesn’t contain THC (within the legal limits), it’s not really full spectrum. 

Our PCR oil is golden brown in color and rich in multiple phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and fatty acids, making it a “true” full spectrum oil.

Mr. Hemp Flower PCR hemp oil comes in three sizes and contains high concentrations of CBD:

When combined with the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and hemp nutrients, our high quality PCR hemp oil makes the most potent hemp-derived oil on the market. 

The brown color is an indicator of the oil’s unique cannabinoid profile and the presence of hemp plant matter rich in hemp nutrients. 

Our 500 mg oil contains high levels of CBD in addition to dozens of other terpenes and beneficial compounds. 

We use one of the safest extraction solvents to create our PCR oil — ethanol. This extraction process preserves terpenes and beneficial nutrients while eliminating unwanted waxes and chlorophyll. 

FAQs on PCR Hemp Oil