What is CBD? The main product types explained for retailers

By Manon, CBD specialist at Deli Hemp Pro

CBD, or cannabidiol, is the cannabinoid that gives CBD products their name, and in the hemp varieties grown for it, it is the most abundant one. It sells in several forms, and each raises different questions at the counter. This is a plain overview for shop owners and buyers, product type by product type, without the health promises that have no place on a label or in a sales pitch.

What is CBD, exactly?

CBD is a compound produced by the hemp plant, mostly in its flowers. Unlike THC, it does not cause the “high” associated with cannabis. The hemp grown for CBD is bred to contain very little THC, and the products we supply comply with French law (delta-9-THC ≤ 0.3%).

In France, CBD has gone mainstream over the past few years. At Deli Hemp it comes in every common format, because customers do not all use it the same way. Here are the main ones.

Full-spectrum CBD oils

Oils are the format most customers know first. A full-spectrum oil keeps the other compounds of the plant alongside the CBD. Strengths vary a great deal: when this article was first written, in 2022, the range ran from 5% to 60% CBD.

They are taken as drops under the tongue, which makes the quantity easy to measure. The two classic flavours are natural hemp and peppermint.

CBD teas and infusions

CBD infusions blend hemp with other plants, and the ones we described in 2022 used only organically farmed ingredients. Customers drink them at breakfast or after dinner, like any herbal tea.

One recent change matters here. Since 15 May 2026, the French food authority (DGAL, the directorate-general for food) has banned foodstuffs containing CBD, because CBD has not been authorised as a novel food in the EU. Before ordering infusions or any other product meant to be swallowed, check how it is classed where you sell.

CBD flowers

Hemp flowers are the dried buds of the plant. The ones in our range are grown in Europe, and the premium lines include organic flower. Buyers judge them on looks, smell and terpene profile, the aromatic compounds that give each variety its character.

Two terms come up often in the shop. Vaporising means heating ground flower in a vaporiser, without burning it; the temperature setting changes which aromas come through. Decarboxylation means heating the flower gently in an oven so that the acid form of the cannabinoid converts into CBD. It is the step people mention when they talk about using flower in recipes, which in France now falls under the food rule above.

Rules on hemp flower, resin and other hemp products differ from one country to the next and can be much stricter than in France. In the UK, the status of hemp flower is still contested, so check what you may resell where you trade before you order.

CBD vapes

Vape products come as e-liquids, disposable puffs and refillable pens such as the Deli-Pen. All of them are nicotine-free. CBD strengths vary widely, from 5% to 65% in the range described in 2022.

For a shop, the appeal is simple: customers who already vape know the gesture and the hardware, so the format needs little explanation.

What should you check before stocking a CBD product?

• The batch lab report, with the CBD and delta-9-THC content of the batch you receive.
• How the product is classed in your country: food, cosmetic, smoking product or something else.
• The label and your sales talk. Describe the format, the strength and the aromas, never a health effect.

Frequently asked questions

Does CBD make you high?

No. CBD does not produce the euphoric effect of THC. Hemp grown for CBD contains very little THC, and our products comply with French law (delta-9-THC ≤ 0.3%).

Can CBD infusions still be sold in France?

Since 15 May 2026, France has banned foodstuffs containing CBD, as CBD is not authorised as a novel food in the EU. Infusions meant to be drunk fall into that category. Check the rules of your own country before ordering.