What does “Full-spectrum” mean?

A preparation containing the range of compounds extracted from the plant, including cannabinoids other than the principal one and terpenes.

Full-spectrum in plain English

A preparation containing the range of compounds extracted from the plant, including cannabinoids other than the principal one and terpenes.

The term is descriptive rather than regulatory, and is not applied consistently across the industry.

Full-spectrum preparations are the basis of the entourage effect argument — that the mixture does something the isolated compound does not. That remains a hypothesis rather than a demonstrated clinical fact.

Frequently asked questions

What does full-spectrum mean?

A preparation containing the range of compounds extracted from the plant, including cannabinoids other than the principal one and terpenes.

Sources and further reading

Every factual statement on this page is drawn from the following public sources. Links open in a new tab and are not affiliated with Flora House.

  1. NICE guideline NG144: Cannabis-based medicinal products
  2. NHS: Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils)
  3. MHRA: The supply, manufacture, importation and distribution of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use

Patient guide · Written by the Flora House editorial team · Last reviewed: 8 September 2026