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Last updated: October 2026.
CBD paste and CBD oil both come from hemp extract, but they are quite different products. Paste is a thick, concentrated extract usually sold in a syringe; oil is the extract diluted in a carrier oil and measured in drops. This guide compares them on strength, dosing, taste, value and, importantly for Ireland, the THC question.
The short answer
- CBD paste is a thick, concentrated hemp extract, usually sold in a syringe and measured by “grain of rice” portions.
- CBD oil is extract diluted in a carrier oil, measured accurately in drops.
- Paste is often a whole-plant extract, which usually contains some THC: a problem under Irish law.
- For most people in Ireland, a THC-free oil with a lab report is the simpler, safer choice.
What is CBD paste?
CBD paste is a concentrated hemp extract, often close to how it comes out of the extraction process, sometimes with a little carrier oil added. It is thick, sticky and dark, with a strong, bitter taste. It is usually sold in an oral syringe, and you squeeze out a small amount, often described as the size of a grain of rice, to place under your tongue or mix with food.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is hemp extract that has been blended into a carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil or MCT oil, at a set strength: for example 10%, 20% or 30%. It comes in a dropper bottle, so you can measure your amount in drops. Our oils contain two ingredients: hemp extract and hemp seed oil.
Paste vs oil at a glance
| CBD paste | CBD oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Thick, sticky concentrate | Thin oil |
| Packaging | Syringe | Dropper bottle |
| Measuring | “Grain of rice” portions; hard to be precise | Drops; consistent |
| Strength | Often very high | Set percentage: 10%, 20%, 30% |
| Taste | Very strong, bitter | Earthy, milder |
| Typical extract | Often whole-plant | Varies; THC-free options available |
| THC risk in Ireland | Higher | Low if THC-free with a lab report |
A worked example
Imagine a 1g syringe of paste containing 300mg of CBD, so 30%. If a “grain of rice” portion is about 0.05g, that is roughly 15mg of CBD. But squeeze a little more, say 0.08g, and it becomes 24mg. Over a month, those small differences add up and make it hard to know what you are really taking. With a 30% oil, one drop is consistently about 15mg, so two drops is about 30mg every time.
These figures are illustrative. Always check the label of the specific product.
Dosing: why accuracy matters
The biggest practical difference is dosing. With paste, a “grain of rice” can vary a lot depending on how much you squeeze, so it is hard to take the same amount each day. With oil, each drop contains roughly the same amount of CBD, about 5mg for a 10% oil, so it is easy to stay consistent and to make small adjustments. Consistency is what lets you judge how CBD suits you.
The THC question in Ireland
Many CBD pastes are made from whole-plant extracts, keeping the plant’s other compounds, which usually includes some THC. In some countries that is accepted. In Ireland, food products containing THC at any level are treated as controlled drugs, and the courts confirmed in 2024 and 2025 that any preparation containing THC is a controlled drug. A concentrated paste with THC in it is therefore a real legal risk, and it could cause a positive drug test. If you consider a paste, insist on a lab report showing THC as not detected.
How CBD paste is made
Paste usually starts as a crude or lightly refined extract from the extraction process, which concentrates the cannabinoids along with waxes, chlorophyll and other plant compounds. Some producers decarboxylate the extract (gently heat it) to convert the acid forms of cannabinoids, such as CBDA, into CBD. Little else is done before it goes into the syringe, which is why paste is thick, dark and strongly flavoured, and why its THC content needs careful testing.
How to take each
| Paste | Oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Small portion under the tongue or mixed into food | Drops under the tongue, held 60 to 90 seconds |
| Starts working | Similar to oil under the tongue, or slower in food | 15 to 45 minutes under the tongue |
| Tip | Warm the syringe in your hand to soften | Shake the bottle first |
Moving from paste to oil
If you have used paste abroad and want a legal, THC-free option in Ireland, an oil is the natural switch. Work out roughly how many mg of CBD you were taking (the paste label should give mg per gram or per portion), then choose an oil strength that lets you take a similar amount in a few drops. Keep the amount the same at first, then adjust gradually.
Taste
Paste is concentrated, so its taste is much stronger and more bitter than oil. Most people mix it with a spoon of honey or nut butter, or take it with a drink. Oil tastes milder, and capsules or gummies avoid the taste entirely. Read what does CBD oil taste like?.
Value: cost per mg
Paste can look like good value because it is concentrated. To compare fairly, divide the price by the total mg of CBD. Our 30% oil works out at under 5c per mg, comparable to many pastes, with easier dosing and a lab report for every batch.
Checking a paste or oil before you buy
- Total CBD in mg, and mg per gram or per drop
- Independent lab report for the batch
- THC shown as not detected
- Heavy metals and pesticides tested
- Company address and contact details
- No medical claims
Other CBD formats compared
| Format | Best for |
|---|---|
| Oil | Accurate, adjustable dosing |
| Capsules | No taste, fixed amount |
| Gummies | Tasty, fixed amount |
| Cream | Use on the skin |
| Paste | Experienced users where whole-plant products are legal |
Whatever you choose, the amount of CBD you take and taking it consistently matter more than the format.
Who might choose which?
| You might prefer… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Oil | want accurate, consistent dosing; are new to CBD; are in Ireland and want THC-free |
| Capsules or gummies | dislike the taste of hemp; want a fixed amount |
| Paste | are an experienced user abroad where whole-plant products are legal (not recommended in Ireland) |
Storage
- Paste: keep the syringe capped, in a cool place; warm it in your hand to make it easier to squeeze.
- Oil: keep in its box or a cupboard, cap tightly closed.
- Both: out of reach of children and pets.
Frequently asked questions
What is CBD paste?
A thick, concentrated hemp extract, usually sold in a syringe.
Is CBD paste stronger than oil?
It is usually more concentrated, but strength depends on the total mg of CBD. Compare the numbers.
Is CBD paste legal in Ireland?
Only if it contains no THC. Many pastes are whole-plant extracts containing THC, which is controlled at any level in Irish food products.
How do I measure CBD paste?
Usually by squeezing out a small portion, but it is hard to be precise. Oil is easier to measure.
Does CBD paste taste bad?
It has a strong, bitter taste. Many people mix it with honey or nut butter.
Is paste better value?
Not necessarily. Compare cost per mg of CBD.
Will CBD paste show up on a drug test?
It can, if it contains THC.
Can I use paste on my skin?
It is made for taking by mouth. Use a cream or balm designed for the skin instead.
Do you sell CBD paste?
No. We sell CBD oils at 10%, 20% and 30%, gummies, capsules and creams.
Which is best for beginners?
A 10% oil, because it is easy to measure and adjust.
What is decarboxylation?
Gently heating the extract to convert the acid forms of cannabinoids, such as CBDA, into their active forms, such as CBD.
Is raw CBD paste better?
Not necessarily. “Raw” products contain more CBDA and other compounds; research on their differences is limited, and THC content still matters.
Can I travel with CBD paste?
Be careful. If it contains THC, it is illegal in Ireland and many other countries. Keep any CBD product in original packaging with its lab report.
Is paste more natural than oil?
Paste is less processed, but “natural” is not a measure of quality or safety. The lab report is what matters.
How long does a syringe of paste last?
It depends on its size and how much you take. Work it out from the total mg and your daily amount.
Can paste go off?
Yes. Keep it capped, cool and away from light, and check the best-before date.
Is paste suitable for pets?
No. Use a product made for pets, chosen by weight, after speaking to your vet.
Disclaimer: CBD is sold as a food supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting a new supplement, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.
