With so many CBD brands emerging every day, it can be fearsome for both retailers and end-consumers to differ between which brands to trust or consume. The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill which officially legalized the production and sale of hemp gave new life to the CBD craze. With CBD’s non regulated status (for now), product formulations can range from pretty much A to Z.
Below are 5 things to look for when shopping for a CBD product:
1. Full spectrum, high CBD Hemp extract. This means that it not only contains CBD but also all of the other beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the cannabis plant. The cannabinoids work more efficiently when they are all kept intact/together due to the “Entourage Effect”.
2. Is it 3rd party tested? Do they have a certificate of analysis (COA) for the products you are interested in. If they cannot provide this item, in my books, thats a red flag.
3. Try to buy products made with USA-made hemp or countries where you can at least get info on the producing/manufacturing practices. There are definitely brands out there using foreign hemp oil that are good, but be wary if the brand cannot provide details on where it is grown, how it is grown (i.e., organic), and how it is extracted and tested. Plus, it’s always good to buy local whenever possible.
4. Read your labels carefully. Since there isn’t a standard labeling requirement for CBD products, there is a plethora of ways products are currently being labeled. Look for what the dosage is, not just total mg in the product — that way you have accurate intake control. Also, some brands call the product ‘Hemp Oil’ which can be a bit confusing. Sometimes this means Hemp Seed Oil (mainly used in beauty products) which does not contain CBD.
5. Always do your research (captain obvious), do not take anything suspicious at face value, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and dig deep into the details of any provider’s website. Most importantly, though, use common sense.
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