The market is seemingly flooded with options when it comes to buying CBD, with CBD products popping up everywhere, from grocery stores to gas stations. While it may be tempting to pick up a bottle while filling up your tank, it’s important to take the time to research and understand where your CBD is coming from.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for quality CBD products:
1. Always ask for test results
There are four non-negotiables when it comes to quality hemp extract products. Whether in-store or online, make sure you’re getting answers about extraction method, CBD/THC content (full-spectrum CBD may contain up to 0.3% CBD), where the hemp is sourced and if the product is an isolate or full-spectrum product. Third party test results will include this information and should come standard with every CBD product in stock. Any reputable supplier will have this information readily available to the consumer. Whether it is listed on the label, or available in-store, complete transparency with this information is a good indicator of quality!
2. Choose quality over affordability
CBD can be a cost-effective wellness alternative, but these products will almost always be more expensive than other topical lotions and household oils. This is because the process of planting, harvesting, extracting and formulating CBD is labor and time-intensive. Many “cheap” CBD products contain little to no cannabinoids, and they may even contain coconut or hemp seed oil as the main ingredient. If you come across a product that seems shockingly affordable and think it may be too good to be true…it probably is. It’s OK to be skeptical, and we always recommend researching the company before buying the product! For reference, a 30 mL (1 fl oz) bottle with 1,000 mg of CBD should retail around $100. A good benchmark for quality CBD products is about $10 per 100 mg of CBD.
3. Know where your CBD is coming from
It’s important to make sure your CBD is coming from the United States, and more specifically, from a state with legislation on growing procedures. As of April 2019, there were only 17 states with laws specifically addressing the production of hemp (CBD): Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. States with laws surrounding hemp production tend to have a well-established culture and standard around the growing and harvesting of these products.
Another rule of thumb, if you’re buying CBD anywhere that does not have a trained expert to help answer questions, you’re probably in the wrong place. CBD is wonderful when it’s grown and harvested ethically, but companies that skimp on quality have no business in the holistic healthcare industry.
Our knowledgeable staff is here to provide more information about specific products we carry, and that always includes our third-party test results. Please stop by the store or send us a message. We’d love to connect!