When industrial hemp was made legal in the United States, a deluge of new CBD products hit store shelves, ready to be sold to customers looking to experience a range of effects. While the FDA put measures in place to make sure consumers were safe using whichever products they purchased, it quickly became apparent that some CBD products were better than others.
With a desire to consume only safe, trusted, high-quality products, you might be wondering how to spot them among those of lesser quality. Some of these tips might be helpful.
Research Strains
There are over 700 recognized cannabis strains with different characteristics to set them apart. When you’re unsure which CBD products to purchase, pay attention to any identified strains and learn more about them.
For example, the Durban Poison vape features Durban Poison, an iconic cannabis strain named after a South African city and present in the United States since the 1960s or 70s. Unlike other strains that have been crossed with different cultivars, Durban Poison has remained the same.
It boasts a sweet and spicy flavor, with notes of honey or licorice, and it’s easily identifiable by its smell. The more you know about strains before you buy CBD products, the more confidence you might have in your decision.
Learn About Manufacturing
You might not consider the manufacturing processes of every product you purchase from the grocery store, but there’s value in considering it before purchasing CBD products like edibles and tinctures for the first time.
There are very few regulations for CBD manufacturing, which means all manufacturers might use different extraction methods to create their final product. If you find CBD products that seem too cheap, listen to your gut. Rather than organic and pharmaceutical-grade ethanol, they might process their CBD with cost-effective yet toxic solvents like hexane, butane, and propane.
Read Laboratory Results
One of the FDA requirements for selling CBD products is undertaking third-party lab testing and publishing the results for consumers to read. While reading lab results might seem dull, it can be necessary to learn whether your chosen product is what it claims to be. Take note of the THC volume, which shouldn’t exceed 0.3%, and look out for mention of any impurities. The CBD product’s label information should match the data outlined in the lab reports.
Identify Where the Hemp Is Grown
It’s easy to assume that all soil is the same, and hemp can grow perfectly fine anywhere. However, some soil can be polluted, and any contaminants and metals present can make their way into the hemp plants.
Stay away from hemp products produced in soil known for its high volumes of metals like mercury and lead. There are many high-quality hemp-growing areas with loamy, nutrient-rich soil in the United States, such as Colorado, Oregon, and New York.
Pay Attention to the CBD Type
There is more than one type of CBD, and they might affect your goals to combat different problems, such as anxiety, stress, or sleep. Before you purchase a new CBD oil brand, take note of the label and whether it states full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD contains less than 0.3% THC and includes all cannabis plant components, whereas broad-spectrum CBD only has trace amounts of THC and most parts of the cannabis plant. In contrast, CBD isolate doesn’t have THC or cannabinoids and only contains CBD. Current research suggests that full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD are the two types that produce clinical responses.
Consider How Much THC Is Present
THC is present in many CBD products unless manufacturers have removed it. It binds with your body’s receptors and leads to feelings of euphoria and even a ‘high.’
CBD products are only legal if they contain less than 0.3% dry weight of THC. Always compare the lab report to the labeling to ensure the volumes match. Otherwise, you might risk having THC showing up on drug tests and leading to feelings after use that you may not have anticipated.
Look at Packaging Quality
After researching the contents of the CBD products you intend to buy, there’s no harm in focusing on the packaging. Pay attention to the quality of the materials, such as child-proof caps and plastic or glass.
You can then move your attention to the label, identifying whether it appears professional, contains all vital information, and has been designed to stand out for all the right reasons. Some of the best CBD manufacturers and stockists will put a lot of time and effort into ensuring their product labeling reflects the quality of the CBD itself.
A quick glance at a CBD product won’t provide insight into whether it’s low or high quality. However, considering this information above might paint a telling picture of what you can expect.
