How to find quality CBD products and what to look for in a reputable CBD company
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Author: Joy Hughes
The CBD market is exploding, and new CBD stores are popping up on every corner. Even drug stores, grocery markets, and holistic health centers everywhere are jumping on the CBD bandwagon, and for good reason. Scientific studies as well as anecdotal evidence have claimed that CBD holds a number of therapeutic values.
Unfortunately, not all CBD products are created equal and not all CBD companies are considered reputable. Sadly, the CBD market is becoming saturated with money-hungry operators, and the concern for quality CBD products is becoming more prevalent. What's worse, the FDA isn’t necessarily looking out for the CBD consumers, either. According to Marcel Bonn-Miller, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, anyone could theoretically create a CBD product with questionable ingredients and start selling it to the public in a matter of days.1
Alarmingly, consumers have no idea that some CBD products on the market today are either fake, or worse, harmful to consume. In fact, just in the last year, 52 people in the state of Utah fell ill after consuming CBD products that were falsely labeled. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, synthetic compounds (4-CCB) were discovered in a product titled “YOLO CBD OIL”. Although 4-CCB acts on the same receptors as the natural cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its effects are unpredictable, resulting in dangerous and negative outcomes. Simply put, the lack of regulation and thorough testing is hurting the credibility and trust of the CBD industry, and putting consumers at risk for possible sickness.23
5 ways to determine a reputable CBD company and the quality of their products
Thankfully, there are reputable CBD companies creating and selling quality CBD products. As a consumer, the key to find these reputable CBD companies is to do your due diligence and research the company and their products before purchasing them. For some it may sound incredibly tricky. Most consumers have no idea where to start when it comes to determining what makes a reputable CBD company and how to actually know if their CBD products are high quality. Surprisingly, however, it’s a lot easier than it sounds. Here are 5 ways to determine if the CBD company is reputable and creates quality products for their consumers.
- Find out where the CBD company gets their hemp. Is it grown in the U.S. and is the hemp grown on soil that’s free of pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful contaminants? There are three states that have gained quality reputation in their soil and cultivation methods: Colorado, Oregon, and Kentucky. But keep in mind that not everyone follows these guidelines in these states, so be sure to research and ask before moving forward.
- Before the extraction process, is the hemp crop tested for pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and the levels of terpenes and cannabinoids? This is important as some hemp crops may experience overspray from neighboring farmers nearby.
- Determine the type of extraction process that’s used. CO2 extraction has been determined the safest form of extraction for mass production.
- Learn what the active and inactive ingredients are in each CBD product and how many milligrams (mg) of CBD are in the actual product. For example, there are 3,000 mg of CBD in a 2 oz bottle of Lazarus Naturals, and in there are 50mg per 1 ML. Active ingredients should include the cannabinoids, terpenes, and carrier oils used in the CBD product. Inactive ingredients may include artificial flavoring that may upset certain users. Steer clear of any products that use propylene glycol, as it can degrade into formaldehyde at high temperatures.
- Lastly, be sure that the CBD company you are considering is having their products tested by an accredited third party. This is usually done once the final formulation of the product is complete and ready to market. Third party testing simply confirms the results that are listed on the product label from an unbiased perspective.4
Additional CBD Shopping Tips
Reputable CBD companies care about the quality of their products and the health and safety of their customers. The best way to view the accuracy and transparency of a CBD company is through the COA (Certificate of Analysis) of the product. Most COAs are readily available for viewing on the CBD company's website. However, some companies have cut corners and falsify their COA with past COAs to cut cost. Always check the batch number and the date of the company’s COA for each product before purchasing. When in doubt, feel free to contact the CBD company directly and speak to their customer service. Reputable CBD companies will take the time to listen to their customers' concerns and provide knowledgeable information.
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Thank you for such a great article. I’ve been wanting to try CBD but it’s so hard to know what to look for.