CBD products are everywhere you turn from storefronts to kiosks in the mall to online. But how do you know that what you’re buying is a quality product or exactly what you want?
Being a knowledgeable consumer is the first step in obtaining the type of CBD products you need and want most. Here we’ll cover a few tips for purchasing the best CBD products on the market that fit your individual needs.
1. Check the THC Levels and Other Ingredients
The most important thing to consider when deciding how to buy CBD oils or other products is what they contain. Knowing the specific ingredients of the product, including THC levels, is a must.
In order for a CBD product to be legal, it must contain lower than 0.3% of THC. Check your state and local laws in regard to purchasing CBD products. Many states have legalized the use and purchase of CBD products but have done so with limitations based on the product’s THC levels.
Low THC levels also mean that you won’t experience any psychoactive side-effects. THC is the ingredient in marijuana that causes the “high” feeling most people associate with the drug.
CBD products, on the other hand, deliver all the benefits of the cannabinoids without these unwanted effects. If you want a product that contains more than 0.3% THC, be sure you live in a state that legally allows recreational cannabis use.
2. Understand How to Read Labels and Lab Reports
In addition to checking the CBD product label for the THC content, you also need to take a close look at the ingredients and lab reports, when available. While this may sound easy, understanding CBD labels can be a little more involved than you might think.
Some products contain additional ingredients that offer other benefits, like melatonin for sleep. Be wary of CBD products that contain potentially harmful ingredients like vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol, which are commonly found in vape oils.
Edible CBD products and gummies also contain artificial colours and flavours which aren’t normally harmful but you may not want to ingest.
Another important thing to check for on the product label is the type of CBD it is. The three most popular being CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, and broad-spectrum. Knowing what these individual terms mean can help you choose the best CBD product for your specific needs.
CBD isolate – CBD isolate is extracted from the hemp plant and then isolated from all other cannabinoids and compounds, including THC. CBD isolate extract is 99% pure, since it contains little to no traces of other components.
Full-spectrum CBD – Full-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, isn’t isolated after being extracted from the hemp plant. That means it contains other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and fatty acids. Full-spectrum CBD does contain THC, which means it may be illegal for use and purchase in some states.
Broad-spectrum CBD – Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum, minus the THC. This type of CBD offers the whole-plant benefits of the full-spectrum variety, without the legal complications or mind-altering effects of THC.
Lab reports provide a deeper layer of insight into the CBD product you’re buying. While some people can’t be bothered to read these highly-scientific documents, they offer a lot of valuable information.
If the company you’re purchasing from doesn’t have lab reports available, this could be a red flag. All reputable companies should have a third-party laboratory test and validate their product.
If you do get your hands on a lab report, check for the following information:
- That the product contains the amount of CBD it claims to
- The report and testing were done recently
- The laboratory performing the tests is reliable
- If any added chemicals or contaminants are present
Contact the company directly if any information on the lab report is confusing or unclear.
3. Consider Your Budget
Price is a deciding factor for most purchases and buying CBD products is no different. Consider how much you’re willing to spend and what type of quality CBD products you can find that fit within your budget. Compare CBD products between sellers to determine which one is the best deal.
Don’t forget to calculate shipping and delivery fees, too. If you notice a large discrepancy in prices between comparable products, find out why. One may be overpriced and the other may not be honest about its quality or potency.
4. Determine the Right Dosage
Similar to medication, CBD products come with different recommended dosages. Many factors go into how much CBD you should take including your sex, age, weight, and experience with using CBD products. It’s important to understand the current dosage fully to make sure you get the desired effects.
CBD capsules and edibles are easiest to regulate since they state exactly how many milligrams of CBD are in each, individual unit.
So, for example, 1 CBD capsule may contain 20 mg of CBD and should be taken every 4-6 hours. Just remember, it takes time for your body to breakdown and digest the CBD so wait several hours to see how you react before upping your dosage.
Determining the dosage for CBD oils and tinctures can be a bit more confusing.
You’ll need to determine how many milligrams (mg) of CBD are in a single dose. To do so, divide the number of millimetres (mL) in the bottle by the number of doses to find out how many milligrams of CBD each dose contains.
Normally, a single dose of CBD oil is calculated as 1mL. If you purchase a 50mL bottle, it would contain 50 servings or doses. The bottle should also tell you how many milligrams of CBD it contains.
For example, if you purchase a CBD product that contains 500 milligrams of CBD oil, you need to figure out how many milligrams are in each 1mL dose. Divide the total CBD content of the bottle (500 milligrams) by the number of servings (50) to determine that each 1mL dose contains 10 milligrams of CBD.
It’s also important to keep in mind that products with a higher CBD concentration are stronger and therefore you can take them less frequently throughout the day for the same effect.
If you’re unsure of the proper dosage, consult a professional before ingesting any CBD.
5. Read Online Reviews
You shouldn’t take anyone’s recommendation when it comes to your own health and safety. But similar to buying other products, start by reading online reviews for the CBD products you’re considering.
Reviews can help you make a better, more informed decision. Search both the brand and the company.
Check out customer reviews to check the user experience. Does the company make a quality product? Were there any unwanted side effects or issues with shipping or receiving the inventory?
Although this shouldn’t be the only determining factor, the truth is as much as 90% of consumers check online reviews before making a purchase.
You can also check brand reviews where companies and professionals review a CBD product or company. These reviews are sometimes more detailed and research-based than customer reviews.
Things to consider are their farming practices, the types of ingredients they use, and lab test results. Finding this information on your own can be time-consuming. You may also be confused by the detailed scientific information. Let professionals break down the information for you.
Knowing how to buy and choose between CBD products helps ensure you have a positive experience. Do your research about both the product itself and the company producing it.
You should also investigate your local laws to guarantee you’re doing things safely and legally.
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