The CBD industry has exploded over the past few years, with new brands seemingly launching every week to capitalize on the growing demand. With so many brands and products available on the market, consumers may find it hard to know what to look for when they’re shopping and how they can be sure they’re getting a quality product. These are some of the most important things to look out for when examining CBD labels and why they matter, and general tips on how to make sure you’re buying quality products that will give you the benefits you want out of your CBD use.
THC/CBD content
THC is the compound that makes people feel high after smoking or consuming marijuana. However, legal CBD products must be made with CBD derived from hemp because the plant is naturally low in THC. CBD products must contain no more than 0.3% THC by weight to meet legal requirements. It's important to note that CBD products containing THC have such a low dosage that the amount won’t create any impactful or noticeable effects. When reading a CBD product's label, it's important to first note how much THC or pure CBD it contains. This information is usually included in milligrams (mg). It refers to a substance called delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, found in marijuana. For example, if it says 8 mg THC/3 mg CBD, there are 8 milligrams of THC and 3 milligrams of CBD in each serving. If you're concerned about these levels, ask your doctor before trying CBD.
Full Spectrum/Isolate
Full spectrum or isolate? That is the question. Full spectrum product contains CBD in all its naturally occurring forms, and trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%). This kind of product is also good for allergy sufferers because hemp and marijuana are sometimes allergens—and a full spectrum product makes it easy to ensure that you won’t be getting any unwanted side effects. Isolate products contain just CBD. They generally offer several options: pure CBD; pure THC; blended. If unsure which option will work best for your needs, talk with your doctor or another medical professional before purchasing. The bottom line: No matter what type of product you choose (for anxiety or another condition), using organic ingredients whenever possible is always recommended.
The Importance of 3rd Party Testing
People are becoming increasingly aware of their health and what they put into their bodies. Because of that, consumers want to make sure that they’re getting high-quality products and will only purchase items with verified results. That’s why it’s important for all products containing CBD to undergo independent, third-party testing. These tests ensure that you know exactly what you’re buying and using every time. These kinds of tests have become industry standards to give consumers confidence when purchasing any product containing CBD; without them, there would be no way to tell if your CBD oil is top quality or even pure at all! Any brand that has an accessible certificate of analysis (COA) is likely one that you can trust for a quality product. A COA provides all of the in-depth information about a product, including CBD, THC, and other ingredients.
Extraction Processes
There are numerous different methods of extracting CBD from industrial hemp. The extraction method determines how many cannabinoids are in the final product. Different methods include: CO2 extraction, ethanol extraction, and olive oil extraction. While these may all sound similar at first glance, they produce extremely different results. For example, while CO2 extraction is safe and simple, it requires a lot of time. On top of that, it yields a lower amount of cannabinoids than other extraction processes. On the other hand, Ethanol is cheap and fast but yields low-quality end products. When buying CBD products, you want to find a company that uses CO2 extraction. This process doesn’t use any harmful chemicals. Overall, avoid companies that use solvent extraction, which are often done using ethanol, butane, or acetone.
Product Origin
American and European-grown hemp is more likely to be of higher quality. Hemp grown in these two parts of the world is also safer for consumption, as plants are grown without pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals. Much of the world's hemp is grown and farmed in China. While overseas hemp is ideal for use in other applications, such as textiles, the growing standards are much more lax when compared to those in the U.S. and Europe. You may also want to consider choosing a company that sources its hemp from a state where recreational cannabis is legal. These states often have stricter growing and farming standards, which means safer, better CBD. Luckily, Verma Farms guarantees that all our gummies, oils, and topicals come from unadulterated hemp grown in US soil, featuring only the freshest, most trusted ingredients.
