These include those on virtual shelves through online stores like Canzon and physical. Are you traversing the internet or storefront shelves seeking a CBD product? If you are, then you need to be able to understand how to shop for a quality CBD product so you can determine the safest and best product for your needs.
While there are plenty of quality products you can trust online, sometimes you have to do some extra research to ensure the company you are purchasing from is offering high quality and safe CBD products.
If you are seeking a reputable company online, and have no idea where to begin, you should check out the folks over at Canzon. They have a commendable ethos driving the company, and are committed to educating people about the way CBD can be positively used, and not just for profits.
Whether you are looking for a starter CBD oil to begin your journey with cannabinoid therapy, targeted CBD skin therapy, or simply seeking more information, the Canzon team will happily assist.
For most hemp providers, there are two primary concerns.
The first concern is that the plants being grown for the production of the products (for most CBD oils across the USA, this is mostly industrial hemp) do not absorb any harmful heavy metals or other toxic substances from the soil it is growing in.
The second is the plants’ cannabinoid content. The two cannabinoids that receive the most attention are THC and CBD, two cannabinoids that have received plenty of attention in both the media and research labs for their potential health benefits in recent years.
Both these two factors that are extremely important for hemp growers are also the two of the most important factors that consumers should pay attention to.
The diversity of cannabis products is likely to rise as the industry continues along its current expansion path. Some estimates from the Brightfield Group place the cannabis industry at $2.15 billion by 2021, in stark contrast to the value in 2016 of just US$216 million. As the shelves fill up with a diverse range of products, we can expect varying degrees of quality and transparency, as with most industries.
In this article, we intend to help you decode the snake oil from the premium products. Here are the key elements composing a quality cannabis product, and a trustworthy company:
Cannabinoid Content
Depending on what you want to use the CBD product for, whether it is for psoriasis relief or just to boost the endocannabinoid system, you should brush up on your cannabinoid knowledge.
If you want to take advantage of the entourage effect, you will have to look out for a broad or full-spectrum product. But remember, labels can lie, so be sure to read up on the third-party test results.
Why Should You Check THC content?
The THC content is particularly relevant for various reasons, including THC sensitivity, routine drug testing, and issues around legality. In most states, a hemp plant is considered “industrial hemp” as long as it has less than 0.3% THC content.
The majority of U.S states consider cannabis products legal as long as the THC content is less than 0.3% (always check your local laws just to be sure).
If a company is manufacturing products that fall under this ‘gray area,’ then doors for business swing wide open (in contrast to products containing THC).
For this reason, you can see why companies would prefer to label their products as THC free- its good for business. However, you should always check that the batch reports from a third-party lab, just to be sure the company is genuinely selling a THC free product, and not using the label to gain profit.
CBD oil is legal in the U.K. However; the rules are slightly different than the U.S. For a legal CBD oil in the U.K., it needs to have less 0.2% or less THC.
Why Should You Check for Contaminants?
Plants from the cannabis species readily absorb things from their environment, including nutrients but also harmful pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxic substances invisible to the naked eye. And if the hemp plant is exposed to these contaminants, then the end product will carry these as well.
Therefore, a quality brand will batch-test their products using a third party, and they should make these results readily available for consumers to check before they purchase. Also, it would be best if you looked for a company that performs frequent testing on growing plants and on the soil and water the plants are being grown in as well as fed.
These two factors are essential, and consumers should bear them in mind when shopping for cannabis products. To add to these, however, we’ve compiled a shortlist of things to look out for when buying your CBD oil or other cannabis product.
Find out where the hemp was grown
The majority of CBD oils on the market have been produced from hemp. Where the company sources their hemp from is essential. Most of the U.S. products source their hemp from Oregon, Kentucky, Colorado or Europe. Bear in mind that while Europe has strict regulations, they are not subjected to federal testing.
What if the brand does not offer this information? If the product label does not state where the hemp is grown, then check the website. If the information is hard to find, then you should take this as a red flag and perhaps look elsewhere for your hemp products.
Look for Lab Tested and Results that are Easily Attainable
Always read up on the certificate of analysis (COA). This certificate of analysis will provide all the information you will need to see what is inside (or isn’t) the product.
From CBD and THC levels to pesticides and harmful chemicals, a certificate of analysis is your best friend when seeking out a quality CBD product. Not only can you decipher the exact amount of CBD in your product, but you can also find a breakdown of all the cannabinoids and terpenes in the product.
The best type of test results to find are those that are provided through a third party, independent testing facility. This goes a long way towards ensuring that the tests are unbiased and that you are receiving relevant and truthful results.
Again, if the manufacturer fails to provide COA or third party test results, then you are better off looking for greener pastures with another brand or company.
Organic
High-Quality products are synonymous with organic certification. Whether plant or animal, products are always best when organic farming is involved so that they are producing organic food.
And full-spectrum CBD oil and other hemp oil products are no exception. Organic hemp is essential for a quality finished product. Why is this? Well, with certified organic hemp you can be sure that no harmful pesticides or other harmful chemicals were used.
You should also always do your homework and read up on customer reviews. These reviews will tell you how the majority of people find the product and if there are any side effects that are out of the ordinary.
However, customer reviews are not the only thing that will tell you how the product compares with quality and price, but the lab report will also let you know whether you can expect unsavory side effects due to contaminants that may come from inorganic environments.
For someone standing at the precipice looking at cannabis products and CBD oils for the first time, it can be a challenge to sift through the masses and find a safe, quality product. Take a look through the products on offer on our shop, and be sure to reach out to us should you have any questions.
This is a sponsored feature.