What to Check before Buying CBD?
What defines quality CBD, and what makes a high-quality product? As much as you would like to have a simple answer to this, there are many factors that comprise a quality CBD product, and buying a poor-quality product could produce adverse side effects that are far from the positive effects of CBD that you are looking for.
The CBD hype is real, and it can be overwhelming when shopping for CBD sifting through the increasing amount of cannabis oil and other hemp plant-derived products. There are a few critical things to check before purchasing any CBD product, which are:
- Source of hemp or cannabis plant matter (you should be looking for organic hemp)
- Extraction Methods
- Is the hemp cold-pressed?
- Third-Party Lab Test Reports (Lab reports are your best aids when selecting CBD products)
- Amount of CBD, amount of THC and other cannabinoids or terpenes
- Type of CBD: CBD Isolate, Full Spectrum, or Broad Spectrum
- CBD price (hint: cheaper is not always better, and high concentration products may seem like a considerable initial expense, they could save you money in the long run)
There are other elements that should raise red flags, and we will be getting into these as well in this article.
Let's begin with the first point: the Source of the Hemp? Why is it important to know where and how hemp is cultivated? Well, most CBD products are made from hemp, and therefore the quality of the CBD product is directly related to the quality of the hemp where it comes from.
The best and trusted companies, like Canzon CBD, maintain a transparent relationship with their hemp providers to ensure they use only the highest quality hemp. Other companies who are seeking easy profits will cut costs and source hemp in the cheapest way possible by purchasing CBD isolate in bulk, usually from wholesalers, and neither parties have any idea where the hemp was grown, or how.
Companies could also make claims about their hemp being organic or where it comes from. It is essential to know how to validate these claims so that you are sure about the quality and, therefore, the safety of your hemp products. The safety and purity of the product can usually be confirmed through third-party test reports, but we will get to that a little later.
The Source
The hemp and CBD industry is evolving, and thankfully, so are the quality standards. You can find products that source their hemp from all over the world, including the US, China, and Europe. The USA has recently launched pilot programs for hemp cultivation in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Colorado. Hemp grown in states a part of the pilot program needs to comply with stringent quality control.
As for cultivation practices, it is essential that a few key practices are observed:
- Proper PH balanced soil
- Accredited seed collectives are used
- No pesticides, GMOs or harmful chemicals
It is a positive sign if the company is knowledgeable and open about this information. The best-case scenario is when the company is fully involved in the process from seed, throughout cultivation, and the production process right to the finished product.
Extraction Methods
There are a variety of methods that can be used for extracting CBD. The CO2 process is the best and is known as the industry standard for safe and pure products. As the name suggests, The CO2 method utilizes pressurized CO2 to extract the desired compounds. The extractions are then compressed into a supercritical cold liquid state, without causing contamination of the CBD or other extracted compounds.
Third-Party Lab Test Reports
Third-party lab test results should be readily available on a company's website. If no lab report is offered then you cannot confirm that the product is indeed safe and free of harmful chemicals. What's more, the lab results will also help you to confirm the cannabinoid content, including THC and CBD levels.
These reports will help you to see whether the hemp was cultivated in clean soil, free of harmful chemicals and pesticides.
Canzon source their CBD from industrial organic hemp, and use a third-party lab to test the products to ensure quality, purity, and safety.
Certificate of Analysis
In this lab report, you should look out for a valid certificate of analysis. The following are earmarks of an astute and trustworthy lab report and product:
- Accreditation in accordance with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) or with ILAC.
- Regular and updated testing. Keep an eye out for batch testing.
- Check that the cannabinoid content matches what is being marketed.
The last point brings us to the next section, the cannabinoid content.
Cannabinoid and Terpene Profiles
Firstly, if you are looking for a CBD oil without THC, then you should look for products with equal to or less than o.3% THC.
If you are sensitive to THC, in an area where THC is illegal, or if you have to undergo testing for sports or your profession.
Some CBD oils contain an assortment of naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes. Other oils contain only CBD. But this brings us to the next point, where we will understand the difference between CBD Isolate, Broad spectrum, and Full Spectrum.
Isolates, Broad Spectrum and Full Spectrum
The choice between CBD Isolate, Broad Spectrum, and Full Spectrum is often the first one you will be faced with when you go shopping for CBD oil online or at a dispensary.
What is CBD Isolate?
CBD isolate is when CBD has been extracted from the cannabis plant, and then it underwent further purification so that all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids have been removed.
Full Spectrum CBD
This is CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis plant, and all the naturally occurring compounds (including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids). A full spectrum product can still contain less than 0.3% as long as it has been extracted from hemp products.
Broad Spectrum CBD
This is CBD that is a mix of isolate and full spectrum. The main difference is that the Broad Spectrum CBD is the same as Full Spectrum CBD, except it does not have any THC.
If you are looking for a CBD oil that contains all the benefits attributed to the entourage effect, but you do not want THC at all, then your best bet is to find a broad-spectrum product. You could also try a full spectrum product sourced from hemp, and then to check the lab reports to ensure that the cannabinoid content matches what the label states.
CBD price
If you have browsed through the variety of CBD brands, you would have noticed that there is quite a large discrepancy in pricing.
From $10 to $500, there is a CBD oil that carries any type of price tag, making it difficult to decipher what a quality CBD product should be priced at. Ideally, you want to get value for your money, but be wary of the cheapest products. Products priced at the bottom of the price tag are not always the soundest decision, but that doesn't mean that the most expensive products are the best, either.
So, how do you know if the CBD oil is priced fairly?
We are here to help. There are plenty of CBD companies that offer quality CBD products at competitive pricing, like the products you can find over at the Canzon online store.
There are a few key questions to ask when considering the price point:
How does the price compare to other products in the same league?
If the price is much lower or higher than other similar products, you should do a bit of research to find out why. Often, important things in the manufacturing and production process are shirked so that the cost of production is cut down. This can increase the chances of having a contaminated product.
Is the High Price Justified?
In order to answer this question, we need to consider what could cause a higher price:
- Premium hemp and other premium ingredients are used
- Special features usually found in product design
- The company is known throughout the industry as offering premium products.
- If the company is just using its reputation to increase the price of their products to exorbitant amounts, without anything to show for it, then don't bother.
If, however, the company's pricing and product are justified, then enjoy it- if you can afford it.
However, while we may be quite clear on steering clear of products priced way below the average price range, there is a variety of quality products that are competitively priced. By taking the above tips into mind, you could find a quality CBD oil at a reasonable price.
If you are seeking out a CBD product and the lab reports or other important bits of information are not clearly displayed, then feel free to reach out to the company. Do not be afraid to ask questions, as it is essential that you find a CBD oil that is free of harmful chemicals or that contains the advertised cannabinoids.
The World Health Organization has declared CBD to be a safe and non-addictive substance. Although there can be undesirable side effects if the product is contaminated with pesticides, solvents, or other chemicals, this is why it is essential to check the lab reports and ensure that your product is safe and pure.
If you are looking for CBD quality that you can rely on, browse through the shop over at Canzon and find the right CBD product that suits both your budget and your needs. You can contact with Canzon’s customer support team and they will be happy to assist you.