How to Find Quality CBD Products

Choosing the type of CBD and the consumption method are the first things you should consider when starting with CBD, but the quality of CBD is also important. Recognizing a high-quality CBD provider ensures you achieve desired results. So, what should you look for?

How to Find Quality CBD Products

Extraction Method

Since CBD is a young, emerging industry, there are no regulations that control the manufacturing process yet so CBD brands may use various methods to create their products. This is important because there are two extraction methods that are considered the safest and produce the highest quality end product: ethanol extraction and CO2 extraction.

Ethanol extraction is considered by many professionals to be the most effective form of extraction since it retains the highest amount of natural cannabinoids. CO2 extraction uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and extreme cold to extract CBD from the hemp plant. This involves complex equipment, but ensures purity throughout the processing. When shopping for a trusted CBD brand, research their extraction methods. Not only are these methods optimal, it’s very expensive and complicated to invest in this equipment so you know that brands using these extraction methods care about the end product.

Source of Hemp

Starting with quality ingredients will render a quality product. Even if the best extraction methods were used, if the quality of the hemp is poor that will be reflected in the CBD. Hemp is especially sensitive to environmental factors like heavy metals so soil is an important element in growing hemp. It’s possible for hemp grown in unsatisfactory conditions to ultimately create a low-quality CBD product.

The source of hemp is also an important factor. Farming hemp is a new trade in the United States because growing hemp was illegal until 2018. If it’s important to you to support American farmers and a new, emerging industry, make sure the hemp used in a brand’s CBD products was grown in the United States.

Third Party Lab Results

Arguably, the most important thing to look for when choosing a CBD product is the validity of its composition. A high-quality CBD brand will always have 3rd party lab results, called Certificate of Analysis (COAs), available to consumers. COAs are completed by independent laboratories with the purpose of ensuring the product is what it claims to be. The labs will look for levels of CBD, levels of TCH (legally must be under .03%), and impurities that could be harmful to the consumer. Usually, COAs are easy to find on a brand’s website, but their customer service team should be available for COA requests. If there is any friction with trying to obtain these, stay far away from that brand!

Transparency

As stated above, CBD brands should always be transparent with consumers about their products and business practices. Because the CBD industry is a new market, extraction companies and CBD brands are trying to gain legitimacy and positive reputations from the public. Disreputable CBD companies with inferior products make this initiative even harder. That's why transparency and clear communication is a necessity from any CBD brand. You should feel comfortable with purchasing their products and they should be working towards validating the industry with high-quality products and prudent business practices.

Should You Mix CBD Products?

Each CBD product - oil, edibles, and topicals - all provide different ways to enjoy CBD. So, the question comes up: should I mix these types of products in my routine? Yes! Each of these products are great for different scenarios so they should be mixed depending on what you need it for. That being said, keep in mind each product delivers CBD at different rates. For example, it will take longer to feel the effects of gummies compared to oil. Sometimes consumers will take a gummy and think it’s not working because of the slow CBD release. Then, take oil or a different CBD product. While taking too much CBD isn’t an issue, it’s a waste of product to take both under the impression gummies are not working. The best advice is to tailor your CBD product to your daily routine. Feel free to mix and match products at different points of the day, depending on what you need in the moment.