It’s nice that you have a lot of choices here in America. But that also means you have varying degrees of quality.
And as a result, you have to learn what makes one version of a product of greater quality than another.
It’s no different with CBD. Thousands of suppliers have gone into business since its legalization, and many more will come to the forefront.
So, what should you look for as you browse CBD products?
Here’s some simple guidelines:
1. Know the Source
With CBD, you basically want to know the process from the time it’s planted to the time it hits the store’s shelf.
As long as your CBD has been grown in the US or Europe, you’re fine. That’s because both regulate growing CBD with thorough guidelines.
One variation to look at closely is how the CBD molecules get dissolved. Usually, ethanol or carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as a solvent.
And you want the carbon dioxide because it takes a higher volume of cannabinoids, which means you get a more effective CBD product.
Carbon dioxide also does not require any additional harmful chemicals to do its work.
2. Understand the Purity of the CBD
Manufacturers should make their production and extraction methods readily available. If they’re not, be suspicious of the company.
With full-spectrum CBD products, you’re supposed to get all of hemp’s compounds and not just the cannabidiol. That also means you will get trace amounts of THC (remember, CBD can have .3% THC or less, according to the 2018 Farm Bill).
Companies use different processes to dilute the THC content. Some processes still retain the quality of the CBD product, while others cause it to lose some potency.
Another potential problem lies in the ratio of THC to CBD.
If you have mild pain, anxiety, and stress, you would benefit from a higher amount of CBD.
If you have higher physical pain or a chronic disease, you’ll likely benefit from an equal ratio of THC to CBD.
The bottom line is that you can’t always trust what the label says on a bottle.
If you want the benefits of the product, you have to do your research or purchase from a professional you trust highly.