While the health benefits of CBD oil have been known for decades by Western doctors, it can still be complex and even somewhat confusing making sense of all the different CBD oils on the market today. With that in mind, here’s a brief list of the top factors that you should know before making a purchase of CBD oil, either online or at a brick-and-mortar retail location.
Factor #1: Source and location of the hemp used to extract the CBD oil
In a best-case scenario, you should be looking for organically grown hemp – and preferably hemp that has been grown locally. Just keep in mind that there is a big difference between “organic” and “certified organic.” If you want to avoid harmful pesticides and herbicides entirely, always look for the “certified organic” label.
Factor #2: Level of THC
In order for CBD oil to be sold legally in the United States, it must contain less than 0.03% THC, which is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. That might sound like an infinitesimally small amount of THC, but to be on the safe side, you should always look for CBD oil that has 0% THC. That’s especially the case if your employer conducts random drug tests, because even trace amounts of THC might appear in these tests.
Factor #3: Concentration of CBD
It’s perhaps a no-brainer that the more CBD in the product, the stronger and more potent it will be. The benchmark concentration of CBD in a product is 250 mg to 1000 mg per fluid ounce. Any amount lower than that means that your CBD oil has been watered down and may not be as effective as hoped.
Factor #4: Safety and quality testing of CBD
In the best of all worlds, you would want your CBD to be tested for safety, quality and potency by a reliable, third party lab. If a label doesn’t indicate that a third party has tested the product, you should assume that it hasn’t been.
Factor #5: Method of CBD extraction
In order to make CBD oils, the CBD has to be first extracted from the hemp plant. This is a slightly more complex process than you might imagine, and so some producers use harsh chemical solvents to speed up the process. You’re much better off looking for a CBD oil manufacturer that uses CO2 extraction, in order to avoid any possible chemical contamination.
Factor #6: Level of customer support
Will someone actually pick up the phone if you have questions about how to use the product? And just how accountable is the company if you need to return the product for any reason? Always make sure that there is some method of contacting the manufacturer if you have any questions. At the very least, try to purchase the product from a trusted, reputable supplier.
Factor #7: Price
When comparing prices of two competing products, be aware that you are often getting what you pay for. If the price of a product seems too good to be true, it probably is. The only way a company can offer a below-market price for CBD oil is if they cut corners in various ways – such as by using cheaper extraction processes, or if they forego third-party testing.
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At the end of the day, CBD oil is still a relatively new market category, and there are plenty of companies out there advertising products with false (or, at least, questionable) claims. The only way to protect you and your family is by reading the label carefully and considering the 7 major factors mentioned above.
Connect with Emylee Thai:
Email: emylee@orionmodern.com
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