14 Things to Look for in a CBD Brand

The Importance of Awareness & Education

1. Decide Why You Want to Use CBD

The first thing to consider is what you are trying to achieve with CBD. Are you using it for a physical health issue like inflammation or pain or for an emotional reason, like stress or anxiety? You can get more out of the product when you target a health condition and then monitor results over a few days to a few weeks.

2. Find Out How Much THC in is the Product

Many people using CBD want to avoid any feelings of euphoria or the head-high that THC can produce. CBD products made from hemp may contain up to 0.3% THC while others contain none at all. Those brands that contain no THC should be marked “THC-Free”.

3. Look for Third-Party Lab Reports

Some CBD companies go a step further than obtaining a COA from their product source and hire a third-party lab to run another analysis. They do this to ensure high-quality products that give their customers greater piece of mind.

4. Find Out Where the Hemp Was Grown

The United States has nutrient-rich soil and superior cultivation standards and is considered to be the best geographical location to grow hemp. Hemp is heavily regulated commodity in the U.S., making it likely that hemp-based products are Farm Bill compliant.

5. Find Out How Much CBD is in the Product

Look for brands that show how much CBD or cannabidiol is in the product. Some list only the total amount of “cannabinoids”, but this can include other compounds and not just CBD. It’s also good to know how many milligrams of CBD are in the product.

6. Learn the Differences between CBD Oil and Hemp Oil

Some brands label their products as made from “Hemp Oil”. While there are companies that use that term to mean “CBD Oil”, be sure that the oil isn’t made just from hemp seeds, because it will most likely contain very little CBD.

7. Find Out How the CBD was Extracted

How the oil is extracted from the plant affects the genetic make- up of the final product. Extraction involves applying pressure to the plant which will excrete oils. While some companies use heat and butane, the best practice is to extract by using CO2. This ensures all cannabinoids and terpenes remain intact.

8. Determine if the Product is Full- or Broad-Spectrum or an Isolate

The main difference between full- or broad-spectrum and isolate is how the CBD is extracted. Full-spectrum refers to CBD that is extracted with all other cannabinoids including THC. Broad-spectrum, on the other hand involves extracting CBD and other cannabinoids without any THC. CBD isolate means that CBD is extracted by itself with no other cannabinoids.

9. Find out if the Brand Adds Unnatural Ingredients

Look for ingredient labels including “all-natural”, “organic” and “organically grown”. These ingredients usually mean a premium CBD product. Some brands add flavors to their products which are artificial and can defeat the purpose of taking something with all-natural ingredients.

10. Look for Brands with Adequate Packaging

CBD, when exposed to heat or light for prolonged periods of time, can lose some of its potency and quality. Look for brands that contain CBD in amber, blue or dark colored glass. If they come in a box, that’s even better.

11. Check into the Brand’s Customer Service Support

Brands that stand behind their products should offer excellent customer service and support. In choosing a CBD brand, this may help you make your decision. Customer support should be able to answer your questions and explain the benefits of taking their products.

12. Look for Fairly-Priced Brands

In the CBD market, there are wide variations in price, with some brands being priced low and others high. There are also brands in the middle. Do some research and compare the product to others. Generally speaking, higher-priced brands may offer a higher quality and better health benefits.

13. Look for Brands that Have a 100% Money-Back Guarantee

A company that stands behind their product should offer their customers a 100% money-back guarantee. Look to see if they offer a refund if not satisfied with their product.

14. Avoid Brands Making Dramatic Health Claims

This may be one of the most important things to look for. CBD products are not FDA approved for drug type benefit claims, so no company should be making health claims like “cures headaches, heart disease or cancer”. The more dramatic the claim, the more skeptical the consumer should be.