Inside: How to Choose a Reliable CBD Store. Collaborative post.
There is no denying that the CBD market is utterly saturated. It seems as if a new brand springs up every single day. With no proper regulatory authority, it is disturbingly easy to create a CBD company, take customers’ money, and disappear into the night. Alternatively, especially brazen con artists can stick around for a while, selling products that contain little cannabidiol!
While the price of CBD products has dropped significantly in recent times, they aren’t necessarily cheap. Also, as well as losing money if you buy a low-quality item, there’s a possibility of damaging your health if the seller allows harmful chemicals and heavy metals to remain in their CBD oil.
A few brands, like Moonwlkr, have gained a reputation for excellence in the industry. However, it isn’t always easy to uncover such companies. This article shows you how to choose a CBD store worthy of your time and money.
Look For Updated Certificates of Analysis
Remember, the CBD industry is poorly regulated, so customers must perform due diligence before making a purchase. One of the most important aspects of your investigation is determining whether a CBD store offers certificates of analysis (COAs) with their products.
When choosing a CBD store online, go for brands that make it easy for you to see its COAs. Ideally, the website will have a specific COA page or include these third-party lab reports with each product. It is a massive red flag if a company doesn’t have COAs or refuses to send you one.
COAs should include information on cannabinoid, pesticide, heavy metal, and microbial content. Some brands only include a cannabinoid panel, which is highly concerning and indicates a lack of transparency. If you use CBD without a COA, there’s no telling what’s really inside.
Research indicates that mislabeling is rampant within the CBD industry. A shockingly high percentage of CBD products contain excessive THC or a level of cannabidiol far removed from what is indicated on the label. Without COAs, you have no idea what you’re putting into your body.
Also, check out the third-party lab responsible for the testing to ensure it is legitimate. It is easy for fraud companies to invent fake labs and stick them on sham COAs.
Only Buy CBD Oil with Minimal Ingredients
Your next mission when looking to choose a CBD store is to analyze the list of ingredients, particularly in CBD oil. While products such as gummies often have myriad additional ingredients, CBD oil should contain relatively few ‘extras.’
In reality, high-quality CBD oil consists of hemp-derived cannabidiol, a carrier oil such as MCT oil, and possibly natural flavors; that should be it! Beware of any CBD product with artificial coloring or flavoring, as such ingredients are unnecessary.
You can buy isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum CBD products. While CBD isolate generally contains nothing but cannabidiol (some brands add terpenes), the other options should have a multitude of terpenes and additional cannabinoids, including CBC, CBDV, and CBG.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains no THC, while full-spectrum products should contain a maximum of 0.3% THC. Once again, check the COA to ensure the THC content is below this limit.
Know The Hemp Source & Extraction Method
No guide on how to choose a CBD store is complete without mentioning the hemp source and form of extraction. Simply put, you want CBD sourced from hemp grown in the United States or the European Union.
Hemp is a phytoremediation crop; this means it helps clean the soil. If a company uses hemp planted in toxic soil, the plant will absorb the toxins, which end up in the CBD product. You need to ensure that the hemp is cultivated using responsible farming practices.
Furthermore, you are best served to stick with CO2-extracted CBD products. This extraction form ensures a cleaner end product than other methods. Plenty of reputable brands use ethanol extraction and ensure the residual solvent is eliminated. Nonetheless, CO2 extraction is superior because it is non-toxic, with no concerns about ethanol or butane ending up in your CBD oil.
Final Thoughts on How to Choose a CBD Store
Unfortunately, finding high-quality CBD isn’t quite as straightforward as one would hope. The process involves looking for certificates of analysis, ensuring that there aren’t harmful ingredients in the products, checking the hemp source, and analyzing the extraction method.
This is why you should narrow your search and focus on companies such as Moonwlkr, one of the small percentage of CBD brands known for providing high-quality, safe cannabidiol to its customers.