There is an explosion of new CBD products on the market and selecting the right CBD product can be confusing and downright frustrating. Let’s back up a minute and find out what all the hub bub is about. As of December 20, 2018 the Agriculture Farm Bill (https://www.usda.gov/farmbill) made Hemp and by association, its derivative, CBD (Cannabidiol) legal because it was removed from the list of Schedule 1 substances which are currently controlled by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This one bill created a dearth of commerce opportunities for hemp farmers and enterprising business owners across America. In order to be legal CBD, there must be less than 0.3% THC, which ensures that the CBD is non-intoxicating.
This Farm Bill of 2018 also supports research on Hemp and its derivative products and new research (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6319597/) suggests signs that CBD may be beneficial for a variety of common issues including: anxiety, depression, inflammation, sleep disorders, migraines, joint pain, fibromyalgia, and even some skin conditions including acne and inflammatory skin issues.
So, what is the difference between CBD brands? If you ask the FDA, their concern (and rightly so) is that less than scrupulous hemp farmers and hemp oil extractors and manufacturers may be bottling and mislabeling CBD products such that they do not comply with the 0.3% THC tolerance level. It is critical that consumers do the research and understand where their CBD products are coming from. Reputable CBD businesses will insist on transparency regarding the testing of their products and provide publicly accessible Certificates of Analysis (COA) for every lot or batch of product they make. In addition, the lab providing the analysis must be an approved, certified, independent third-party entity that conducts high-quality, accurate testing for concentrations of THC, CBD, molds, bacteria, pesticides and other ingredients. Ask your CBD brand what they do if their products do not pass the THC tolerance level or their CBD concentration is less than what is promised on the label. A good CBD brand should have a strict quality control process implemented that handles rejected batches or lots. Does the CBD brand also provide mold and bacterial testing?
CBD oil and hemp derivatives may hold a lot of promise for helping improve health and wellness without intoxicating and addictive impacts. It is important that consumers become educated on its benefits, but your education doesn’t stop there — understanding how CBD products are manufactured and monitored to keep you safe is also equally as critical when selecting CBD products you can trust.
