There are more than 100 phytocannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, but of those CBD is one of the most well known and widely used.
If you are new to looking into CBD products, you might be wondering how you will know you’re getting the right product for your needs or even where to start your search. When searching for your CBD supplier, it’s important to choose a high-quality product. Keep reading to find out what some of the most important questions are to ask your potential CBD manufacturing company.
WHAT IS CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis flower. CBD is one of the two most studied phytocannabinoids, the other being THC which is famous for producing the “high” feeling that cannabis is famous for. CBD, on the other hand, can actually neutralize the “high” feeling that THC can give you!
CBD works by increasing the effects of compounds in our bodies in our endocannabinoid system. These compounds are called endogenous cannabinoids and are very similar to the compounds found in the cannabis plant. Our endocannabinoid system regulates many processes in our body like mood, immune response, stress, and more.
There are many different products and forms of CBD available on the market today. Some of the different kinds of products available are:
Creams
Salves
Tinctures
Edibles
Vape oils
Pet products, like salves and treats
Different forms will have different uses and results, so try several to see what works best for your needs.
WHAT TO ASK YOUR CBD SUPPLIER
Not all CBD suppliers are created equally. As with anything that you put into your body, you should do your research and ensure you are choosing products that will be clean and beneficial to you. Here are some questions to consider asking your CBD supplier.
1. Is your CBD made from industrial hemp or from marijuana?
Many people may not realize that the terms hemp and marijuana are not interchangeable even though they are from the same species of plant.
In the marijuana plant, female plants produce buds that can be used by consumers for both psychoactive and non-psychoactive effects.
In the hemp plant, female plants produce strong fibers that are most often used for commercial purposes and does not have any psychoactive (high producing) effects.
Marijuana can have THC levels that range from 5% to 20%, while hemp oil will only have a maximum of 0.3%, which is the federally legal level.
2. How is your CBD oil extracted?
Ensure that your CBD supplier uses the gold standard in extraction- CO2 extraction. CO2 is a natural compound all around us and has been labeled as safe by the FDA for industrial extraction, which makes it a much better choice than the alternative of something petroleum-based like butane or propane. If a solvent like butane or propane is used and the process is done incorrectly there can be remnants of the solvent left behind in the oil which is toxic.
3. Where is your hemp sourced?
Always choose a CBD manufacturing company that grows its own plants for their products over a CBD supplier that uses industrial hemp waste. Hemp bioaccumulates and absorbs what is used in the soil, so it is important to use a company that has complete control over the growing process.
4. Do your products contain glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a herbicide that has been labeled as probably carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, to humans. Obviously this is not something that you want in your CBD, so be sure to vet your oil suppliers.
5. Do you offer hemp oil or hemp seed oil?
Hemp oil (CBD oil), is made from the whole plant so that it captures the cannabinoids we are after. Hemp seed oil is derived from only the seeds of the plant and has very little therapeutic effect, so it is most often used for cooking. All the products listed on Amazon are hemp oil seed.
6. Can I get high from your CBD oil?
If choosing a CBD extraction company that produces hemp oil, then the answer is no because there is not enough THC present. You can read here to learn more about the difference between CBD and THC.
7. Can I fail a drug test from using your CBD?
As long as you are choosing a CBD oil made from hemp, the answer will be probably not. The answer is not a straight one because it depends on the amount of use and how one’s individual body stores and metabolizes CBD. Again though, because hemp has only 0.3% THC, it is unlikely.
8. Do you have full-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate?
Full-spectrum CBD contains many cannabinoids in addition to CBD. In CBD isolate, the CBD is split and removed from the other cannabinoids until only CBD remains.
9. Do you have third party lab test results available?
Transparency is key here. If your CBD supplier does not have third party testing results or isn’t willing to share them, run away fast! The test results will have information on whether the product is negative for harmful contaminants like pesticides, metals or molds, and information on cannabinoid contents.
THE TAKE-AWAY ON CBD SUPPLIERS
Because CBD is an unregulated market, it is vital to make sure that you are asking the appropriate questions to your CBD supplier so that you end up with a product that has the level of quality and safety that you’re after.
Contact us today to learn more about the different CBD products that we carry and to ask questions about our company and farm.