CBD Oil Buyer’s Guide 2019: Top 10 Cannabidiol Supplement Questions To Ask

CBD oil, short for cannabidiol oil is growing in popularity, courtesy of its huge benefits, and the legalization of marijuana/cannabis in many states.

Most cannabinoids contain a mixture of CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the chemical that gets you high, while CBD doesn’t. As a result, more people are opting for CBD largely because of its very potent, but non-high properties.

CBD oil’s benefits have been tied to pain relief, epilepsy relief, and even functions as a great anti-depressant. There are some clinical cancer trials –very few- where the merits of CBD oil have been proven as an effective anticancer agent.

Because of its popularity, and benefits, many people are beginning to look for it, but have no idea of what to look for when they want to go shopping for it. That, and the many brands can make the experience quite confusing for anyone who has no idea about it.

That’s why we created this article for you –a brief guide introducing you to everything you should know about this amazing oil before you go shopping.

Before we go on, it is important to take note of a few key things when you’re going shopping. Pay attention to the concentration, volume of CBD oil in the product, concentration and purity. These are key things in any CBD oil and will to a large extent, determine the effectiveness of the oil.

Key Questions to Determine Effectiveness of CBD oil

Origins of the Hemp and its Contents

Hemp is different from many plants in the sense that it’s a bioaccumulator. That means it absorbs all sorts of minerals, nutrients and properties from the soil, air, water and environment around it.

That means if the soil or water are contaminated, your cannabis oil will be tainted too. This is why you must pay attention to where the hemp that was used to make your intended CBD oil was grown.

Make sure that these claims are verifiable too. Most legit CBD oil vendors will not hesitate to tell you where they were planted and grown as well as show you its chemical composition.

The last thing you want is a CBD oil that contains heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides. These are dangerous for your health and may further worsen any health condition you’re buying it for.

Herbicides and pesticides for instance have been linked to cancers like Multiple Myeloma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Soft Tissue Sarcoma and Leukemia among many others. You want to get away from all these ailments, not get them.

So, make sure that when you buy CBD oils, they are from verifiable sources and origins. As a rule, look for those that are organically grown locally here in the US, and only deal with a vendor who is willing to provide you with that information.

The Quantity of THC in the CBD Oil

The best CBD oil would be that with zero THC oil. Apart from its psychedelic properties, THC also shows up in urine and blood samples. If you take CBD oil with high THC oil volume and are subjected to random drug testing at the office, guess what’ll happen?

You’ll test positive for these drugs. And since employers typically frown upon illicit drug substances, you want to make sure that you only have trace amounts of THC at most. As a rule, the less the better.

Look for those with less than 0.03 percent THC. If it’s zero, even better. Just makes sure it’s from a certified vendor. The good news though, is just look for reputable sellers. Theirs are often THC free and organically grown. So, you can’t go wrong with those.

Best Concentration of CBD Oil

The third thing you want to look for is how much CBD oil is in the product you intend to buy. This is important seeing as CBD oil’s concentration can be tampered with, resulting in a less potent product.

Of course, vendors who dilute their CBD oils do so to maximize profit. They’ll even sell them as 100 percent pure. This is why you must only buy CBD oil from reputable sellers with a good history.

Apart from making sure you’re getting what you actually paid for, a high concentration CBD oil is more potent and lasts longer, thus reducing the need for you to take or buy more frequently. High concentration CBD oils are great money savers.

So, what’s the best concentration? Look for products with 250mg to 1,000mg per ounce of fluid (Oz). So, if you were to buy a 3 Oz bottle containing a mere 300mg, that would come to 100mg per ounce. That’s not potent enough. So, ideally, a 250mg per ounce bottle for 3Oz bottle would actually have 750mg of CBD oil at least.

You Can Carry Out Independent Testing

We know this sounds like a lot of work, but you only have to do it once, and you’re home free. Many sellers will tell you their CBD oil is the best; that it’s pure and highly potent.

The only way to verify their claims is to buy a small sample, take it to an independent testing center or lab, and have it tested for its purity and potency. Good labs are always clean and sterile. Make sure yours is before paying for the test.

What are the Extraction Techniques and Methods?

How the oil is extracted from the plant is just as important when you’re looking for the perfect CBD oil. CBD oil extraction is a complex process and one that requires some specialized equipments.

The best proven way to extract CBD oil from hemp is through the use of CO2 (carbondioxide). This is applied under high pressure and low temps, and designed to extract the best possible amounts of high quality and pure CBD oil.

CBD oil requires the pressure to stay solvent instead of evaporating like it does once it’s no longer under any pressure. So, look for bottles with CO2 extraction clearly labelled on its body.

Can You Reach the Company?

This is an extension of buying from a reputable seller. The company selling the oil should be physically verifiable and traceable.

If you cannot find them or speak with someone at the other end, walk away, for all you know, they may be selling you extra virgin olive oil disguised as CBD oil. Many companies are in the habit of using the internet as a cloak.

Unfortunately, many unsuspecting CBD oil buyers have bought substandard and low quality CBD oils from the unscrupulous individuals. These are the companies that give the CBD oil industry a bad name with their sharp practices. Look for information on their management, farms, sources and a physical address.

If you cannot verify or prove it, walk away and look for another CBD oil seller that is transparent. You wouldn’t buy drugs from an unverified and unknown maker, would you?

So, take that same approach when you’re buying CBD oil. Transparent companies sell their CBD oils legally and are often incorporated. Make sure your intended company is, too.

Check and Verify Their Claims

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly prohibits the use of medical claims for any food related items. CBD oils are categorized as food related items and shouldn’t be advertised as capable of treating ay medical condition.

Yes, it does have some of those medicinal properties, but as far as the FDA is concerned, it does not. So, lookout for companies that make medical related claims about their CBD oil. No matter how true their claims may be, they are in direct contravention of FDA rules and guidelines.

Just walk away and look for those who don’t make these claims. Most times, reputable companies won’t make any medical claims because they’re operating within the ambit of the law.

Expensive is Probably Better

You know how they say the best things in life are free or cheap? Well, it doesn’t apply to CBD oil. The best CBD oils that money can buy are quite expensive. This is not surprising seeing as CBD oil extraction techniques are quite steep and costly.

They’re usually grown in the US, extracted with CO2, tested in high end labs, and lacking in any heavy metals, pesticides or herbicides. So, if it costs a lot to produce, you can be sure that the cost price will be too.

As much as possible, avoid cheap CBD oils, even though they are quite attractive. They are usually diluted, contain dangerous chemicals, and aren’t from the best sources. Pricier CBD oils tend to be of higher quality and purity, as well as have great potency. They also give you great value for your money.