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Please note: CBD oil and it’s varying formularies are legal in a number of states in the US and in some international locations. Please check the laws in your state or region before making a purchase. This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. If you have any health concern, see a licensed health care professional in person.
We live in a time of buying just about anything online. With distributors like Amazon, just about everything seems to be available at our fingertips. But is that the case for CBD products? Sure, we see them sold online, even places like Amazon, but what does that mean about the product you are buying? Let’s break down what you should look for when purchasing a CBD product online, for legality and quality purposes alike.
CBD Oil vs Hemp Oil
First, let’s begin by defining the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil. Cannabis itself is a flowering plant, traditionally known for its high THC content which gives a psychoactive effect. Alternately, hemp is the industrial grown version, typically cultivated for its seeds and fiber. Hemp must legally contain below 0.3% THC so it stays below the threshold of psychoactivity.
In short, it is legal to buy CBD online, but you will want to check on the manufacturing process as well as all the label descriptions to be sure of what you are purchasing. The process in which a CBD product is derived can impact the potency and quality. If CBD is created from a traditional cannabis plant and tests above 0.3% then it is technically not federally legal, but most regulation falls onto states.
Following the 2018 Farm Bill, industrial hemp was defined as an agricultural commodity. Further, the DEA has gone on to clarify that if CBD products are derived from a non-psychoactive part of a marijuana plant, then you are not consuming a controlled substance. If you are purchasing CBD from a company backed by third-party lab test results, you can ensure the quality and legality of your purchase.
Where Is The Right Place To Buy?
Because CBD is so readily available for purchase, just about anywhere it seems, knowing the product you are trying to buy is the only way to go. Shop directly through a CBD manufacturer to ensure your purchase. When it comes to CBD, knowing how to choose good products over the bad isn’t always common knowledge. There are many companies on the market that unfortunately falsely advertise high-quality products that are sub-par. Awareness and education are key to buying CBD.
The first step in your purchase process should be checking on third-party tested lab results. If a CBD has been tested, lab reports should be available to confirm all label claims. Many labs have their own platform for comparing test results, but companies that are the real deal should have some lab-test results on their site as well. If lab results can’t be found, it could mean a few things. Perhaps the lab results revealed the CBD product did not meet label statements or industry standards. Double-check for pesticides and solvents as well as CBD and THC potency.
The biggest thing to check to confirm CBD purchase legality is the THC content present. Depending on the state, the maximum THC allowed is 0.3% or less. If you live in a state where THC is legal and you are okay with the possibility of psychoactive effects, a full-spectrum CBD product could be good for you. However, if you are seeking solely the benefits of CBD, a lab-tested product that confirms to be a CBD isolate (CBD was extracted from the hemp plant, then isolated from other cannabinoids) is what you are looking for.
Overall, knowing where and what you are buying seems common sense, but sometimes is overlooked with CBD. Base your purchase off facts, like the results of an independent lab over customer reviews or company claims. Buying CBD online is legal and ever-growing, if you do your research and find the best place to purchase, there are a ton of options for you.
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This content is sponsored by Arslan Riaz.
Photo: Shutterstock