6 Tips In Identifying High Quality Hemp Oil

Know the hemp-related vocabulary

Since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill made the selling of hemp-derived products legal within the United States, the market for hemp derivatives has grown to jaw-dropping proportions.

The industrial hemp market is set to reach over USD$26 billion by 2025, while the CBD market is on the way to USD$23 billion in the same year. 

Chances are that you’ve already heard of CBD hemp oil products.  This is because you can find them everywhere–from dispensaries to online boutiques and even gas stations, packaged as edibles, tinctures, and even pet treats.

It’s also used to treat conditions from anxiety and chronic pain to insomnia. 

In this flurry of economic activity, there’s bound to be a couple of subpar products trying to covet some of the profit to be had.  As the market is still relatively new, CBD hemp oil products are sold as supplements and are not FDA approved or regulated.

While Broad-Spectrum CBD Hemp Oil is generally considered safe.  When you’re looking for the right CBD product, it can be difficult to tell the good from the bad.

That being said, here’s your guide to identifying high-quality hemp oil. 

1. Know The Lingo

First, it’s helpful to know some hemp-related vocabulary. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. While it’s found in psychoactive marijuana (along with THC), most CBD products are derived from agricultural hemp.

Instead of getting you high, CBD interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to regulate natural rhythms and the functioning of the immune and nervous system. 

CBD products come in a number of shapes and sizes, and different terms refer to different chemical compositions of the product. In fact, with all these different names, it can be difficult to tell what hemp-derived products you’re actually buying. 

Here are some terms you’re likely to run across while shopping:

• Full Spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds found in the cannabis plant, including terpenes and flavonoids (natural compounds with their own benefits and antioxidant properties) as well as THC. For the product to be federally legal, however, the THC content should be below 0.3%. 

• Broad Spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds of the cannabis plant, apart from THC. 

• CBD Isolate contains just CBD and none of the other compounds that are found in cannabis. 

• Hemp oil or Hemp seed oil: You may also see CBD products referred to as Hemp Oil or CBD Hemp Oil, due to legality, which should not be confused with hemp seed oil. 

While hemp seed oil is a potent moisturizer and has plenty of its own health benefits, it doesn’t contain CBD.  

2. Know The Law

As of 2018, CBD hemp oil products are federally legal, but local legality and law enforcement may differ considerably. Areas that have legalized medical marijuana may offer CBD products at medical dispensaries, while areas that have fully legalized marijuana for recreational use may also sell CBD products with a higher concentration of THC. 

Many CBD products are sold online, so make sure the product you’re purchasing aligns with your area’s hemp and cannabis restrictions. 

3. Ask An Expert

CBD products are generally considered safe. Side effects tend to be mild and may include changes in sleep patterns and appetite or diarrhea. However, CBD can potentially interfere with some medications, so make sure to talk to your doctor before you begin taking any CBD products. A medical professional who knows your personal medical history can advise about combining CBD and medications. 

If your question has to do with quality, you may be able to consult a local dispensary or smoke shop, assuming they exist in your area. The staff at such establishments have a lot of insight into the products they sell, and many will be able to recommend a high-quality brand of CBD hemp oil to use. 

4. Check The Label

While there’s no guarantee that the information on the label will be 100% accurate, generally, you’ll be able to spot some key things on a product’s label. 

First, make sure the product contains CBD (it may be listed as hemp extract for legal purposes). Second, check for any possible allergens. Many CBD oils are tinctures that contain CBD in a carrier oil. Popular carrier oil choices are coconut and hemp oil, but checking the ingredients can help ensure there’s nothing hidden in there that you might be allergic to. 

Labels will also likely tell you the concentration of the compound found in your CBD hemp oil purchase. Again, ensure that the THC content level is below the legal 0.3% limit. Labels will also tell you if the CBD product is organic or if it contains any potentially harmful pesticides. 

5. Check The Source

Where the hemp was grown can have a profound impact on the quality of the product you’re buying. Hemp is a hyperaccumulator, which means it absorbs any toxins present in the soil in which it’s grown. 

Organic hemp grown in food-quality conditions is the best option–with quality growers working in Europe and the United States, most notably Colorado, Scandinavian countries, Germany, the Netherlands, and Kentucky. You should also be able to note what variety of cannabis the CBD product is derived from. 

6. Look For A COA

Because CBD products are not FDA regulated, testing by third-party labs is not required. Reputable CBD companies, however, pay independent labs, upwards of six figures, to test the quality and safety of their product. 

If you see that a CBD hemp oil product you’re purchasing has a Certificate of Analysis (COA), you can be assured that the product is everything it claims to be. By briefly consulting a products’ COA, you’ll know its contents, concentrations, and potential impurities. 

Tips For Success

With the immense range of CBD and hemp products on the market today, shopping for a high-quality one can be a real challenge. To ensure you’re getting what you’re paying for, make sure to consult these key tips before making any CBD-related purchase. 

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