3 Things To Look For When Buying A CBD Oil
CBD oil is nothing new; it's been on the market for years. Since then, it's gained quite a following, and for good reason. CBD oil has been used to manage anxiety and depression, treat epilepsy symptoms and opioid addiction, alleviate pain, and more, Forbes states. For those reasons, more retailers have started carrying the substance, hoping to bring relief to the people who need it. However, there are side effects you should consider before taking any sort of CBD product, including dry mouth, reduced appetite, drowsiness, diarrhea, and fatigue, says Mayo Clinic.
As with any ingestible substance, there are several factors to think about before purchasing CBD oil you may not have given thought to. While they may not seem important at first glance, they can significantly affect your usage of this popular product. With that being said, here are three things to look for when buying CBD oil.
It's produced in the U.S.
As much as we love supporting our country, this has more to do with rules and regulations surrounding cannabis production. In 2018, the U.S. created the Farm Bill, which states, "cannabis plants and derivatives that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis are no longer controlled substances under federal law," according to the FDA. Not every country has the same leniency towards cannabis, which is why it's important to purchase from companies in the U.S., specifically those that comply with the bill.
There are talks of updating the 2018 Farm Bill in the upcoming year that would benefit the hemp industry, Forbes states. Hemp production has been on a slow decline within the last three years due to the FDA's stance on CBD products. As of right now, it's refused the legalization of adding CBD to food, drinks, and dietary supplements, which has put a strain on the industry. On the plus side, there's a strong push to raise the THC percentage in regulated CBD products from 0.3% to 1%, which would do wonders for the major players in the hemp world.
It's derived from hemp
When discussing hemp and marijuana, the two are often confused when in fact, they are very different from one another. The key difference between the two substances is their levels of THC, the chemical that gives you that psychoactive high. Hemp has far less THC, which is why you don't experience any psychological effects when consumed. Because of this, more and more countries are lessening their restrictions on CBD oil usage as long as it isn't derived from illegal substances like marijuana.
While the Farm Bill covers CBD oil and other hemp products on a federal level, each state has its own laws regarding consumption, Centr explains. However, anyone in the country can receive CBD products in the mail as long as they don't have more than 0.3% THC and are made from hemp. It's important to remember that hemp laws and marijuana laws are mutually exclusive, so be sure to check with your state's laws before consuming either (orange jumpsuits don't look good on anyone).
It's been tested by a third party
To ensure your safety, it's important to choose a CBD oil that has proof that it's been tested by a third party. Some THC companies do not meet the legal regulations, meaning you could end up with an oil that sends you flying high. So, how do you know which companies have done their homework? Their products will have a COA (certificate of analysis), which indicates it's been tested by a third party that doesn't benefit from sales, says Healthline. To obtain the COA, you can scan the barcode on the oil or go to the company's website.
If the COA isn't available, email the company to make sure there's evidence the CBD oil has been tested. If they refuse or seem sketchy about it, you're better off shopping somewhere else. There are several companies in the industry that would be more than willing to offer you that information (or have it readily available to you).