There have been a hand full of cases of CBD oil producers mislabelling their products, with one study[1] estimating that almost 70% of all CBD products sold online are mislabelled. This issues means that the effect of the oil may be different and this could undercut the possible medicinal and therapeutic benefits of CBD. The aim of this article is to high light what to look out for when researching and buying CBD products. Mislabelling can cover everything from spelling mistakes, errors in ingredients and nutritional value to over promotion of what the product can actually do and the products medical legitimacy.
CBD, or Cannabidiol, is one of the most common chemical compounds found within the cannabis plant. In recent years it has increased in popularity as part of an alternative treatment for many illnesses due to it’s anti-inflammatory[2] and analgesic properties (among others).
Was CBD Oil lab tested?
The first thing to research about the product you have chosen is if it undergoes any kind of quality control. If you are buying CBD as part of a treatment for an illness then you want to make sure you are taking the best. Most producers, who have nothing to hide, will have a section of their website that explains their laboratory procedures. Each batch of oil can differ greatly so it is important that every one is tested for quality and purity. It is better if this is done by an external group as it avoids a conflict of interests.
What is the percentage of CBD?
It could be assumed that anything saying ‘CBD’ probably contains cannabidiol, however that is not always the case. In 2015 the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested 24 products from different producers that were advertised as containing CBD[3]. They found that only 2 of these actually contained the percentage written on the bottle, the rest were either severely lacking in CBD or had none.
For example, one product label claimed that the bottle contained 21% CBD when in actual fact they found no trace of any cannabinoids within the oil. One way of finding out if the oil you have chosen has any CBD inside is by requesting the lab test results. Any producer who is sure of their product will happily publish this on their website anyway, or send it to you upon request.
Where does it come frome?
Each producer will have their preference for the source of CBD. Some take it from hemp flowers, some from marijuana. Regardless of this it is important to know that it is organic and non-GMO. As well as this, the plant should be grown without pesticides, herbicides, artificial fertilizers, or any other artificial or harmful chemicals. If the product claims to be 100% organic it should come up clean for toxins in purity tests.
How was it extracted?
Extraction is the name given to the process of taking the CBD compounds out of the flower. This can be done in a few ways, with butane (BHO), hexane, propane or other hydrocarbons. The issue with using these harmful chemicals is that if the extracted CBD is not cleaned it leaves traces of the chemicals in the oil which can be harmful to the body. The cleanest extractions are done with ethanol, and even cleaner is with organic ethanol. Look out for this on the website or in the product description and always go for the cleanest option.
Don’t believe everything they tell you
Many CBD producers make outrageous claims regarding their oils. It is a great marketing technique to advertise the ‘miracle cure’ or that the oil will ‘make the cancer commit suicide’ as it entices in customers looking for a cure. There is no scientific evidence that CBD cures any diseases, but the majority of the research done so far shows that it has the potential to remedy the symptoms of many illnesses and can better the patients quality of life. Any products claiming they are the cure are perfect examples of false advertising and marketing tactics.
One last point to add is that the cheapest is not always the best. The whole process (cultivation, extraction and purification) needs to be done properly and a better quality product will come at a price.
Compare CBD Products
One of the best tips when it comes to buying CBD oil is to make comparisons. Compare between different suppliers, brands and companies that market it to choose the highest quality and the product which is best suited to your needs. To do this, you will find this CBD oil comparer very useful. With this comparer you can choose the oil while taking into account factors such as quality, availability, certificates, price or even consumer opinion.
In conclusion it seems like there are many companies making false claims in order to make money quickly but they don’t seem to care about what their customers are ingesting. With a market that is so saturated with fake products it makes the process of finding the right remedy quite tricky. So consider these 5 points before buying any products and if you still have some concerns seek advice from a specialist.
[1] Pennmedicine.org. (2017). Penn Study Shows Nearly 70 Percent of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online Are Mislabeled – PR News. [online] [Accessed 15 Nov. 2017].
[2] Couch, D., Tasker, C., Theophilidou, E., Lund, J. and O’Sullivan, S. (2017). Cannabidiol and palmitoylethanolamide are anti-inflammatory in the acutely inflamed human colon. Clinical Science, [online] 131(21). [Accessed 15 Nov. 2017].
[3] Fda.gov. (2015). Warning Letters and Test Results for Cannabidiol-Related Products. [online] [Accessed 15 Nov. 2017].