How to Shop for CBD Oil – 3 Tips for Beginners

You have heard how CBD is providing all-natural therapeutic benefits, and now you’re thinking of trying it yourself.

You do a quick search online, only to find that products are everywhere. Even Amazon appears to be selling CBD. But scrolling through the thousands of listings and all the green-themed brands online can be overwhelming for a first-time buyer.

There is a lot of misinformation and mislabeled products out there so we put together a few handy tips for beginner CBD users.

The Basics First – What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is a compound derived from the cannabis hemp plant. The cannabis plant has over 400 compounds, and the most widely known is THC. THC is the compound that “gets you high” and is known to have psychoactive properties.

CBD, on the other hand, does not have psychoactive properties. It is instead applauded for its natural anti-inflammatory abilities, among other positive health effects that are still being uncovered by research.

CBD has been proven to improve mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and it can even reduce cancerous growth and tumors. There is a wide variety of ailments and diseases where people are turning to CBD and seeing success, especially with neurological disorders. CBD is not a guaranteed fix of any illness, but people feel the benefits, and because of this, more people are trying it out.

Prior to these current rules, regulation changes, and research on cannabis, anything related to cannabis was considered taboo and illegal. In today’s enlighten world, there are 15 states with legal marijuana, and the research of its uses is still developing. Not every state allows CBD, but it is federally legal.

In 2018, the FDA approved its first-ever CBD medication called Epiodiolex to treat rare forms of epilepsy: Lennox-Gaustat Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome. Beyond this medication though, there are thousands of CBD products on the market for all types of intended use from face creams to daily capsules. There are studies being released all the time of various benefits, and popularity is growing fast.

Tip #1 – Let your Bud-Tender be Your CBD Guide

Because CBD has grown so fast in popularity and the laws vary from state to state, misinformation and confusion around CBD and cannabis, in general, is pretty common. Studies on CBD have continually proved its benefits, but the FDA is not approving anything other than the medication for seizures. This however does not mean it doesn’t work, but instead just means people need to consider their sources.

In the states with legal marijuana, CBD is found in abundance in dispensaries, which are held to high regulations and standards. Dispensaries have trained professionals who understand the products and are versed in their benefits so they can best serve their customers. These “budtenders” usually take pride in their jobs to spread the correct information and give guidance on the misinformation out there.

Even better if you can speak directly to the owner or head formulator.

Tip #2 – Hemp Seed Oil Is Not the Same as CBD Oil

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD.

Even though a quick search for CBD oil populates thousands of results in Amazon, they forbid the sale of cannabidiol oil on their website. All of the products that will show up on Amazon are labeled hemp oil or hemp extract.

Most of these products are actually made with Hemp Seed Oil which is not the same as the more valued CBD Oil. This is often the case too for CBD products found inside gas stations & random convenient stores. Avoid Hemp Seed Oils which is generally labeled just “Hemp Oil”.

CBD is cannabidiol oil, and it is extracted from the cannabis plant’s stalks, leaves, and flowers. Hemp oil, also known as hemp seed oil, is extracted from the seeds of the cannabis plant. The seeds do not contain CBD. The seeds provide their own properties of fatty acids, nutrients, and bioactive compounds.

Tip #3 – Look for CBD Transparency

If you don’t have a local dispensary and must buy online then look for a reputable online dispensary.

For the states that have legal CBD but no dispensaries, consumers must carefully examine the packaging and read the information provided. If the product lists hemp seed oil or “hemp oil”, then it is it is not CBD. If the product lists Cannabidiol oil, then it is true CBD.

When purchasing from a company that sells true CBD products, consumers should look for more information on the extraction process and even the strains used.

If a company is transparent with this information, then that is a trusted company to buy from. If a company is not transparent, then that is a red flag to consider. There are a lot of companies out there falsely advertising CBD when their product is hemp seed oil.

There are also companies blindly using CBD oils from untrusted wholesalers with no traceability. If a company provides had 3rd party DEA approved lab results then they most likely are trusted.

Also look for array of products including Full-Spectrum Oil, Gummies, CBD Creams, and flower nugz.

Also look at their social media pages which should be linked from their website. Are the active and engaged, so they have good reviews and so on.

These are the types of CBD companies to look for when purchasing CBD products to ensure quality and standard.

Overall, it is essential to know the difference between CBD and hemp seed oil, and by using that information, you can make a trusted purchase for your CBD products. 

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