There are a lot of CBD products out there, but how do you choose? Considering the multitude of variables involved and the fact that I don't want anyone wasting their money or using a product that is contaminated.
The buyer should be aware of the potential risks before buying and using any CBD based product. In a perfect world, you wouldn't have to worry about buying an ineffective and/or harmful product- We don't live in that world... Yet.
Before getting into the risks some information needs to be known. CBD products are manufactured from a certain kind of cannabis. This cannabis contains very little THC and varying amounts of CBD depending on strain and other variables. Whereas the psychoactive cannabis grown and smoked to produce euphoria and an altered state has been selectively bred to contain very little (if any) CBD and a range of THC (today's high potency strains can be many times more potent than what was available in the 1960's). Due to a recent increase in demand for strains containing both THC and CBD in different ratios, it is far easier to locate products that have both (I've seen 1:1 THC:CBD to be much more commonplace). Going back to CBD rich hemp, the raw material used to manufacture CBD products is hugely imported due to current laws (if I remember correctly, CBD hemp cultivation is being done in certain states, but many companies don't use it due to current laws surrounding it). Foreign hemp can be safe or unsafe. Depending upon how the hemp is cultivated and processed, it can potentially contain unacceptable levels of toxic substances, pathogens, and/or CBD. This standard of importation vs cultivation increases the price of CBD products.
When you buy a CBD product, don't assume it contains what it advertises.
FDA CBD product tests
This link offers a glimpse of cannabinoid level tests performed. Because CBD products are not regulated, it is possible to purchase a CBD product that contains no CBD whatsoever.
I recently decided to try a different CBD oil product and noticed some profound differences. I originally tried Cibdex and I cannot attest to it's effectiveness, but it had a pleasant flavor, appearance, and consistency (the original flavor). The next product I tried was Hempathy CBD oil and found that it can be effective if used correctly and had a pleasant flavor, appearance, and consistency (original flavor). The third product I tried was +CBDoil by CannaVest Corp. This product's effectiveness in comparison to Hempathy CBD oil is currently being explored. I purchased the Vanilla flavored version and found it to look and taste pretty bad. Its consistency is what has me a little concerned... It is far thicker, has a brownish-green appearance, and tastes very little of Vanilla and has a acrid-like bite to it. This difference could be due to its formulation: contains glycerin, lecithin, vanilla flavor, sorbate, and stevia. These differences could be the causes of the vastly different consistency and flavor. The thought that troubled me was: are there other possible causes that are potentially harmful?
Beating the high price of CBD products: Shop around, do the math (ie. price/gram and cost/month), and preferably choose a product with a verified potency. As far as choosing a specific form of CBD based solely on the price/gram of CBD: the higher potency oil (ie. 500mg/60ml vs 100mg/30ml) does work out to being cheaper in the long run and the capsule form ends up being cheaper (price/gram) if it indeed as effective as the oil.
WARNING! Beware of fake/counterfeit products and fake testimonials and fake lab results. There is money to be made in the CBD market, especially if you are selling a product that appears to be a CBD product, but isn't and is cheaper to manufacture. I strongly urge anyone planning on using CBD to avoid amazon.com, ebay.com, and the like. It is not a very trustworthy or stable market place. That's not to say that you can't get quality CBD products on these sites, but it's not worth the risk.
When the day comes that high CBD hemp cultivation and product regulation is seen differently at the federal level, citizens will have more control over producing and consuming their own hemp-based products. Imagine how inexpensive CBD could be if an increased awareness shifted the mindset and thus the laws surrounding CBD.
[EDIT]
Two additional links belonged in this post-
NIH's Dietary Supplement Label Database (search results on "CBD")
Consumer Lab (12 month access for under $40)
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