Medically reviewed by Dr. Jen Palmer, ND - Naturopathic Doctor
CBD oil and hemp extract continue to dominate health and wellness news. These health supplements are getting attention for various reasons, namely because many people are seeing positive effects, and these are not exceptional cases. Decades of research show phytocannabinoids to be potent aides in supporting overall wellbeing in human bodies. But, while many companies claim to have harnessed the amazing benefits of the hemp plant, there can be considerable differences in quality and purity that depend on many different factors.
Continue reading to learn how to choose CBD oil, where you can buy CBD, how to buy CBD oil online, and how to make sure you buy only the best CBD products:
Depending on the state you live in, you can buy CBD oil both online and from brick-and-mortar stores. In states where the in-store sale of CBD is legal, you can purchase CBD from specialized CBD retailers or any drug or grocery store with a pharmacy section. Specialized CBD retailers are a good option for those new to CBD as they have staff members with extensive knowledge of CBD and its benefits that can help you find the right products for your needs.
We make it easy to buy CBD online. Charlotte’s Web™ ships directly to your door no matter the state you live in and is also available in stores.
The first step in identifying the right CBD hemp extracts is to find the best in terms of the quality and consistency of the product. Not all hemp extract products are created equal. Knowing what to look for when purchasing CBD products is critical. Keep reading to find out what you should look for when buying CBD:
Hemp is a powerful and extraordinary crop, and one of its powers is the ability to clean soil by pulling toxins, and other contaminants up through its roots via a process called phytoremediation (more on that here). This is why hemp products must be sourced from the best raw ingredients, starting with soil that’s clean, and has been tested by companies with the highest quality standards in every single stage from growing to extraction to production.
Watch the video on how we create high-quality hemp extract.
When looking through all the options, use the following checklist to find the best product you can trust from a company with high standards for its CBD oil hemp extract production:
To make sure you’re getting the best CBD for your money, you’ll want to look for batch reports or certificates of analysis (COA) from the manufacturer of the CBD product. These documents detail important information about the number of cannabinoids and the levels of heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, and THC found in an individual batch of products. Learn how to read a COA here.
Charlotte’s Web is committed to making every single product the best possible extraction from the goodness of Mother Nature, and we do so by overseeing the entire production process. This starts by testing soils, hand tending, and testing the plants as they grow to ensure correct phytochemical profile, testing the final product, and more testing in between. Find a COA for any Charlotte’s Web lot number here.
Click here to learn what makes the best full-spectrum CBD oil.
Additionally, while wading through the vast array of hemp-based options on the shelves, remember that you want hemp extract filled with CBD and other phytocannabinoids, not hemp seed extract. CBD and other phytocannabinoids are found in the aerial parts of the plant, not the seeds. Oils made from hemp seeds carry their own beneficial properties, but they will not deliver the internal wellness benefits you may be looking for.
Click here to learn the difference between CBD oil and hemp seed oil.
Since CBD is currently the big buzzword in health, you’ll see those three letters on many products. Before investing in one, you need to know the differences between CBD Isolate extracts or full-spectrum hemp extracts.
Pure CBD or CBD Isolate: Pure CBD products isolate the CBD (cannabinol) found within hemp extract to ensure no other cannabinoids, including THC, are included. These products allow you to personalize the level of CBD in your daily routine to support overall wellness without any of the other cannabinoids found in hemp. Some people may take an isolate to avoid failing a drug screening. Check out our blog post titled CBD can show up on a drug test. One drawback is that isolates are a single cannabinoid out of the 100 plus cannabinoids found in full-spectrum hemp extract.
Full-Spectrum CBD: While CBD can assist in many healthy processes within the body, pairing cannabidiol with its fellow phytocannabinoids naturally occurring in hemp can support the body even further. Full-spectrum hemp extract with naturally occurring CBD utilizes every cannabinoid found in the hemp plant to deliver the most benefits possible by taking advantage of what’s called the “Entourage Effect.”
THC-Free CBD: There are many types of CBD oil without THC. Some are far superior to others. Charlotte’s Web offers a THC-Free† CBD oil which is a broad-spectrum CBD oil. * This means that it contains all the plant compounds except THC. It is superior to a CBD isolate because when all compounds are taken together, they work synergistically to benefit the body. Not all THC free CBD oil is the same. The way it is manufactured has a large impact on the quality of the product. See why Charlotte’s Web™ THC Free† CBD Oil is the best and in a class of its own.
So now that you’ve found a brand that you trust and decided on what type of CBD you want, it’s time to decide what strength of CBD oil you want. The strength or potency of CBD oil can vary significantly with Charlotte’s Web products alone containing anywhere from 17mg of CBD to 60mg of CBD per 1ML bottle. How do you choose between them, though?
If you’re new to CBD, it is recommended that you start with a lower-strength product and then increase the potency as you learn more about how CBD interacts with your body. Remember, everyone’s body is different, and it may take some time to feel the effects of CBD. For the best results, make sure to take your CBD at roughly the same time each day for at least 30 days. Feel free to increase the potency of your CBD as well as the amount you consume to achieve your desired results as you become more comfortable.
If you have more CBD questions then start here with our frequently asked questions about CBD video And read our blog posts on how to take CBD and how much CBD you should take to learn more.
Here at Charlotte’s Web, we are committed to making every single product we sell the best possible extraction of Mother Nature. To do this we focus on quality, we use only the best organic hemp and test at every stage of the process to ensure our products are pure and contaminant-free.
* THC-free means trace amounts less than 0.01% or 100 ppm.
