Buying CBD? Here Are 7 Questions To Ask Before Purchasing CBD

If it feels like you’re seeing CBD-based products everywhere you go, we have good news for you: You’re not imagining things!

The interest in CBD only grows by the year and with that comes thousands of businesses wanting to cash in on this new health and wellness boom — from Amazon, health stores, and even pet clinics and shops.

While this is, for the most part, good news for consumers in terms of competitive pricing and unlimited options, this can also pose a safety risk.

Why? CBD-based products are yet to be approved by the FDA.

Because of this, their production and marketing are not subject to the same stringent rules and regulations as prescription drugs. This means that not all CBD products are created equal and — for some — can be dangerous when consumed or applied.

So, as someone who is looking to buy CBD, how do you make sure that you’re only getting top-quality products from reputable sources?

In this article, we’ll help you make better-informed and safe choices by giving you a list of the 7 questions you need to ask before you click that “Check Out” button when buying CBD.

Let’s begin.

1. Is the source of this CBD oil good quality?

When it comes to choosing the right CBD products, sourcing matters.

Source information gives you insight into whether the hemp is organic, pesticide- and/or heavy metal-free, sustainably farmed, and third-party tested.

Why are these things important?

CBD quality and safety can diminish when harmful additives come into the picture. Even worse, large doses of these non-organic chemicals can put your health at risk and possibly lead to serious ailments, including cancer and kidney damage.

We at Zatural have seen it first-hand.

During testing, we found that numerous suppliers treat their hemp with non-organic chemicals, making them bitter and unpalatable. Organic, unprocessed CBD, on the other hand, has an earthy and grass-like taste.

When you try our CBD range, you’ll know we opted for the latter because we pride ourselves on creating products from organic, US-sourced, non-GMO, CO2-extracted hemp — ensuring that each one delivers on its promises and lives up to stringent cultivation regulations.

2. Are fillers and artificial ingredients in this CBD product?

Artificial ingredients and fillers are two other things you need to watch out for when buying CBD.

Producing pure hemp extract can get pricey, which prompts some brands to dilute their formulas with fillers and artificial ingredients. This way, they can use less hemp while maximizing product volume with significantly cheaper additives.

Not only do artificial ingredients and fillers dilute the product’s potency, they can also put customers at risk — especially if they consume these products regularly and in high doses long term.

Now, the issue remains: With such broad terms, how do you know which ingredients count as artificial and/or filler and which are actually adding value to the CBD product’s formulation?

While it’s near-impossible to make a complete list of all CBD additives, the common ones we usually hear about are:

• DXM (the active ingredient in cough syrups),
• 5F-ABD (a potentially dangerous filler compound capable of causing headaches, nausea, dizziness, irritability, and fainting)
• diacetyl (a yellow liquid known for its intensely buttery flavor), and
• vitamin E.

All CBD-focused brands are required to list their ingredients on their labels. Good quality CBD products have a short list of naturally derived ingredients, making them relatively easy to read and understand.

When a brand deliberately makes its ingredients hard to find, run for the hills.

3. Is the dosage of CBD shown?

Again, examine both the front and back labels.

Doing so usually gives you a good idea of the CBD product’s potency in terms of milligrams (mg) and whether CBD or hemp extract is listed as an active ingredient.

Remember to note two things: The CBD dosage per serving and the total amount of the actual product.

Why are these important?

Many times, some brands like to misdirect consumers by placing a high milliliter count on the front label.

For clarity, picture this: You’re looking at two different CBD oil bottles — one is 10ml with 1,000mg of CBD (Bottle 1) and the other is 20ml with 1,000mg of CBD (Bottle 2).

While both bottles contain the same amount of CBD (1,000mg), one is more potent than the other.

If we break down each bottle’s potency, Bottle 1 contains 10% CBD per serving and Bottle 2 has 5% CBD per serving — making Bottle 1 twice as strong.

At first glance, Bottle 1 may be more pricey. But since it’s the stronger formula among the two, you get higher CBD content per dose and use fewer drops for the same effect. Whereas with Bottle 2, you’re paying double for less.

4. Does a higher price mean a better CBD product?

Yes and no.

On average, good quality CBD products range between $0.02 and $0.20 per mg of CBD. These prices are determined by four things: production method, raw material quality, potency level, general price mark up.

Good brands use organic, pesticide-free, and non-GMO hemp. Their products also go through third-party lab testing, which means they test for 1) basic CBD/THC levels as well as  2) pesticides, leftover solvents, mold, etc.

However, some brands only test for #1 and still charge premium prices, which makes them less reliable in terms of safety and quality. When buying CBD, make sure you opt for lab-tested options to get your full money’s worth.

It’s also smart to shop around. Some companies charge top dollar for CBD products when they don’t have to. They know customers are use to paying high prices for CBD, so they charge high prices. Don’t let yourself because a victim of price gouging. Learn whether or not your overpaying for CBD.

5. Is the CBD product cGMP compliant?

A CBD brand’s ability to maintain consistency and regulation of its production process determines its products’ effectiveness and safety.

Reputable CBD companies are sticklers for current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) — a set of rules carried out by the FDA to make sure that producers adhere to correct design, control, and monitoring of facilities and processes and that US consumers are protected from potentially harmful products.

These rules focus on a product’s entire lifecycle — from ingredient sourcing and purchasing to product packaging, distribution, and beyond.

To ensure that you’re only getting high-potency CBD that’s safe to consume, verify a brand’s compliance with cGMP standards before you give them your hard-earned money.

6. Can I purchase a trusted CBD product online?

The short answer is yes.

However, you need to be diligent with your research in terms of 1) digging up more information about the CBD product you want to buy, 2) determining if CBD brands can be trusted, and 3) asking experienced CBD users for best buying practices (some of which we will list below).

Before you buy CBD products, make sure you take note of the following:

• The cannabidiol is derived from organic and toxin-free hemp plants and not marijuana
• The CBD product contains less than 0.3% THC (which is considered legal in all US states)
• The CBD brand did third-party testing, has a Certificate of Analysis (CoA), and adheres to safe sourcing and manufacturing processes

7. Do they offer a “Satisfaction Guarantee”?

Nothing indicates that a brand stands by its CBD products better than a “Satisfaction Guarantee” clause.

Finding the right CBD product for you requires trial and error — and most of the time, you don’t hit the jackpot on the first purchase.

So, if a brand doesn’t allow returns or a full refund within the first 30 or 60 days, then its products aren’t worth your time or investment.

Sump it Up!

If you’re looking to buy CBD products — especially top-quality ones that deliver on their promises — then we hope these 7 questions start you on the path to making the right and worthwhile choice.

Since the beginning, we at Zatural only want what’s best for our customers. That’s why every reasonably priced, high-potency product we make is sustainably and safely sourced, filler-free, third-party tested, and cGMP compliant.

If you happen to love our award-winning CBD products, then we are grateful for your support. If not, then we offer a Satisfaction Guarantee of up to 30 days after purchase.

For educational purposes only.

*FDA DISCLAIMER -These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.