This article is sponsored by Diamond CBD. Diamond CBD is dedicated to developing innovative hemp CBD extracts for consumers around the world.
As regulations evolve and research progresses, hemp-derived CBD products have captured the attention of many consumers. Oils and other products containing CBD have shown promise in treating a variety of ailments including inflammation and anxiety.
CBD also lacks the psychoactivity associated with cannabis, and when derived from hemp, the substance is legal across the United States. These factors have helped make CBD popular with consumers looking to explore the therapeutic effects of cannabis without experiencing the high it is noted for.
Today, consumers can find CBD in a bevy of products, from gummy candies to skin creams. CBD oil is one of the most popular ways to experience the benefits of CBD, though, allowing users the flexibility to take their CBD orally, mix it into a beverage, or even inhale it from a vaporizer cartridge.
CBD oil can be administered orally or taken mixed into a favorite beverage. (RUBEN RAMOS/iStock)
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is a refined oil rich in the cannabinoid molecule cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD. Unlike it’s more infamous cousin, THC, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t cause the traditional high associated with cannabis. And while CBD oil can be sourced from any cannabis plant, it is commonly derived from agricultural hemp—cannabis plants bred to express less than 0.3% THC and thus have no intoxicating potential.
While clinical research on CBD is still in its early stages, the compound has shown promising results when it comes to treating a wide variety of conditions. Many new consumers use CBD oil to treat pain and inflammation, while others have embraced the cannabinoid compound as a way to relieve anxiety.
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Finding the Right CBD Oil
Whatever a person’s reason for trying CBD oil, though, their first concern should be knowing what they’re buying. The CBD marketplace is both brand new and increasingly crowded; as a result, it can be a tough place for consumers to navigate.
Some products may bill themselves as CBD oil, but not actually contain the ingredient. Others may skimp on real CBD and bulk up with synthetic impostors.
When shopping for CBD oil and similar products, a good rule of thumb for consumers is to seek out products that have been thoroughly tested to ensure that what’s inside is real, natural CBD oil.
We spoke with Diamond CBD, a leading online retailer of CBD wellness products, about the testing they do to ensure customers find exactly what they’re looking for.
Independent lab tests can help ensure the quality and safety of CBD oils. (PointImages/iStock)
Third Party Lab Reports
To be certain you’re getting test results you can trust, look for a CBD oil that’s been tested by someone other than the company selling it. Independent testing companies stake their reputations on every test, so they’re not biased toward manufacturers. These third-party testers are looking to identify what’s actually in the product, whether the manufacturer likes the results or not.
And the more independent product testers are involved, the better, says Diamond. When test results are available from multiple labs, they do more than just check one another’s work. They help develop a fuller picture of those results, providing customers with a consensus that’s more valuable and meaningful than a simple second opinion.
Know What You’re Buying—And What You’re Not
CBD testing shouldn’t just tell you what’s in a CBD oil, which is usually CBD along with a carrier oil like grapeseed oil and maybe some other essential oils for flavor. It should also let you know what’s not in the package. Thorough testing can confirm that the oil you’re buying is not only real CBD, but that it’s free of contaminants like pesticides and synthetic CBD substitutes.
If you’re concerned about local regulations covering CBD oil, testing can also help put your mind at ease by confirming that any oil you buy contains less than 0.3% THC by volume. That will help keep you on the right side of the law no matter where in the United States you live.
Multiple rounds of testing make sure CBD oil consumers are getting the latest lab results. (nicolas_/iStock)
Real Quality Control Never Rests
Once companies have these test results, sharing them with customers is not just a best practice—it should be a priority. After all, you shouldn’t have to guess what’s in the bottle or wait to read results until a product arrives in your mailbox. That, says Diamond CBD, is why their team makes test results for CBD oils and tinctures available online, right next to the product description.
Transparent test results that are easily accessible also help customers ensure they’re looking at data that’s relevant to the product they’re actually ordering. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and a good grade for one batch of product doesn’t always translate to the next round. That’s why responsible testers don’t stop at one good result, but continually update customers with the latest data available on their products.
Of course, that data has to be displayed someplace that’s easy for consumers to find. Trustworthy CBD retailers are transparent with their ingredients and test results not just online, but on their products as well. Clear and accurate labeling is key, as it ensures customers never have to wonder what’s in the bottle of CBD oil they ordered—they can always find out at a glance.
Retailing Responsibly
As you shop around for CBD oil, it’s important to remember that testing results aren’t just a key to understanding what’s in a given product. They can also act as a barometer for how responsible and reliable a retailer is.
CBD oils are still in their infancy as an industry, and there are plenty of players who are only in the game to make a quick buck. Looking at the testing regimen retailers employ is one good way to tell which companies are looking to drive the industry forward and increase understanding of the science behind CBD—and which ones may not be.
Multiple rounds of testing through different independent labs also represents an investment by the seller in creating transparency around their wares. With so many CBD oil purveyors in today’s market, it’s worth shopping around for one that makes sure customers know exactly what’s in every bottle. And if you’re looking to try a CBD product, you can get 50% off of your first order from Diamond CBD by using the code LEAFLY50.
