Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, popularly known as weed. It is closely associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the more well-known cannabis product that has mind-altering effects. As such, CBD tends to share in the notoriety of THC, especially among those with limited knowledge of this substance in particular and the cannabis industry in general. This notoriety is not helped by the fact that even those that sell CBD for medicinal purposes tend to get involved in shady practices. For example, many CBD stores have been known to add some adulterants to their CBD products, thereby lowering their quality in an effort to increase profits. The downside of such industry practices among these disreputable stores is that it tends to taint the reputation of the good CBD stores selling good products. Some reputable CBD stores have continued to flourish owing to their honest practices despite the negativity and ignorance that tends to plague the industry from time to time.
Below are Crucial Things to Know About CBD Stores;
1)The Potency of Their CBD Products
Many people that choose to purchase
CBD products do so for health reasons. Unlike THC users that tend to do it for
recreational purposes, CBD is usually sought for its medicinal value. As such,
its potency is crucial for such buyers.
Usually, the dosage of CBD is
indicated on the packaging material in milligrams. While this labeling gives a
good idea of the quantity of CBD, it may not be helpful in all situations. For
instance, those that purchase CBD products for health reasons may have certain
expectations. However, they usually don’t know how much CBD is needed to bring
about the desired medicinal effect. For instance, those seeking to use CBD
products to alleviate conditions like insomnia may not know the exact
quantities needed to achieve this. This is especially common among first-time
users. As such, it’s usually advisable to start with small quantities when
consuming any CBD products. This is useful for discovering the minimal dose
required to achieve a particular effect. Besides, similar quantities of CBD may
not produce the same effects in different individuals.
A person’s metabolism, route of
ingestion, and general health condition will dictate how much of a CBD product
will produce a certain effect. This is why understanding the potency of CBD
products is crucial.
2) Certificate of Analysis (COA)
CBD and other marijuana products have
come a long way as far as positive awareness goes. However, this has also created
an opportunity for scrupulous individuals to take advantage of the positive
strides made. After all, the CBD industry is a multi-billion dollar one. The
emergence of unscrupulous dealers means that all kinds of substances are added
to CBD products to increase profits. This, of course, compromises the quality
of the product. That’s where a certificate of analysis comes in handy.
A certificate of analysis acts as a
quality control mechanism by which to hold manufacturers accountable. It
confirms the details of CBD products, clearly stating their quantities and
processing standards. This makes it very difficult for a dealer to make
misleading claims about the quality of their CBD products.
To ensure the integrity of a
certificate of analysis, it is usually produced by third parties with no vested
interest in the outcome of the whole process.
A typical certificate of analysis for
a CBD product will have different sections. For example, one section could
detail possible contaminants like the insecticides used on the marijuana plant
from which the CBD was extracted. Another section could detail the chemical
solvents used in the extraction process, including any possible heavy metals.
Needless to say, a certificate of analysis will help a buyer to make an informed
decision.
Ultimately, you need to do extensive research before purchasing any CBD product from a dealer. In addition to potency and certificate of analysis, you need to ensure that a particular seller is licensed to conduct business in a particular jurisdiction. All these factors will help to make an informed decision.
