It’s without a doubt that the popularity of hemp oil/CBD is growing day by day, and that’s not going to change any time soon. As the interest in hemp oil/CBD increases so have the products that are flooding the market. In fact, a simple internet search will reveal hundreds of products, most of which claim to contain 100 percent original hemp.
Sadly, that’s not true. With the new-found popularity of hemp oil/CBD and hemp-based products, there have also been many instances of fake products (also known as “black hat” companies) that have made it to the market in an attempt to make a quick buck at consumers’ expense. Buyer beware.
Choose A Legit Brand
There are numerous companies that have sprung up in the hemp oil/CBD space claiming to be selling genuine hemp-based products, but you can’t just simply take their word for it. When buying hemp oil/CBD and hemp products online, it’s best to stick to the more established brands. If you choose to go with a newer brand, then you’ll need to do additional research. Visit the company’s website. A company that’s serious about the products they provide will have a professionally designed website with updates, accurate product information.
The website should have a contact page with the mailing address, phone number and email address should be easy to spot in case you have questions or need to return the product. The website should also provide all information regarding their products, including the ingredients, return policy, etc.
Tested By Third Party
While you’re on the company’s website, check for any third party certifications or reviews. Normally, brands have their hemp products tested in a third party lab and post the results on their website as proof of quality.
If there aren’t any certifications or lab reports found, it could mean multiple things. Maybe the product didn’t meet the standards of a lab test; or it could just mean that the company forgot to add the lab reports to their website. Without a lab report, there isn’t a way of confirming whether the product is good. This is why it’s important for you to submit a request for the lab reports or certifications before you purchase hemp oil/CBD or hemp-based products.
In the lab report, it should state that the lab has been accredited by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). Also, the lab report shouldn’t be more than three years old. A lab report should also confirm that the product is free from any contaminants and is safe to use.
Must Contain Below 0.3% THC
This is a big one, and is the watermark that the FDA uses to differentiate the legal hemp (products that contain less than 0.3% THC) from the illegal hemp (products that contain more than 0.3% THC). It’s best to stay away from those hemp products that contain more than 0.3% THC for legal and medical implications.