New data for the growth of the CBD market in the UK indicates that the current ‘hype’ is not just a passing fad. The popularity of CBD has now reached a level of market penetration that is unlikely to subside.

However, to counter the spreading popularity, there is still widespread misinformation and confusion surrounding CBD. The legal status of CBD products; conflation between CBD and THC; the differences between a good CBD product and a bad one…

So many CBD products to choose from

As the industry grows, hundreds of companies are jumping on the CBD bandwagon – eager to get their slice of a lucrative pie. Usually consumer choice is a good thing.  As the market is still relatively new, the challenge for consumers lies with knowing how to tell the difference.

This can lead to shoppers wasting their money and not getting the positive results they were hoping for; potentially making them write CBD off as yet another wellness gimmick.

Even worse, as we’ve seen these last few weeks in America, some unscrupulous vendors can take advantage of consumers’ lack of knowledge in order to use cheap and unsafe ingredients in their products to improve their profit margins.

1. Does the vendor have 3rd party lab results?

If a CBD retailer was unable to supply lab reports, I would be extremely wary of purchasing CBD products from them.

The CBD e-liquids we manufacture  all thoroughly tested before we stock them. Plus, we won’t stock any third party products where the manufacturer can’t supply us with a full report from an accredited laboratory. Our customers can have sight of the lab reports from any of the CBD products we stock before they commit to purchasing – they only need to ask.

Without a lab report, you have no way of knowing exactly what is in the product and if it’s safe to use. The presence of unsafe levels of harmful ingredients or contaminants will display a Fail in the Status column of the report.

The lab results should also confirm that the amount of CBD, or other cannabinoids, stated on the product label is in fact the amount it contains. A small deviation is normal; a big difference should raise a red flag.

Check that the testing was completed by a reputable laboratory by making sure they are accredited by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) or a similar body. If not, the vendor could have just compiled the lab report themselves.

2. Other than CBD, what ingredients are in the product?

High quality CBD products will have a clear and comprehensive list of the ingredients they contain. Ideally they should state that the CBD  organically sourced and GMO free.

Some of the best CBD oral drops (tinctures) and capsules use MCT as the carrier for the CBD. You may not recognise MCT as an ingredient but worry not. MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) are found in abundance in food products such as coconut oil, olive oil, soybeans and avocados. They are safe for human consumption and improve the bioavailability of CBD, allowing more to reach the bloodstream.

If you prefer to vape your CBD, then your chosen e-liquid should ideally mirror the ingredient list found in nicotine vape liquid.

If the product does contain stuff you’ve never heard of, it’s not necessarily cause for concern. A simple internet search will reveal all and let you know if the ingredient is safe for use in the delivery method the product intends. For example, the bootleg vape cartridges that have caused health problems in the US contain Vitamin E-acetate – perfectly safe when applied topically but not when inhaled.

3. What is the THC content?

In order to comply with UK laws, the CBD product must contain 0.2% THC or less. This is the amount that is considered safe and unlikely to generate any psychoactive effects. All of the hemp strains that are certified by the EU for use in UK CBD products contain <0.2% THC.

That being said, even in those extremely low quantities, THC can show up on some drug tests. If you  someone who  regularly screened for drugs at work, you will want to opt for a product that completely free from THC. Again, the lab test will confirm the presence or absence of THC in your chosen product.

4. What type of CBD is in the product?

There are three main types of CBD products that you can choose from; understanding the difference is important when selecting the CBD product that is right for you.

The first type is CBD Isolate which is pure CBD that was extracted from the hemp plant and then isolated from all of the other cannabinoids using a process called winterisation. The result is a >99% pure CBD extract.

Next you have Full Spectrum which doesn’t go through the winterisation process. This means that all of the other cannabinoids are still present. Full Spectrum has its own particular benefits known as the Entourage Effect. However, THC is present in the extract.

Finally, and growing in popularity in the UK, is Broad Spectrum. Increasingly regarded as the perfect hybrid between CBD Isolate and Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum is basically Full Spectrum without the presence of THC.

5. Where was the hemp sourced from?

It’s common sense that the quality of the hemp affects the quality of the CBD that is extracted from it. Manufacturers of premium CBD products will source the best quality hemp from reputable suppliers. Less scrupulous manufacturers will buy from whichever supplier sells their hemp for the cheapest price.

Maintaining the proper ph-balance in the soil, abstaining from pesticides, rejecting GMOs, and sourcing seeds from certified collectives all add up to a superior hemp plant from which to extract top notch CBD.

Choosing your CBD products wisely – takeaways

Check the ingredients carefully, and ask vendors for lab reports, to ensure that your product of choice contains the advertised dose of CBD. Furthermore, it’s really important that you purchase your CBD oil from reputable sources. The popularity of CBD is such that some shady manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon. To be sure of the purity of the CBD, as well as any other ingredients used, do your research and only buy certified products.

Using CBD safely

There is no current evidence to suggest that CBD oil is harmful to humans. It  a plant based cannabinoid, and cannabinoids  found naturally in our own bodies. Hence, if you decide to try CBD oil to find relief from your particular health condition, even if you don’t find the positive results you were hoping for, you’re unlikely to find any negative ones.

The research into CBD continues

As more studies  undertaken, and more research published, we will continue to update you with all the latest findings regarding CBD.

If you still have more questions, we are always happy to help. Just get in touch with any queries you have about CBD or vaping in general.