The popularity of CBD products has broken all the previous records, and CBD companies are thriving more than ever. Once there was a time when CBD products were taboo, and their mere possession could lead you to jail.
However, everything changed with the introduction of the agricultural bill of 2018. The 2018 farm bills gave legal status to all hemp-based CBD products containing 0.3% of THC in them. The legalization of CBD opened a whole new dimension for CBD products, from capsules, tablets, and oils to CBD-infused gummies.
Due to the legalization of CBD products, hundreds of new CBD companies came into the market with thousands of products. Unfortunately, while the market has never grown, the so-called CBD scammers and fraudsters capture a massive chunk of it.
These scammers and fraudsters are those fly-by-night companies who want to make a quick buck by using the popularity of CBD products. Unfortunately, the CBD market hasn’t matured yet, due to which most products have similar brand value. So, it’s high time to know if you are getting the CBD gummies you are paying for.
Before jumping into that, let’s see what CBD gummies are?
CBD gummies:
As the name already says, CBD gummies are regular gummies infused with CBD oil. These CBD gummies are among the most convenient ways to consume CBD. Besides being tasty and easy to consume, these gummies are also discreet and portable, making them a good option for first-time users.
Moreover, CBD gummies may also help lower the symptoms of various ailments. For example, research suggests CBD could be used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Now that we know what CBD gummies do, let’s know about the factors playing an important role in deciding the quality of CBD gummies.
CBD source:
When buying CBD gummies, the most basic but important question is about the source of CBD. The 2018 farm laws only allow CBD products from hemp plants grown exclusively in the United States. These plants are subjected to the USDA’s strict quality control. If the gummies carried an organic certification, it’s much better.
The organic certification means the hemp plant was cultivated without pesticides or fertilizer. Organic certification of hemp holds high value because the hemp plant can absorb almost everything from its surroundings, including harmful elements.
Method of Extraction:
CBD oil has various extraction methods, some better than others. However, almost all reputed manufacturers use the CO2 extraction method. In the CO2 extraction method, pressurized CO2 extracts all the beneficial compounds from the hemp plant without using additional heat or toxic solvents.
Other than the CO2 extraction, you may also choose products extracted by using alcohol or olive oil. However, it wouldn’t be safe to use products prepared using any hydrocarbon solvents such as propane or butane. It’s because hydrocarbons are challenging to eliminate and may also contain some toxic chemicals in gummies.
The potency of CBD:
The potency of products is also quite important because the products’ potency decides the respective dose. While measuring CBD doses with gummies is relatively easy, sometimes the manufacturer doesn’t disclose the original potency of the products. This may lead to overdose, or the effects of gummies may not be seen altogether.
Furthermore, the dosage guidelines for CBD gummies aren’t clear, as it depends on various factors. So, if CBD dosages aren’t mentioned accurately on the labels, they may also cause various side effects when used to treat different ailments.
Third-party Lab Testing:
Third-party testing is the most critical factor when it comes to determining the quality of CBD products. Because the FDA doesn’t regulate the CBD market, the fraudsters openly sell low-quality products without fearing repercussions. So, if you want to consume good quality CBD gummies, buy only those gummies tested by independent third-party laboratories.
These independent laboratories prepare a certificate of analysis after analyzing the phytochemical profile of the product, including the claimed potency. Moreover, these laboratories also check for any pesticides and heavy metals in the product.
So, if a CBD gummy has passed the third-party lab test, the company will proudly post its certificate of analysis on its website. If the company doesn’t have a COA from a third-party lab, it would be better to leave its products alone.
Brand Reputation:
As we have already said, most of the brands our their have a similar reputation. However, some CBD brands have been in the business for a few years and have created an excellent reputation.
You can see that these brands have a lot of positive reviews on different platforms. Moreover, these companies also provide a dedicated line for customer service. So, before buying CBD gummies from anywhere, do a proper background check on the internet.
High price doesn’t mean premium quality:
Most of us think a high price means products would also be of premium quality. However, this is far from the truth regarding newer products such as CBD gummies. Many fraud companies are ripping off their customers on the good faith and innocence of first-time customers. These companies claim their products are of superior quality without solid documentary evidence.
In 2016, the FDA found severe irregularities in labeling CBD products. Most of those products had either higher or lower concentrations of CBD than claimed. Even some of the products do not have an ounce of CBD, while others contain high levels of metals and pesticides.
So, paying a premium price doesn’t guarantee if you are getting premium products or not.
Conclusion:
CBD gummies have various benefits; however, the product is relatively new. So, by looking at their labels, there is no way to decide which company has the best CBD gummies. So, if you want to know if you are getting the CBD gummies you are paying for, check the certificate of analysis of products.
Moreover, check if the COA mentions the purity and potency of the product, including its source. By following these guidelines, you can quickly determine if you are getting the CBD gummies you paid for or not.