CBD oil for pain management, anxiety, insomnia, and more has grown wildly in recent years. This popularity has led to scam CBD products and brands looking to make a quick buck.
Know the source of the hemp
Legitimate CBD brands use high-quality organic hemp sourced from reputable farms in the United States or Europe. The best CBD oils use locally grown hemp from regulated farms that use safe extraction methods and lab-test their crops for contaminants like pesticides, solvents, and heavy metals. Quality CBD companies provide complete transparency in their sourcing, including the location and methods used by the hemp farms. Beware of vague claims like “sourced in the US” or brands that don’t disclose their hemp source at all. Only buy CBD from companies that provide detailed information on the quality and source of their hemp.
Look for third party lab testing
Any reputable CBD oil or tincture should come with third-party lab testing results. Independent lab testing verifies the amount of CBD and other cannabinoids in the product to ensure correct potency and purity. It will also test for potentially dangerous chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals. Scam CBD sellers will make unverified claims about potency without providing any lab evidence. Only buy best cbd oil with lab testing results readily available on the website or product packaging. The lab report should confirm the claimed amount of CBD, and show no presence of contaminants.
Avoid overly cheap prices
While CBD has become more affordable in recent years, super cheap pricing is a major red flag when buying CBD oil. High-quality CBD with organic, domestically sourced hemp and third-party lab testing isn’t cheap to produce. Prices under $40 for a full 1 oz bottle are usually too good to be true. Comparison shop reputable CBD brands to get an idea of average pricing for CBD oils and tinctures. While you find quality CBD for under $0.10 per mg, anything priced far lower than that is likely too cheap to be legitimate and safe.
Watch out for health claims
Responsible CBD sellers will avoid making direct health claims or claim that CBD diagnoses, treats, or cures any disease. That is because CBD products are not approved by the FDA and current research, while promising, is still preliminary. Scam CBD brands will often feature claims that CBD treats serious health conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. As of now, there is no solid scientific evidence that CBD effectively treats these diseases. Reputable CBD companies will stick to vaguer claims like “calms anxiety” or “aids post workout recovery.” Avoid brands that overstate CBD’s confirmed health benefits.
Check company reputation
Before buying any CBD oil or product, take time to research the company’s reputation and customer reviews. Scam CBD brands will have very little web presence and lack reputable press mentions and customer feedback. Quality CBD companies will have a company website detailing their team, sources, and mission. Look for existing press coverage from trusted CBD reporters and established health and wellness websites. Additionally, check for reviews from past customers describing their experience ordering the CBD, along with comments on the product quality and effects. While the absence of reviews doesn’t always mean a scam, reputable brands will have predominantly positive customer reviews readily available.