If you’ve purchased CBD oil before, you’ve probably realized that not all CBD products are created equal.

Because the industry is still developing, it can often be a challenge to know to choose the good CBD products from the bad ones.

If you’re not sure how to safely buy CBD oil, here’s a list of things to check for before buying a bottle of CBD oil.

#1 Does the Product Contain The Legal Amount of THC?

While THC is legal in several states, it is illegal in most of them.

In order for a CBD product to maintain its legality, it can only contain a certain amount of THC. Depending on the state, the maximum amount of THC allowed is 0.3% to 0.5% or less.

This is the amount that is generally considered to be safe and shouldn’t inflict the psychoactive effects of THC.

Unless you live in a state where THC is legal and are knowingly seeking a product that contains THC, it is very important to confirm that the product you are looking to purchase contains less than the legal amount of THC allowed in your state.

The best way to do this is to check the product’s lab report or Certificate of Analysis.

If they don’t have a lab report readily available, or their lab report says that the product has THC, but their product label says it doesn’t… you’ll probably want to stay away from that product.

#2 What Type of CBD is Used in the Product?

When shopping for CBD products, consumers are faced with the choice between products that contain “Full Spectrum CBD,” “Broad Spectrum CBD,” or “CBD Isolate.”

Understanding the difference between the three, and which type is used in a CBD product, is extremely important to know.

So what’s the difference between full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate CBD?

First off, the difference between each type refers to the cannabinoid extraction process.

CBD Isolate is pure CBD that was extracted from the hemp plant, and then isolated from the other cannabinoids that were present, resulting in a 99% pure CBD extract.

Full Spectrum CBD is CBD that was extracted from the hemp plant along with all the other cannabinoids that were present, including THC.

Broad Spectrum CBD is a bit of a mix between both CBD isolate and Full Spectrum CBD. Essentially, Broad Spectrum CBD is Full Spectrum CBD, without the THC.

Now, depending on your needs and the legality of THC in your state, a full spectrum CBD product may not be suitable for you. In that case, a product made with CBD isolate or Broad Spectrum CBD may be your best choice.

The importance is understanding the difference between the three, then checking the product to confirm which type of CBD it uses.

#3 How Were the Cannabinoids Extracted?

There are several different methods of extracting CBD; however, CO2 extraction is the standard because it is safe and delivers a pure end product.

CO2 extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) to extract CBD from the plant, then compresses it into a supercritical cold liquid state, while preserving the nutrient-rich trichomes and terpenes.

Because CO2 extraction preserves the purity of the CBD while not contaminating the end substance, it is the most superior way to extract CBD and should be the standard for any quality CBD product.

#4 Does the Product Have Good Ratings?

A great way to gauge the legitimacy of a product or brand is by reviewing the experience others have had with the product and brand.

While it doesn’t guarantee the quality of a product, it does provide useful insights into how other felt about the product and could reveal potential problems you’d rather avoid.

It’s fairly simple and can quickly be done with a few quick searches into the brand’s website, Facebook, and other social platforms.

Does the product and brand have any reviews? Are they good, bad, average? Are there any alarming complaints or praise from their customers?

These are crucial questions that will help you determine if the product is worth giving a try.

#5 Do You Know Anyone Who Has Tried the Product?

One of the best ways to know if a product is worth trying is if a friend or family member has tried the product and has had a good experience.

Before you try any product, check with your network of contacts and find out if anyone you know has had an experience with the product.

• If it was good, that’s great news!
• If it wasn’t good… stay away from the product.
• If there isn’t anyone in your network who has tried the product, make your assessment based on the information you’ve collected.

When in doubt, it’s always best to play it safe. There are a ton of CBD products that have outstanding reputations and mountains of positive reviews. Save yourself the guesswork and just go with a CBD brand that has a proven track record and has built up trust with the community.