THC + CBD What You Need To Know, Who To Trust
When purchasing CBD, there are several factors that you should be aware of to fully understand what you are purchasing and later consuming. Product names, labels, and contents continue to be an area of interpretation without having any reliable testing to validate, or laws in place to monitor. A recent FDA report highlights several components to be aware of when purchasing and using CBD products.
PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN LESS CBD THAN ADVERTISED
This particular FDA study found that some CBD products are mislabeled, misleading consumers into believing that the product contains a certain amount of CBD, when in actuality there is often more or less CBD than what is labeled. This can be problematic in the sense that you could potentially be consuming less CBD than desired or overpaying for a product that doesn’t contain as much CBD as the standard market value pricing. For over 100 products tested, 18% had less CBD than listed on their product labels.
PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN MORE CBD THAN ADVERTISED
On the other hand, consuming more CBD than desired could cause drowsiness so it is important to know the proper dosage and milligrams that your body can handle. For over 100 products tested, 37% had more CBD than listed on their product labels. This may sound a little alarming, further highlighting the importance of purchasing products from a trusted brand. Buying CBD online can be a daunting task, however doing a bit of research on the brand is an important step to feel confident in the CBD that you are consuming.
PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN NO CBD WITH MISLEADING LABELS
Sometimes a product can be labeled hemp CBD oil, or simply hemp oil, making it rather confusing as to what the item actually contains. Hemp oil is generally different from CBD oil and usually does not contain any CBD, merely the oil extracted from a different part of the hemp plant. Of 147 hemp and CBD products tested for cannabinoids, the FDA found that two products contained zero CBD where labels stated it was a CBD product, and additionally seven others had zero CBD but did not specify on the label that CBD was an ingredient.
PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN THC WHEN ADVERTISED AS THC-FREE
Another concerning finding was testing the amount of THC in products. In some cases, certain jobs may require an individual to perform frequent drug testing, limiting them to consuming THC-free products only. In testing for 147 products, the FDA found that 49% of them that claimed to contain 0% THC actually contained THC.
The FDA discusses the “gray area“ that CBD is currently in as far as federal regulation and product labeling, so again it is important to find a trusted brand of products to ensure that you are consuming the desired amount of CBD, and if you want your CBD to be completely THC-free, out of preference or necessity. The FDA hints at future funding in 2021 towards providing additional regulations and structure around CBD in regards to consumer safety.
HOW TO CHECK THE VALIDITY OF A CBD PRODUCT OR BRAND
Seed to shelf transparency is so important for CBD products, from the farming practices all the way to the oil extraction process and product development. Read more here on best practices. If you’re considering buying a CBD oil tincture, capsule, or topicals, please consider The Happy Labs brand.
We specialize in seed to shelf transparency and have our product testing data easily accessible through QR codes with downloadable test results. You’ll know exactly what you are purchasing every time! To locate your batch, enter the information here in the search box to view the results and certifications.
Please continue to enjoy CBD products safely, and follow us for regularly updated news and CBD education!