The CBD market is the fastest-growing market in the world. Even though hemp and hemp products have only recently become legal on a federal level, experts project that CBD edibles will be worth more than four billion dollars by the end of 2022.
People are coming to recognize the benefits of this powerful supplement, and it is quickly becoming a major household commodity.
While this is great news for the CBD economy, it can cause frustration for anyone wading through the sea of available CBD products.
Whether you are a consumer trying to choose between CBD oil and CBD gummies, or an entrepreneur looking to break into this lucrative market, there is an overload of options and a serious lack of information.
New brands are showing up online every day, kiosks at the mall feature flashy CBD products, and even some gas stations promote the sale of CBD products right at the cash register.
The new, increased availability of CBD is certainly exciting, but you need to do your research because several brands lie about the potency and purity of their products, and some make their gummies with CBD derived from hemp sprayed with dangerous chemicals.
The inconsistency and overwhelming variety in the market creates confusion about how to find a quality product. Let’s simplify your shopping by looking at the most important features of CBD gummies.
CBD Isolate, Broad-Spectrum CBD, or Full-Spectrum CBD?
You may see these terms on packaging or websites, but there is usually no explanation for what they mean. It is important to understand the differences, however, because the terms refer to the amount of THC in the product.
Though the industrial hemp used to make CBD can only legally contain 0.3 percent THC or less, this can be enough to make you feel drowsy or fail a drug test.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is 100 percent free of THC. This is the best option for anyone who gets regularly tested for drugs, is hesitant about exposure, or is interested in taking higher doses of CBD without getting intoxicated by too much THC.
The extraction process for CBD isolate removes all cannabinoids present in the hemp plant except for CBD.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD contains all cannabinoids present in the hemp plant minus the THC, though it is impossible to entirely remove THC when retaining the other cannabinoids.
Combining all the cannabinoids creates an elevated benefit known as the “entourage effect,” and anyone looking to get this benefit without becoming intoxicated or drowsy may want to try broad-spectrum products.
You still need to be cautious, however, if you are regularly tested for drugs, because the nominal amount of THC may still show up.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, including THC. This is a good option if you would like to experience the full “entourage effect” and do not receive regular drug screening.
There is usually not enough THC present in full-spectrum CBD to get you “high,” but you may feel drowsy or dizzy while taking this product.
Additionally, if you are interested in higher doses of CBD, taking full-spectrum products puts you at an increased risk of intoxication.
What Are the Most Important Quality Markers for CBD Gummies?
Now that you understand the differences in types of CBD gummies, it is important to understand which features denote a quality product. Verma Farms CBD gummies set the example for all other brands on the market.
Their gummies are free of THC, and the non-GMO hemp used to make them is domestically and organically grown. They use a special CO2 extraction process, ensuring every batch of CBD is pure and potent. Finally, they provide third-party lab results on their website, guaranteeing that the package labeling is accurate and honest.
Organic, Domestic Hemp
Some brands source the hemp used to make their CBD products from other countries. The problem with this is that other countries do not necessarily have very stringent agricultural regulations.
This can lead to hemp that is grown in polluted soil, irrigated with polluted water, and sprayed with dangerous pesticides and fertilizers not intended for human use.
When you select your CBD gummies, make sure the hemp used to make them is grown in the United States. The USDA has some of the strictest agricultural regulations in the world. Additionally, check the packaging or the website to make sure that hemp plants are organically grown.
This is important because even pesticides and fertilizers approved by USDA can end up in your CBD extract.
Extraction Process
Some extraction processes require high temperatures which make it difficult to protect the integrity of the final CBD product.
They also use solvents and additives that destroy the purity of the resulting CBD. CO2 extraction is performed at lower temperatures and does not require any additional solvents. This results in the purest, most potent CBD possible.
Third-Party Lab Results
One of the most important steps you can take to ensure the quality of your CBD gummies is to check for third-party lab results. Outside labs do not have an investment in the outcomes of testing.
So when companies verify the potency and purity of their products through making third-party lab results available, you can be confident you are getting exactly what is advertised.
Third-party lab results safeguard against unexpected THC and other harmful ingredients and confirm that you are getting the intended dose of CBD.
Final Thoughts
Keeping a few simple standards in mind while you research your products will make you an expert on finding exactly what you are looking for.
Make sure your CBD gummies come from a reputable company that sources its hemp from the United States and uses sustainable farming methods. The CO2 extraction process requires no solvents and protects potency. And a third-party lab guarantees accountability.
Though you may be overwhelmed by the number of CBD products on the market today, you are now armed with the information you need in order to make a solid decision about the CBD gummies that are right for you.
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As a founder and chief author at InsightState.com, Bulgarea Candin helps readers on their spiritual journeys. His writings are designed to inspire creativity and personal growth, guiding readers on their journey to a more fulfilled and enlightened life.