We are currently in 2021. Just three years ago in 2018 Congress legitimized CBD oil at the federal level. This is actually a backwards scenario from CBD’s cousin, marijuana, which is illegal federally while various states are legitimizing its use.
CBD legalization opened the door for many businesses hoping to thrive. However, along with these companies, so comes along scammers and frauds. The question that is keeping many consumers from taking a plunge is simple; how to you tell the difference between what’s legit and what’s a scam.
Even if there’s a brand that we don’t like, there are plenty of brands out there that we trust with what they say we deliver. We can trust that a McDonald’s hamburger is going to taste the same every time. Few of us would be surprised by the taste of Diet Coke so long as it’s not three years old. A new Ford will most likely work as expected; and if not most new cars have warranties.
However, these industries are decades old. They are established. The CBD industry is less than 5 years old. There are no CBD companies names that have earned the rapport that Coke, McDonald’s and Ford. Therefore, it’s safe to say that, for the most part, it’s going to be pretty difficult for a consumer to tell the difference between a legit brand/product and something fly by night.
Word is that the FDA is in the midst of establishing more regulations regarding CBD. Until then, the industry is much like the Wild West. The main rule to follow is that the THC level has to be lower than .3%. Right now, so long as this rule is abided by, anything else goes. For now.
Large and small retail solutions have been reluctant to distribute CBD brands before more stringent regulations begin. One person I’ve spoken with told me that he sold a friend’s CBD line on his website (a site geared towards other products). Though the CBD product line was legitimate, his insurance dropped him without question due to the stigma and potential liability of CBD. Immediately he took the CBD products off of his site and obtained new insurance.
Today’s Solution: 3rd Party Testing
Third party testing is a side industry of CBD that attempts to determine the legitimacy of products while we await more stringent regulation. The name mainly speaks for itself: a third party tests the product among various criteria to establish legitimacy and readiness for the market.
The testing operation can test at various points during production. They can test for chemicals used in the growth process. It may test for extra ingredients. One of the most vital metrics for testing is the amount of CBD and THC. Most products that you purchase will in face have THC in them. The question is, is it that amount specified.
Because you’re dealing with plant, whose very nature is to defy all aspect of control, it cannot be too difficult to understand that there is an infinite chasm of elements that can bring a 400mg product to 399 mg or even 410mg. Try to imagine the likely hood that a bottle of CBD that is supposed to have .3% THC accidentally slips to .301%. FYI, if the THC goes beyond .3%, the ENTIRE crop must be destroyed. Again, if the THC goes beyond .3%, the ENTIRE crop must be destroyed.
In my opinion, a company who volunteers for third party testing is already a step above the rest. They are ready to lay their cards on the table. You can expect such an operation to be striving for integrity in what they deliver to you. Therefore, as you search online and in stores, keep an eye out for companies that announce that they do third party testing.
Over time, as processes improve, a 400mg bottle is more likely to deliver exactly what it says. Legit operations are most likely the ones that volunteer for testing, as well as continue to maximize efficiency. Therefore, we hope and expect that the industry will become trusted. A legit operation is going to welcome the rules that are to come in that it will rid the marketplace of those that bring about stigma and consumer reluctance.
