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Before you buy: What you need to know before purchasing CBD products for yourself and your pets
Füss & Friends • September 28, 2021
Before you buy: What you need to know before purchasing CBD products for yourself and your pets.
Hemp derived CBD can be purchased online, in many grocery stores and your local drug store. Cannabis derived CBD must be purchased from a licensed dispensary.
We have summed up the key differences in hemp derived CBD products and cannabis derived CBD products are:
- The Effectiveness - Cannabis represents a richer source of cannabinoids and terpenes than industrial hemp.
- Safety -Hemp plants are bioaccumulators, so they absorb toxins such as residual pesticides and heavy metals from soil. When CBD is extracted from large quantities of industrial hemp cultivated in non-organic conditions, there is a possibility that contaminant residue will be passed into the final product.
- Regulations -The hemp-derived CBD market is not yet subject to a widely enforced regulatory framework. In states where cannabis-derived CBD products are available from licensed dispensaries, there is greater regulation of these products. All are subjected to stringent testing from licensed facilities and you can rest assured that these products are free from toxins and have the claimed percentage of cannabinoids.
Diving in deeper to the concern about effectiveness:
Cannabis represents a richer source of cannabinoids and terpenes than industrial hemp because it contains significantly more resin. Resin is the sticky, gooey substance found on female cannabis flowers, and to a lesser extent, on its leaves. Hemp contains resin on the flowers and leaves too, but much less. Most industrial hemp cultivators need to grow large quantities of hemp to produce CBD oil, although there are now more CBD-rich hemp strains being cultivated.
Cannabis tends to have a wider terpene and cannabinoid profile than hemp. Cannabis-derived CBD from whole plant extract contains a range of beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids, including THC. These compounds work in concert with each other to provide additional benefits. This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect, and many cannabis experts assert that whole plant extracts offer greater therapeutic potential.
However, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum hemp-derived CBD products may not have the potency of CBD derived from cannabis because trace amounts of THC appear to be less effective in treating certain symptoms.
Is safety really an issue? CBD products sourced from tainted hemp can compromise safety and efficacy. Where and how the CBD is sourced has a major effect on contamination levels. A lack of stringent local regulations surrounding the production and refinement of hemp can lead to highly contaminated final products. For instance, in China there are few regulations enforced on the agricultural industry, leading to the production of hemp-based CBD products that tend to contain high levels of contaminants. Studies have shown that, due to the country's mining activities, the water and soil in some regions of China are contaminated with heavy metals. These contaminants manifest as toxins within hemp that can potentially taint CBD oil sourced from these plants. In order to remove the risk of ingesting contaminated CBD, it is safer to consume hemp-based products that are grown without chemical pesticides, and tested by a third party.
Are regulations really needed? The hemp-derived CBD market is not yet subject to a widely enforced regulatory framework. For this reason, it’s essential to do your homework when buying hemp-derived CBD.
Look out for hemp-derived CBD that has been third-party tested. Products that have undergone this have been checked by an independent group outside of the producer using industry-approved techniques. The tester verifies the cannabinoid content of the product, along with contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, or microbes.
Leafly’s investigation on CBD tested 47 products and found that almost half of them didn’t come within 20% of the labeled dosage. Third party testing confirms that the promised CBD content is present.
You can also look for hemp-derived CBD products with a USDA organic certification. This affirms that the growing conditions meet official USDA organic standards, and also provides assurance that the hemp extraction process was free of synthetic chemical additives.
In states where cannabis-derived CBD products are available from licensed dispensaries, there is greater regulation of these products. All are subjected to stringent testing from licensed facilities and you can rest assured that these products are free from toxins and have the claimed percentage of cannabinoids.
Is all CBD created equal?
In a perfect world it should be, but since Hemp-derived CBD is considered a supplement, there is no required testing to be completed in order to put these products on the market. This leads to having products on the market with inaccurate potency claims, and toxic levels of heavy metals and pesticides. Simply put, a supplement company can put anything on the label without having to verify it. CBD derived from cannabis, used in licensed cannabis dispensaries, are state regulated to provide accurate label claims, potency, pesticide, and heavy metal testing and more. If the Certificate of Analysis (COA) does not pass all state required testing, the product can NOT be sold in dispensaries and must be destroyed.
As pet owners, we are constantly seeking the best care and well-being for our beloved furry companions. With the growing interest in alternative pet therapies, cannabis-derived CBD has emerged as a powerful tool in the pet wellness industry.
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