These days, you can find CBD products anywhere from gas stations to Whole Foods. But ubiquitous though they may be, they are not all created equal. Indeed, they’re not even all manufactured to be safe to ingest.
The
FDA does not regulate CBD products, which means there’s no oversight or requirement that the product itself matches the label. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association,
70% of unregulated CBD products don’t actually contain the amount of CBD their labeling claims. Some had only trace amounts, while others were found to contain
illicit synthetic cannabis and no CBD at all.
So how can you be sure you’re getting what you came for?
Hello, dispensary.
If you live in a regulated cannabis state, dispensary CBD is:
- Rigorously tested for potency, purity, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials.
- Meticulously labeled so you know exactly what’s inside.
Mold, pesticides, and heavy metals can all end up in CBD from the unregulated market, and ingesting these chemicals over time can cause serious illness – even cancer, which is ironic since many people buy CBD for cancer-related symptoms.
Even
creams and topicals can contain toxic chemicals that enter your bloodstream. Without regulation, there’s no way to know what’s really in them.
Another advantage to buying from dispensaries is access to
full-spectrum CBD products. While some hemp CBD extracts are stripped down, dispensaries often carry lab-tested, whole-plant formulations that provide the
entourage effect — the synergy of CBD with terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids for maximum relief.
So why leave your health up to chance? Get tested-and-true CBD from
your favorite dispensary. And don’t forget: trained
budtenders are there to guide you toward the best product for your unique needs.
Bottom line: Buy gas at the gas station. Buy CBD at your local dispensary.
