There are currently no requirements for lab testing in the CBD business, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. There are thousands of products out there being marketed as high quality hemp, but how do you know for sure? Here are 3 reasons we believe lab testing is key when choosing between hemp oils, salves, and other products:
- CBD and THC content
We’ve talked to folks who have purchased their CBD at a gas station, or on Amazon, only to find the effects were minimal or non-existent- was there any CBD in it at all? Some products out there may have very little CBD or none at all. We recommend checking the mg per mL content and comparing it to the lab results.
We’ve also talked to people whose main concern is that the THC percentage will be too high (pun intended). A full spectrum product should have small amounts of THC in order to be effective, but it should be under .3%.
All of these worries can be put to rest with a simple set of lab results, where you can look at the CBD and THC percentages, along with the full cannabinoid and terpene profile.
- Toxins
During the growing process, there is a possibility for toxins and heavy metals to make their way into your hemp. That’s why it’s important to look for a company who sends their products to a third party lab for testing. Most reputable companies have their hemp products tested for heavy metals, pesticides, and residual solvents.
Since hemp is something lots of people are using to improve their overall health, adding toxins or pesticides into the mix may have the opposite effect.
- Transparency
Why do all of this when it’s not required? In such a fast-growing industry with few regulations, it’s important to add transparency whenever possible. Many people purchase CBD hemp tinctures and salves with their health in mind, or the health of a loved one, and lots of consumers are fairly new to the world of hemp. All of these factors put the buyer in a potentially vulnerable place.
When you’re looking for something to improve your wellbeing or lifestyle, you want the purest, most reliable product out there. At the moment, there are no rules requiring CBD products to undergo lab testing. Although most products provide the milligrams per milliliter information on the packaging, the only way to verify it is to ask for the lab tests.
Things to look for:
One practice we adopted early on was placing a QR code on our tinctures and salves. It’s a small code that, when you hover over it with your phone’s camera, will take you straight to the lab results. If you notice a QR code on a product you’re considering, try it. You’ll be able to review the lab results without even clicking through to a website.
If you’re purchasing online, look for a “lab results” page, or email the company. For an example, check out our lab results page here: https://greenriverbotanicals.com/lab-tests/#lab-tests
No matter what CBD hemp oil, salve, or other product you decide on, we highly recommend getting lab results first. With so many options out there, this is a great way to narrow your choices and choose the best one for you.
