Lifestyle
Where to Buy CBD Oil?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is used for a variety of reasons. Some people use it for anxiety/depression. Some people use it for insomnia. Some people use it for epileptic seizures. Some people even give it to their pets- for many of the same reasons. However, there are so many options on the market, how do you know what to buy and where to buy it?
In this article, we’re going to explain the options for where to buy CBD oil. Then, we’ll get into a few steps to help you make sure that you’re getting a quality product.
4 Main Places to Buy CBD Oil
There are four main places where you can get CBD oil. These are:
- Online stores
- Dispensaries
- Brick and mortar stores
- CBD company website
Below, we’ll take a closer look at these.
Online Marketplaces
Most of the CBD products on the market are sold via online marketplaces. This is a convenient, secure way to get your hemp- derived and other CBD-based products delivered right to your front door. If you do choose to shop at one of these online marketplaces, chances are they are going to offer a variety of options for you to choose from.
In an online marketplace, there will likely be a variety of brands and a variety of variations within each brand. Basically, you will be able to survey the landscape of the CBD market with the tap of a finger.
Another reason that people choose online marketplaces is because they can browse through customer reviews either on the marketplace, link to the company’s website, or even connect with them via social media. This will give you an idea of how trustworthy a particular brand is. If there are several complaints on a particular vendor, that’s a red flag.
If you choose to order your CBD products online, you must first be sure you are familiar with the advantages/disadvantages of the product. Finally, pay close attention because there are some companies that will make claims that are not exactly true. Some of them simply skirt around the truth and others will just make statements that are outright lies. If you are an informed consumer, you don’t have to worry about falling victim to that.
Dispensaries
You will also find that many of the medical cannabis dispensaries are now also offering CBD products. In the United States, most of the dispensaries must operate under certain health/safety standards. Background checks are conducted on all owners and staff members and the dispensaries must meet certain licensing guidelines and security requirements.
You will not need a card to purchase hemp-derived CBD oil, that is 0.3% or less THC concentration. However, in order to purchase cannabis-derived CBD oil, a patient must have certification from a physician who has been registered with the medical-marijuana program of that state.
That being said, not all states have medical marijuana laws. Make sure that you are always following the rules in your state.
If you choose to purchase from a dispensary, it’s a good idea to visit one and get as much info as you can regarding whether their products have been through clinical trials through third-party testing.
Brick and Mortar Stores
Another option for purchasing CBD and hemp oil is at brick and mortar, that is retail stores. This includes smoke shops, nutrition stores, and sometimes, CBD companies themselves will have storefronts. This allows you to see and physically touch the products, as well as interact with the associates to learn more about the products.
If you want to make sure that you choose a high-quality, reputable CBD company to purchase from, you want to make sure that you are asking lots of questions. One of the most important ones to ask is about their third-party results. This will tell you a lot about the product and the company. After all, a reputable company is going to be willing to invest the money to gain their customers’ trust.
CBD Company Stores
Many times, in the health food stores or smoke shops, they will have a variety of CBD oil options. However, if you have done your research and you know what company you want to purchase from, you can often visit the company’s website and purchase directly from them.
How to Buy CBD
The lack of regulations surrounding CBD increase the likelihood of purchasing a low-quality product. There are 4 steps for buying CBD. This is actually a fairly easy process, but it can be confusing if you’re just getting started. We’ll explore the steps for buying CBD below.
Understand the basics
There are two types of CBD:
- Hemp-derived (less than 0.3% THC)
- Marijuana-derived (greater than 0.3% THC)
Decide What You Want/Need
There are several factors you’ll want to consider when deciding on a CBD product to purchase.
- Taste
- Cost
- Time to take effect
- Ease of use
- Concentration
Taste
For some, this doesn’t really matter. On the other hand, others place a lot of importance on it. This is a completely personal decision. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:
- Pastes, concentrates, and other strong CBD products have an earthy flavor.
- Vape juices, tinctures, and oils may have added flavors- and many of these are artificial
- Topicals and capsules are your best option if you don’t want to taste anything at all.
Cost
It’s important to keep in mind that, in the world of CBD, cheap may actually indicate that a product is inferior. Some of them may be impure and others are total rip-offs. On the other hand, a high price tag does not indicate that it’s better either. There are some companies that will inflate their prices to make them seem better.
Time to Take Effect
Some people want relief that is almost immediate, while others prefer a slow, long-lasting release. Some people want a combination. Here are some examples:
Vaping takes effect right away- but the body processes it quickly, so effects don’t typically last more than an hour or so. Since edibles and capsules are broken down in the stomach instead of passing through the bloodstream from the lungs, it takes longer to take effect- but will also last longer. However, the effects are not as strong.
Ease of Use
When it comes to using CBD, every method of administration is fairly easy. However, some are easier than others. For example, taking a pill or applying a cream is much easier than vaping. After all, with vaping, you need a vaporizer and you must learn how to use it, put the oil in it, buy the oil, clean it, etc. Some believe tinctures are the best option because you just need to place a couple of drops under your tongue and the bottles are small and discreet.
Concentration
Concentration is important because it shows the purity of the product. Pay close attention because some labels will have the concentration expressed in total milligrams per bottle, some will have it as milligrams per dose, and others will have it as a percentage. You need to know how much CBD you are getting when you are using a product. If you are just starting out, you probably want a lower concentration than someone that has been using it for a long time.
Choose Your Product Type
As we have mentioned, there are several different ways you can use CBD.
- Inhalation
- Topical
- Sublingual
- Ingestion
Find a Reputable Company
CBD is a big business and unfortunately, there are a lot of untrustworthy companies who have hopped on the bandwagon. However, it’s fairly easy to tell the difference between a legitimate company and one that is a scam. A legitimate company will have:
- Less than 0.3% THC
- GMP-Certified logo
- Positive customer reviews
- No unreasonable/unproven claims
- Phone number that they actually answer
Once you have gone through these steps, you can choose a company and make your purchase.
Conclusion
There are many people who prefer a more natural solution to what ails them and many times, CBD can be that option. However, there are so many different things going on in the world of CBD, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Just keep in mind the 4 main places you can purchase CBD oil and other products- and then consider the steps to make sure you choose a quality product, and you can’t go wrong.