Does your hemp containing CBD come with a pedigree? Aspen Green asks this question on their webpage, and for a good reason—a lot of the hemp people use isn’t satisfactorily inspected.
The CBD industry is exploding right now. You can buy CBD oils, tinctures, gummies, and supplements from places like gas stations, smoke shops, and even places like hardware stores! CBD therapy is based on taking small dosages of newly legal hemp- and cannabis-derived supplements. Would you trust your hardware store clerk’s advice on what or how much to take? Probably not.
This leads to the big question: “How do I know if the CBD therapy I’m looking at is legitimate?” Well, according to certified CBD manufacturers like Aspen Green and Ananda, there are a few things to take into consideration.
CBD from Certified USDA Organic Growers
Aspen Green CBD products only come from USDA Organic certified hemp. The USDA certification shows that a hemp product tests below the maximum levels for pesticides, fertilizers, and other additives.
Much of the world’s cheap hemp is grown in China. Chinese farmers use hemp to soak up contaminants and then sell it cheap to interested parties. Many CBD manufacturers that sell ‘value-priced’ products derive their CBD from these Chinese hemp crops. These crops would not pass USDA certification.
The phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ very much applies to CBD products.
Full Spectrum CBD Vs. Broad Spectrum CBD
Most studies on CBD up to this point show an increase in health benefits when CBD is administered in a full spectrum (also known as whole-plant) extract. CBD is not the only thing derived from the hemp plant during extraction. Many other isolates, including THC, are shown to be beneficial when working with CBD. Aspen Green calls this the ‘entourage’ effect.
Broad-spectrum CBD extracts do not include THC, which is a key ingredient for some CBD therapies. There is a lot of ongoing research regarding CBD and extracts including THC, so it is important to talk to a health professional before deciding which spectrum type is right for you.
Taking any supplement without doing some fact-finding can be dangerous. Your pharmacist or doctor will be able to answer some basic questions about taking CBD supplements. Pharmacists are a great short-notice resource. The next time you are picking up a prescription, ask to speak to your pharmacist about CBD for a few minutes.
Legit CBD: Manufacturers Who Share Their Lab Results
Legitimate CBD manufacturers do not take their research lightly. If you visit the websites of companies like Aspen Green or Ananda, you can find lab results.
Lab results on CBD products should include purity standards, pesticide tests, bacteria tests, and USDA organic certification. If you can’t find lab results on a manufacturer’s website but are still interested in their products, be sure to contact them first!
Many CBD products contain inactive ingredients like flavoring or binding agents. Be sure to read all the ingredients of any CBD supplement before you take it!
Aspen Green at Oswald’s Pharmacy
At Oswald’s Pharmacy, we take our CBD seriously. Our pharmacist Hannah wrote a comprehensive blog on CBD last year, addressing CBD questions and concerns. All of the product lines we carry are approved by our pharmacists, who do research on them before we put them on the shelves. We want to make sure our customers are getting high-quality CBD that will help with their needs.
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to address any questions or concerns you have!
