Leafly created a test of 47 different Hemp Based products, and what they found is that consumers biggest concern is knowing whether they got the CBD they paid for. 

They discovered that 23 out of 47 products did not deliver the CBD dose shown on the label within a 20% variance, and 5 of the products contained no CBD at all. 

After getting to these results, how do we know for certain that the CBD we are purchasing is true to their label and not a scam?

CBD experts have come up with a few different ways. 

1. Buy online or from a trusted vendor

Some of the lowest performing CBD products came from gas stations, surf shops and convenience stores. Any store that is focused on something other than health and wellness products, unless it’s a trusted brand. Products that were purchased directly from a manufacturers online website had shown to be the most consistent with their labels and amount of CBD delivered. 

2. MUST HAVE: Third-party test results

Third-party lab results are done by independent labs, they prove the potency and purity of each batch used to make the specific product. 

Some of the most transparent CBD companies print a QR code on their packaging, which scanning it with your smart phone can bring up the lab results within seconds. 

3. Look for established companies

Leafly investigation found that states experienced in legal cannabis were shown to have the highest-quality CBD products. Early legalized states such as Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, California, and Colorado. Where the industry is more developed with the best growers and extraction methods. Most of these brands are looking to become longterm trusted brands, and not just trying to make a quick dollar. 

4. Process Transparency

Find a company that is transparent about their seed to sale process.  From farming practices to extraction methods, and how your product is handled up until the point that it arrives in your hands.

5. Trust your instinct: Packaging

Look for clean packaging, something that looks like medicine or vitamins, showing that it is made with thoughtfulness. These companies care about their consumers, and trust their product enough to not have to use popping packaging with rainbow colors, cannabis leaves, and big fonts. 

6. Sourcing Organic ingredients

If a company is going through the effort of sourcing organic ingredients, there’s a good chance that all other ingredients and potency are thought out as well. 

7. Delivery methods

Some delivery methods are better than others when it comes to bioavailability. This study found that bottled CBD water is the least reliable cannabinoid delivery method. Edibles, such as gummies, were the most reliable as to the promised dose on the packaging. While CBD oils and tinctures came out first on the scale of bioavailability. 

8. Price matters

You get what you pay for when it comes to CBD. Producing quality CBD products is long and expensive. If you end up buying the cheapest CBD products on the shelves, there’s a chance you may not be getting any CBD at all.