It is often said that not all CBD is created equal. So what should you look for when buying yours? Here are 7 things to know before buying CBD.
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Lab testing information
Has the product been tested by a third-party lab? If so, then the results should be available to you as a consumer. These are key for you to get unbiased knowledge of the oil’s content. Does it reflect the same amount of cannabinoids as advertised, and are there any contaminants present?
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Legal THC limit Coherence
Does the product contain the legal limit of THC? Although CBD products are legal in South Africa, there are restrictions on the amount of THC allowed for consumption. In South Africa, the legal limit is <0.001% THC.
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Ingredients
It’s always important to know what you’re putting into your body. What are the ingredients listed on the label? Look up any that you don’t recognise or can’t pronounce, and Google should be able to tell you whether they’re safe or not.
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Hemp Cultivation
Where and how was the hemp cultivated? It is important to know whether it was grown to meet defined standards of cultivation practices on accredited farms, and without the use of any pesticides or GMOs.
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Types of CBD
What kind of CBD does the product contain - Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum or Isolate? You should research beforehand which of these best suits your needs in order to determine what you want to purchase.
Full Spectrum CBD oil contains all the phytochemicals of the plant including CBD, flavonoids, terpenes, essential oils, and THC.
Broad Spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant except for THC, which is removed during the initial extraction.
CBD Isolate contains solely CBD and no other phytochemicals.
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Correct Dosage Amount
We always say “start low, go slow”, as dosage is entirely personal. You and your body will decide your preferred amount of drops. The South African legal dosage amount is 20mg per day.
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CBD Extraction and Distillation Process
How was the CBD extracted? Extraction and distillation are both important factors in the quality of the oil. There are several methods of extraction but the most common are CO2 Extraction, Steam Distillation, Hydrocarbon Solvent Extraction and Natural Solvent Extraction.
It is important that you equip yourself with knowledge around all the points listed above to ensure that the CBD you choose will provide the experience best suited to you and your needs.