CBD is everywhere, and it seems it’s been infused into almost every product possible. These days you’ll find CBD lotion, CBD bath bombs, and even CBD lube. While there are some unique products out there, most people are interested in CBD oils and edibles, especially gummies.
Because the popularity of CBD has only continued to increase, these products can be found almost anywhere, including at convenience stores, gas stations, and even mall kiosks. While it may be tempting to purchase CBD at one of these locations, the risk may not be worth it.
Here’s what you need to know about purchasing convenience store CBD and what you need to do to ensure you’re buying a high quality product.
Lack of Regulation Increases the Risk of Dangerous Products
As crazy as it may seem, there are very few laws that regulate the CBD industry. The biggest piece of regulation that has been passed that impacts CBD is the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill states that hemp-based CBD is legal in the United States, as long as it contains no more than 0.3% THC.
Despite this bill, there isn’t a federal agency that oversees and regulates CBD to ensure that all products are safe and legal. Because of the lack of regulation, there are unsafe and mislabeled CBD products being sold. More often than not, these products are sold at low prices because of the low quality ingredients.
Mislabeling is a common problem in the CBD industry. In fact, one study found that nearly 70% of CBD products are mislabeled. Of course, this spans beyond convenience stores and gas stations and into the online world.
Low CBD Concentration
People use CBD as a way to get relief and to improve their health. Some try CBD to get better sleep at night while others use it to ease their mind from stress and anxiety. But, the efficiency of a product boils down to the amount of CBD that it contains.
A product may be advertised as having 300mg of CBD in a 30mL bottle, or having 20mg of CBD per gummy. But because of a lack of oversight and regulation, there’s no guarantee that what is advertised is the truth.
Buying a product that contains less CBD than what’s advertised means that you aren’t likely to experience any positive results. This is not only a waste of money, but it causes many people to lose hope in the benefits of CBD
High THC Levels
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, legal CBD products must contain no more than 0.3% THC. While a product may advertise that it contains a low amount of THC, it’s impossible to know if the label is truthful.
One of the biggest reasons that people try CBD is because the cannabinoid doesn’t have psychoactive effects. However, a product that has high levels of THC could have mind altering effects, which could cause a user to unintentionally get high.
Aside from psychoactive effects, high THC content can also lead to many other side effects such as:
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Lowered inhibitions
- Impairment
- Headache/nausea
Taking a CBD product that has more than the legal amount of THC can also cause you to fail a drug test. This can be a huge problem for those who must show a lack of drug use in order to maintain employment. Because most drug tests check for THC, a low quality CBD purchased at a convenience store or gas station could cause you to lose your job.
For this reason alone, it pays to buy a higher quality product. While these products will cost more, there’s no price to put on peace of mind.
Existence of Potentially Harmful Ingredients
There are all sorts of dangers to buying low quality CBD. Most low quality products use non-U.S. grown hemp that is extracted using chemicals. But, where CBD is grown and how it’s extracted plays a huge role in the quality and safety of the product.
CBD grown outside of the U.S. doesn’t have to meet rigorous FDA standards. There’s also an increased chance that the plants are grown using pesticides and GMOs, which can be dangerous for the finalized product.
Many brands that sell cheap CBD products also use a solvent-based extraction process. Butane is one of the most commonly used solvents, but the problem is that these chemicals can seep into the CBD oil. This means that you may consume a product that contains carcinogens and other harmful chemicals!
Take the Time to Find a High Quality Product
While it can be tempting to buy a bottle of CBD while running into the store to grab a few items, the risk simply isn’t worth it. The better option is to look for a premium, high quality product that will offer the benefits that you want.
One of the best places to find high quality CBD is online. There are dozens of trusted names, such as Penguin, that sell top of the line products that are safe and will provide a positive experience.
Do Your Research
But how do you know if you’re purchasing a quality product? The first place to look to learn about a brand is its website. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, check out CBDGrade. This site offers reviews for well-known brands as well as details such as where the hemp is grown, how it’s extracted, and the types of products offered.
After determining that you’ve found a trusted brand, the next step is to review the product’s certificate of analysis (COA). A COA is the only document that details everything about a product, to include the ingredients and the quantity of those ingredients.
With a COA you’ll know how much CBD and THC a product contains, along with the existence and amount of terpenes, flavonoids, along with the existence of any harmful compounds.
If a product hasn’t been third party tested, there’s no way to confirm that what you’re buying is what’s advertised. The safest option is to only purchase products that have been tested. This way you know exactly what you’re putting into your body.
Conclusion
Don’t let convenience store CBD products be a temptation! Chances are that you’re buying a low quality product that won’t offer the benefits that you want. there’s also an increased risk that the product could be harmful due to a lack of testing.
If you’re in the market for CBD, do your due diligence by researching and taking the time to confirm that you’re buying a worthwhile product. This way you can get the relief you seek and improve your overall health with a quality product.