CBD oil is becoming increasingly popular the world over—if the 6.4 million Google searches on the product are anything to go by. More and more people are becoming aware of the immense benefits the oil has to offer, both to human beings and animals. Acne, anxiety and pain relief are just some of the oil’s many uses.
It makes sense why many people are taken by this oil and feel it’s a must have in their medicine cabinets!
But the general public aren’t the only people capitalising on the booming industry; so are unscrupulous companies and cannabis growers. The number of fake CBD oil products are concerning. This is why we’re here to give you the factors to look out for when you shop online for CBD oil. That’s the only way to expect desired results from the CORRECT product.
Let’s get started.
Understand Why You Need CBD Oil
The first and probably most important thing to consider before you shop online for CBD oil is to understand why exactly you need it. Identify your medical condition and consult a qualified medical practitioner on whether the oil is appropriate for you and how to use it correctly. This will help you make informed decisions when buying.
Reputation Matters
Once you’ve cleared that up with your GP, pay attention to the sites you visit. What’s the site’s reputation? Buying from fly-by-night sites is a recipe for disaster. Be wary of new sites with no customer reviews on the product, a young domain age and poor spelling & grammar.
Chances are that such sites will sell you inferior products. Verify if their contact information is legit by calling or sending an email. This way you’re guaranteed some degree of accountability. Stick to trusted and reputable sites with numerous online reviews.
Check the Price
It’s often believed that when something is too good to be true, then it usually is. When you shop online for CBD oil you must check the price. Genuine CBD oil doesn’t come cheap. To lure customers, underhanded sellers might offer extremely low prices for their products.
Don’t think you’ve hit the jackpot if you see cheaply priced CBD oil on the site. You WILL get what you pay for. Low prices usually mean that poor extraction process were used to attain the oil. The end result is cheap quality oil that offers little to no benefits.
Check the Ingredients
The right CBD oil doesn’t give you that addictive “high” found in cannabis oil. This is because it doesn’t contain THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). When shopping for CBD oil, you must be vigilant and start reading ingredients. If it does contain THC, the amounts should be less than 0.3% or else you must avoid it at all costs.
Asking for laboratory results from the company should help you ascertain this.
Check the Labels
Aside from cross-checking the ingredients, you must also read the labels. Does the label mention the type of plants and how it’s farmed? Organically farmed is usually safer and better, resulting in optimum benefits.
Is the CBD Oil Certified?
Granted, CBD oil isn’t FDA approved. But that doesn’t mean that the product shouldn’t be tested for human consumption. Where possible, check to see if the company selling the oil has a certificate of analysis (COA) or other certifications.
This is basically a document from a third party testing institution confirming the product’s specifications and concentration. It should easily be available on request and trustworthy sites are always ready to share this information.
What Are the Site’s Claims on CBD Oil?
As mentioned, companies go all out to sell their products. If the price isn’t low, then the claims may be a little over the top. It’s in your best interests to check for unverified claims. CBD oil does offer many health benefits. But if the site claims that the oil can ‘’cure” certain diseases, then we advise you to think twice before making a purchase.
Yes, the oil is known to alleviate certain symptoms associated with different medical conditions. But if the website makes unrealistic claims, you’re bound to be disappointed.
Check Where the Hemp is Grown
Know that hemp plants easily absorb everything in the ground. That’s why it’s important to investigate the place where the plant is grown. Naturally, hemp plants grown in high quality soil will produce high quality oil. Hemp plants grown on mercury or lead laden soil? Not so much.
Feel free to send an email or call the company to retrieve the name of the place where their products are cultivated. Remember, where your health is concerned, you should ask as many questions as you want before making a purchase. It’s your right.
Check if the Site is Secure
When purchasing your oil—or any product for that matter—online, always check if the site is secure. Buying the wrong oil won’t be the only thing you have to worry about if you partner with the wrong supplier. You risk being scammed out of your hard-earned money.
Also read up on policies for returns so you know your rights.
Final Word
After all is said and done, we strongly urge you to be extra careful. Online shopping can be very tricky business. Do your due diligence before committing to a purchase. Research the company selling the product online. Read up on reviews and even view pictures loaded via the company’s social media pages. Generally, the more information the site has, the better. That way you can better make an informed decision about who you’ll trust as a supplier.
Stay clear from sites that have numerous chat bots and little to zero human interaction. It’s better to get the information you need, be it COAs or other feedback, from an actual person. An email address and contact number are valuable in this case.
With that said, are you confident enough to shop online for CBD oil and make the right purchase? Let us know if you have any thoughts or questions on the matter. We’re happy to assist with any concerns.
Image by R + R Medicinals on Unsplash
