CBD label literacy is a must for anyone who’s shopping for, buying, or consuming CBD oil products. But, understanding what’s included in CBD labeling can be confusing for the uninitiated. Learning how to read a CBD label just takes a little info and practice.
We’re consolidating the basics of reading CBD oil product labels here for you. Familiarize yourself and then spend a bit of time going over the labels of various CBD products. You’ll develop expert-level skills in no time!
CBD oil products are becoming more popular all the time and for good reason. CBD has been shown to have a wide range of uses for supporting health and wellness — including reducing anxiety and inflammation, alleviating pain, improving sleep quality, and more.(1)
But how can you be sure the CBD you're scoping out is likely to do what you hope it'll do? Well, CBD oil labels are a great place to start!
It's important to know that not all CBD oil products are created equal. Different companies will produce different types of CBD oils with different levels of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. This is why it’s critical to read the label and internalize what it's telling you before purchasing any CBD product.
Reading the label can help you determine a host of things like:
Given that you're putting this product into or onto your body — and you probably strive to be the savviest consumer possible — this is valuable info.
These details will help you decide if a particular product is well suited to your needs and preferences and likely to be effective, safe, and a good value.
CBD label design will vary across product lines and brands. No surprise here.
However, there are certain CBD product label requirements mandated by the federal government. And many states have specific additional mandatory CBD labeling inclusions.
All this means you should see more or less the same information and CBD terminology on every legitimate CBD product label — it just might be laid out or formatted differently from one maker to the next.
Federal CBD product label requirements dictate that product labels include the following details.(2) (We'll use Martha Stewart CBD Wellness Gummies as a working example.)
State CBD product label requirements sometimes go above and beyond the federal ones. Some states actually require a scannable QR code or barcode, website address, or other way to access additional details about the CBD product or company.
Similar to what must be on CBD oil product labels, there are things that must not be there. No-nos include:(3)
Failure to properly label CBD products can land CBD makers in hot water legally and shake the trust of consumers. Offenders can get warning letters, fines, and more from various governmental agencies. And noncompliance with labeling rules can turn customers away, which isn’t good for a business that wants to stay in business.
Reading CBD product labels is going to become second nature to you PDQ — if you stick with some simple tips and guidance.
We live in the Information Age, after all!
So, think of a company's other product literature (packaging, inserts, etc.), websites, social content, and videos as “extensions” of the label.
By this, we aren't insinuating that there are the exact same informational requirements for CBD product labels. Rather, we mean that you can mine a ton of useful info from these sources. Use them to your advantage!
Knock-offs are no joke. You need to know what to look for when buying CBD products. When you select real CBD products that are high quality, you can consume them with the confidence that you are getting the stated and or your desired amounts of CBD.
You’ll find your true CBD superstars by following these best practices:
Reading CBD oil product labels is easy if you know what to look for. Labels reveal info you need — like what the product is, how much CBD is in each serving, and more — to help you pick high-quality CBD products that fit your needs and preferences.
Yes. CBD products must be labeled. While CBD product label requirements vary by state, federal rules require that labels include what the product is, how much of the product’s ingredients are in the container, a list of ingredients, and nutritional info.
Numbers you'll see on a CBD product label include: THC content, CBD content, nutritional details, and product size and count. Most of the numbers tell you how CBD-potent the product is per serving and how many doses are in the container. The THC number clues you into whether or not the product is Farm-Bill legal and might yield psychoactive effects.
To ensure you get a high-quality and safe product, you have to do some due diligence. Read labels carefully and verify the CBD against the certificate of analysis. Look for quality ingredients, like CBD made from organic hemp. Only buy products that have been tested by an independent third-party lab. Only purchase from a reputable seller, ideally one that’s earned a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification and offers a strong money-back guarantee. Consider online reviews, ratings, and testimonials as well as recommendations from people you trust.
To say there are plenty of CBD product choices on the market today is perhaps a slight understatement. There are thousands of CBD brands, each offering a plethora of product formulations made with various types of CBD.
Given the array before you, it can quickly get confusing or overwhelming. We’re going to resolve that here and now!
In this post, you’ll learn about:
Before diving into the types of CBD and forms of products, it’s imperative that you have a solid understanding of CBD fundamentals.
CBD (aka cannabidiol) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis plants like hemp and marijuana. Cannabinoids are a kind of plant compound that can support and improve many mental and physical health and wellness conditions.
Everyone has something called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) running throughout their body. The ECS is a network of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Many of your body’s systems and functions — like sleep, metabolism, and immunity — are governed or modulated by the ECS.
Cannabinoids affect changes in your body via the ECS. They interact with the receptors and/or endocannabinoids to send signals to the brain, which then dispatches instructions for how to respond to the rest of your body.
CBD comes in three distinct varieties: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Knowing what’s what will make you a safer and savvier CBD shopper and consumer.
Let’s examine each one more closely.
As the name implies, full-spectrum CBD maintains all aspects of the original CBD extract. Nothing is stripped out of the oil. This means that along with the CBD, there's also other cannabinoids — like THC — as well as terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytocompounds in your CBD oil.
However, it's important to note that full-spectrum CBD may contain more than the federally-legal amount of THC (0.3%). And, since there’s potentially more THC in full-spectrum CBD:
And, because full-spectrum CBD is more natural, it may also retain an earthy smell and taste than more processed types of CBD.
Like full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD features a vast array of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other plant substances. The key difference is that broad-spectrum CBD has undergone additional processing to remove the THC. While there may still be trace amounts of THC loitering in your broad-spectrum CBD oil — there should be no more than 0.3% THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD:
Keep in mind, though, that broad-spectrum CBD might:
CBD isolate has had everything but the cannabidiol — all other cannabinoids and phytocompounds — removed from the extract. So, this means that isolate CBD:
What else should you know about CBD isolate?
The current options are staggering; the possibilities for future CBD products are limitless.
While certain forms are more common than others, you’ll see CBD oil made into the following kinds of products:
• CBD oil tinctures, drops, & water solubles | • CBD softgels and capsules |
• CBD gummies and jellies | • CBD-infused foods (like butter) & beverages |
• CBD chocolates and candies | • CBD lozenges |
• Dissolvable CBD strips | • CBD transdermal patches |
• Topical, oral, and nasal CBD sprays | • CBD topical creams, lotions, roll-ons, and ointments |
• Infused cosmetics | • Infused hair, skin, and other beauty care items |
• CBD Suppositories | • CBD-infused massage oils and personal lubricants |
• CBD flower | • CBD wax |
• Smokable and vapable CBD | • Pet care items |
And this is surely not an exhaustive list!
Nano CBD is CBD that’s been manipulated to reduce the size of the CBD molecule — all while maintaining its structure and capabilities. Nanotech makes it so that the CBD oil is more bioavailable to your body.
Greater bioavailability means your ECS can absorb more CBD and at a faster rate so that your product kicks in quicker and works more effectively. With a more bioavailable CBD, you may be able to use less product — creating exceptional value for you.
Many different brands and product formulations utilize nano CBD.
Different CBD products formulations can be consumed in different ways.
Each form of CBD product has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s up to you to assign those labels based on what you want to achieve. And, your unique body chemistry will influence outcomes as well.
That said, here are some rules of thumb: (2,3,4)
Start by dumping the idea that there’s only one supreme “best” CBD product. Every person and product is different and “results may vary” as they say. And, each type of CBD and product formulation has its pros and cons — though those are subjective to your opinions!
What this means is that you have to:
You don’t have to navigate this all alone. There are tons of high-quality resources at your fingertips (like the GBL Learning Center!) to help you sort everything out. Ask your family and friends for suggestions and check out online reviews. If you want individualized recommendations — especially if you have existing health concerns or are taking medications or supplements — talk to your doctor. There are even cannabinoid medicine specialists, called endocannabinologists, you can turn to.
Perhaps one of the simplest ways to begin is to determine which type of CBD speaks to you. With only three possibilities, that’s a manageable first decision node. Once you know if you want full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, or CBD isolate — move on to picking the product formulation that suits you.
Next, you can weigh the upsides and downsides of various product preparations against the rubric of your needs and preferences. This is sure to eject some forms of CBD products from your list of contenders right away. Of the product formulations remaining on your shortlist, figure out which one(s) best fit your criteria. Then it’s time to go shopping!
Regardless of whether you shop in a virtual marketplace like GBL or at a brick-and-mortar, it’s wise to stick to these guidelines:
When you’re setting out to find “the One,” remember that:
The main thrust here is that there may be bumps in the road. But, with the right mindset (and supporting processes), you’re primed for making headway towards your CBD-wellness goals.
The market is filled with an astounding variety of CBD oil products. Products made with hemp derived CBD with 0.3% or less THC are federally legal; state and local laws can vary. CBD sourced from marijuana is not federally legal, and again state laws very.
There are three types of CBD. Full- and broad-spectrum CBD both have the full complement of cannabinoids and other plant compounds that naturally occur in cannabis plants. The main difference is that the THC’s been removed from broad-spectrum CBD. CBD isolate is pure cannabidiol.
CBD oil extract is formulated into many kinds of products. On the shelves of your favorite online store or neighborhood shop, you'll find CBD-infused tinctures, gummies, creams, bath bombs, and transdermal patches — and everything in between.
There's no one superior type of CBD or product formulation. The goal is to select the CBD product that best meets your needs and preferences. To do this, you may need to do some research and some experimentation.
The three types of CBD are: Full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. Each has its own profile of included plant compounds. Only full- and broad-spectrum CBD contain at least trace amounts of THC. Isolate is pure cannabidiol.
The “best” type of CBD is the one that most optimally aligns with your needs and preferences, which may evolve over time. Pick the product that contains the type of CBD you need and that comes in a form you’ll use.
Start by assessing your needs and preferences and what you want to accomplish by taking CBD. Then opt for CBD products that jibe with your requirements and objectives. It may take some trial and error — and patience! — to find the CBD oil products that work best for you.
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