THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

The Farm Bill of 2018 has removed hemp from the list of Category 1 substances now classifying it as a crop.  So now instead of hemp cultivation limited to farms that had to be approved first following very strict guidelines, it can now be grown by anyone with inspection to follow.  With the anticipated increase in the number of farms, there will be difficulty in regulating all of them, creating an even larger opportunity for the consumer to be at risk.

As we were cautioned, “It’s a Wild, Wild West” out there.  Here’s how to tell the bad guys from the good guys.

  • Read the label to make sure you know what you are paying for. Look for the level of active cannabinoids grown from PCR hemp.  This should be one of the first things listed on the label. Make sure they are not selling you hemp seed oil which has no CBD.  Many companies have the word “CBD’ on their brand name, but have none in their product.
  • Choose a full-spectrum CBD that includes all the other beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes and less than 0.3% THC, which  makes it legal in all 50 states. Full-spectrum CBD contains all the other beneficial compounds providing a synergistic effect (learn more).
  • If your employer requires drug testing, or you have concerns about THC, choose a full-spectrum that is THC free but still contains the other benefits.
  • Ask for a COA (certificate of analysis). It will list what is in the product (mg of cbd, carrier oil, terpenes) and what is not present (pesticides, mold, bacteria and chemicals)
  • Look for a quality carrier oil such as MCT (coconut), hemp seed, or emu. No corn syrup, GMO’s or anything artificial.
  • Make sure the CBD is farmed in the USA (at an approved farm). Hemp is a  bio accumulator, which means it can draw toxins from the soil.  Other countries use hemp to clean their soil, and then these chemicals remain in the hemp.

Also, the use of stalk or seed is a red flag of a poor product as cbd is only found in resin rich flowers and leaves.

  • Look at the extraction process and avoid those that use toxic solvents. CO2 and ethanol are safe methods. (learn more)
  • We are following Indiana’s QR code, which is the standard in the industry (Senate Enrolled Act). It requires basic information:  batch #, expiration date, ingredients, independent lab analysis, any heavy metals and pesticides.  Our COA product code number will be provided and can be accessed on our website.  
  • Check the address of the testing lab with that of the company, which should not be the same) Testing should be third party from a certified lab. Many labels (up to 80%) were found to be inaccurate. Some full spectrum labeled products were not found to be actually full-spectrum, suggesting they were made from just isolate.

    Disclaimer

    Disclaimer: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this disclaimer. We collected this information from various sources for the convenience of our customers. The Food and Drug Administration did not evaluate the statements made regarding these products. The efficacy of these products is not confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information presented here is not meant as a substitute for information from health care practitioners. It is also not intended as an alternative to information from health care practitioners. Before using any product, you should consult your doctor and ask about the risk of interactions or complications.