With each passing day, cannabidiol (CBD) products are becoming increasingly mainstream. Since CBD’s popularity is ever-growing, it’s been attracting investors from around the globe

Unfortunately, with all the good publicity there will inevitably be some bad seeds thrown in the mix. Less than reputable companies are also trying to cash in on the CBD boom by cutting corners and selling low-quality products to customers in need.

It’s important to use the best CBD products possible, especially since it is used exclusively for medical purposes. Below are a few things that you should keep in mind when you shop for CBD, to make sure you’re actually getting what you pay for:

Sourcing

As with anything, CBD quality depends greatly on its source—as in where and how it was grown, and what the particular strain of hemp is. For now, we’ll focus on the “how”, considering it’s the most important factor in this equation. Hemp can easily be grown organically, but some manufacturers opt for cheaper and less healthy farming and production methods to try and boost their bottom line. They will typically use chemical fertilizers and pesticides that end up tarnishing the final product. (Friendly tip – many of the products produced in Europe are of much higher quality than CBD from elsewhere in the world.)

Petroleum-Free Processing

To obtain CBD, the compound needs to be extracted from hemp; and this can be done in a variety of ways. To produce top-quality, CBD-rich products, a safe and organic extraction method should be used, such as supercritical carbon dioxide (liquid CO2).

Petroleum-based extraction is very inexpensive, but it’s also dangerous for both the consumer and the manufacturer. It can leave behind toxic solvents such as propane, hexane, pentane, and butane. Cannabis oil made with toxic solvents like butane produce unsafe residues that can compromise the immune system. That’s very counterproductive for a product that’s supposed to be medicinal.

Check Independent 3rd-Party Lab Results

Many reputable CBD manufacturers supply independent lab results for every batch they produce. Some do not. A company that sends their products out to be tested for quality, cannabinoid content, toxins, pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, mold, etc., and provides those results on their website, is more likely a company you can trust. Another thing to consider is whether your CBD was labeled correctly or not. A recent study published in JAMA states that nearly 70 percent of CBD products sold online are not properly labeled. This is another important reason to shop with a trusted company.

Other ingredients

Many products are made by combining CBD with other ingredients. Make sure you check what’s in the products you’re considering buying. Avoid products with chemical additives. One area of concern lately has been with vape oils. Many companies produce their vape oils with propylene glycol—the same stuff used in antifreeze. Many people are highly sensitive to it and can have problems such as allergic reactions and asthmatic symptoms.

With a little extra research, you can find a brand that only carries the best CBD. Make sure to look for products sourced from organically grown hemp, is extracted via methods which don’t use toxic solvents, and contains only natural ingredients.