A Guide to Shopping for the Best CBD Products
With each passing day, it appears that a new cannabis strain is born. Each one has a name that’s wackier than the last. With the massive influx of new strains that offer different effects, distinguishing them can be an impossible task. You can’t go out and smoke them all.
This makes it a challenge when shopping for cannabidiol products. Names like Purple Monkey Balls and Cat Piss don’t tell you much about what's in them.
So, how do you decide which strain is right for you or which will be a best-seller in your CBD shop? The process might seem complicated if you don't know the ins and outs of the cannabis industry.
Why should you buy CBD?
In 2021, the global CBD market was worth a whopping €5 billion. With the popularity of cannabis products growing every day, we can expect this number to keep climbing.
If done right, buying into the CBD market will give you a profitable business that will continue to grow. The cannabis trade shows no signs of slowing down, so jumping on the bandwagon now could lead to a great asset. It turns out money can grow on trees. New legislation is making it easier for growers to grow, buyers to sell, and users to smoke.
To do it well, you have to make sure you are supplying the right products. While CBD is legal in many countries, there is still strict legislation you have to think about.
Getting it from a reputable supplier will save you from any legal hassles and keep you in the market. You also want to make sure you supply a high-quality product that is popular among stoners and medical users.
We don’t want you to buy CBD that could be illegal, or just not work at all. To help you out, we have compiled a handy guide. Follow these five steps to keep the best cannabidiol on your shelves (or in your pipe).
1. Find a reputable supplier that carries a certificate of analysis
With the sheer number of cannabidiol suppliers popping up nowadays, it can be hard to keep up. Trust in a supplier needs to be built, and this can only be done through first-hand experience. This could leave you with a poor quality product, or worse.
Before you place that first order, be sure the company you are dealing with can provide you with a COA:
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
In a perfect world, we could trust every claim a company makes. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect world.
That’s why documents like the Certificate of Analysis exist. When buying CBD, especially for your own business, the COA is the most important document to look out for.
This certificate basically outlines the content and quality of the CBD a company is supplying.
The various sections of the COA will outline:
- Cannabinoid content - This will detail how much CBD and THC are present, as well as other cannabinoids such as Cannabinol (CBN) and Cannabigerol (CBG).
- Possible contaminants in the form of pesticides or microbes.
- Any exposure to heavy metals or other harmful chemicals.
As you can see, a certificate of analysis will answer many of the questions you may have. It is a way of backing up the company’s claims so you know you are being supplied with a perfect product.
It’s important to note that a COA must come from a trustworthy third-party laboratory. Learn more about accreditation standards on the ISO website.
If you are in Switzerland or the European Union, take a look at our products over here. Swiss Premium Pollen provides you with a complete certificate of analysis for each product.
2. Ensure your cannabidiol is coming from a legitimate source.
Imagine this scenario: you own a CBD store that supplies to elderly people recovering from cancer treatments. You get a new batch of oil from a first-time supplier whom you didn’t vet.
Once the supply has all been sold, you start getting complaints from long-time customers. Your CBD made them high.
While the above scenario is pretty unlikely, you don’t want to be responsible for any mishaps resulting from products you supplied. The road to being a CBD supplier is paved with strict regulation, but there are always bad apples that slip through the cracks.
This is why it is extremely important to make sure the CBD you are buying is in accordance with local laws. The certificate of analysis can help to determine how much of each compound is present.
But which compound do you focus on?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or more specifically, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive element in cannabis plants. It is still considered a narcotic drug in most places around the world. Too much of this and you will have a legal problem on your hands.
So, how much is too much? If you want to buy or supply in the European Union, the THC content must be below 0.2 %. The European Parliament recently voted to have the limit increased to 0.3 %, but this only comes into effect in January 2023. This also varies from region to region in the EU.
Switzerland is a little bit more lenient with their cannabis laws. They allow a maximum THC content of 1%. This higher content enhances the effects of CBD, thanks to the “entourage effect”. The Swiss are far ahead with marijuana regulation and because of this, they are becoming the central hub of the CBD market.
Swiss Premium Pollen supplies CBD to both Switzerland and the European Union. We supply 1% or lower THC to Switzerland, while ensuring the EU is only supplied with 0.2% THC products.
3. Potency of CBD
Cannabidiol is being used to treat a wide range of ailments, from mental disorders to chronic pain and disease. More research is being done to prove its efficacy, but there are many first-hand accounts of how useful it can be.
Depending on what needs to be treated, potency can vary greatly. Take a look at the CBD percentage on a certificate of analysis to get an idea of how potent the product is.
Every person reacts differently to CBD, so potency is dependent on their needs. It's best to start with a smaller dose and work your way up to find the most effective dosage for you.
Side effects like fatigue and sleepiness can plague you, so it's beneficial to find what works for you.
If you want to supply CBD, it's a good idea to stock a wide range of products that are varied in their CBD content. This way, you will have something for all of your customers' cannabidiol needs.
4. Types of CBD
It is also important to know what type of CBD you are dealing with. Some users are subjected to drug tests and require a product that is completely free of THC. Others want the most THC they can get for the strongest effects.
Look out for these different terms when buying cannabidiol:
- Full-spectrum: This is CBD containing all the compounds in marijuana, including varying levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
- Broad-spectrum: This will contain all the compounds in cannabis, except for THC.
- Isolate: This is pure cannabidiol, isolated without any of the other compounds.
Cannabidiol containing greater amounts of THC and other cannabinoids will be stronger and more effective than an isolate. When being drug-tested, there is no guarantee that isolated cannabidiol won't result in a positive test.
5. CBD products to look out for
The insane number of cannabidiol brands out there has led to thousands of different products for users to choose from. From gummy bears to CBD lubricant, there is something for everyone.
The problem is that not all of these work, so how do you separate the gimmicks from the real deal?
Take a look at these popular products to see what the market really wants:
CBD Flowers
Some people like cannabidiol in its natural form. CBD flowers are pure hemp buds grown to have trace amounts of THC.
CBD Oil
CBD oil, otherwise known as a tincture, is the easiest and healthiest way to consume cannabidiol. A dropper is used to put a small dose on the tongue, in food, or somewhere on your body. Also, look out for CBD crumble. This is an oil made to have a waxy consistency.
CBD Rocks
Also known as "moon rocks", these are a great way to get a potent dose of cannabidiol in a smaller package.
CBD Pollen
Cannabidiol pollen has become popular as it is easy to consume and perfect for sprinkling over your food.
To get more information about these products, take a look over here.
Don’t get high off your own supply
As you can see, buying cannabidiol doesn’t have to be a complicated process. All you have to do is make sure you are supplied with a safe and legal product that will sell. And if you are buying for resale, don’t smoke all of it!
