From seed to sale

A great CBD oil will contain a combination of terpenes—cannabinoids unique to the strain of hemp from which it is derived. Read up to see where your CBD comes from—in terms of farms and strains, to ensure it was bred for a robust cannabinoid profile, while keeping THC below 0.3%.

Fortunately, hemp thrives easily outdoors without the use of pesticides. Look for brands that purposefully partner with American farmers whose land is “virgin”, meaning previously uncultivated or completely free of harsh chemical use. And the more local the better—we believe CBD companies should support their local communities, including the farmers they work closest to. 

Harvesting hemp is long, hard work. To ensure consistency, farmers harvest all plants around the same time and hang the plants to dry for several months. Farms should have measures to control moisture in their drying facilities—ensuring the purest possible product. Make sure the CBD company you choose inspects and tests raw hemp material for mold and other contaminants before moving into extraction.

CBD oil can be made via CO2 or ethanol extraction processes. The CO2 extraction process uses intense pressure and temperature change to push CO2 through the hemp to strip it of oils, waxes, etc. The result is a completely pure extract that doesn’t require additional filtering or evaporation. The ethanol extraction process uses alcohol to draw out the cannabinoids, which are then seperated out and infused into our oils. Make sure your CBD company uses reputable, GMP-certified (Good Manufacturing Practices) facilties that are inspected for quality control.

Third-party testing is a crucial step in proving the cannabinoid makeup of your product and whether or not it’s compliant with rules set by the federal government. Make sure you have access to the COAs for all CBD products you by, and that they were tested by highly-regarded third-party experts.

Many CBD companies white-label their products—meaning they rely on manufacturers who mass produce tinctures, topicals and gummies. This not only comes with added costs (that they pass down to the customer) but makes it much harder to control quality, safety and freshness. Look for companies that formulate, manufacture and bottle their own products.

Do you trust that the CBD company you're about to buy from will do everything to ensure your satisfaction? The reviews should offer a hint on customer service, and look for a guarantee of customer satisfaction. You can also test this by reaching out and seeing how long it takes for someone to respond to you!