Opinion

How to Shop for CBD Oil

Written by Mell Green

It’s totally happening. As CBD (cannabidiol) spreads across the nation, dispensaries and retailers everywhere are selling products infused with the cannabinoid in record numbers. However, with all these options comes a new problem: choosing the right one for you. So, how does one go about shopping for CBD oil? Here are a few things you should consider in order to help you choose the ideal product for your needs.

Research Thoroughly Beforehand

Determining what is safe is ultimately up to you and will require some homework. A company’s product can look amazing on paper, but you should never judge a book by its cover; that’s where reviews come in. Information about the products you purchase should be available on the manufacturer’s company website. It also might not be a bad idea to check websites such as Yelp, Facebook, and other industry-developed sources for reviews that can help to point you in the right direction. This way, you can get information directly from customers who have actually interacted with the staff and purchased the product. Every retailer has the occasional bad customer service experience, but you may want to find a different shop if you’re seeing a ton of negative reviews.

Knowledgeable Staff

Unless you’re a highly experienced cannabis consumer, chances are you’ll have at least a few questions that need answering before making any purchases. The staff (budtenders) should not only be honest, attentive, and friendly, but also knowledgeable enough to guide you through the selection process by offering sound advice and accurate product information. On the other hand, if the staff seems disinterested in your questions, resorts to vague answers, or has little knowledge, they can end up selling you a product that isn’t what you want, or even worse isn’t what you need. This can make your visit much less pleasant than it should be and can ultimately make you feel uncomfortable about the product you end up purchasing.

Quality vs. Quantity

As far as quality goes, products containing CBD oil come in many forms and can vary quite a bit between sources, so in case you have any questions about the quality of a particular product, take the time to find out exactly who is making your oil, and how. You really don’t want to risk your health by using a substance of questionable origin and effect, so ask about the state-required Certificate of Analysis (CoA) to find out if your CBD oil is safe and has been lab-tested. After all, quality should be of the utmost importance.

It’s a beautiful thing that CBD is more available than ever. Though there are an endless number of factors to consider that would be impossible to include in a single article, by taking your time and sampling what the local cannabis community has to offer, you’ll be able to find the product that works best for you.

Image Credit: Beauty Independent

About the author

Mell Green

Mell is a published writer and advocate of the legal cannabis movement who’s dedicated to all things wellness. You can catch her work in a number of publications including Plant People, Cannabis.info, and the Weed Blog. She’s a proud volunteer of the National Hemp Association and enjoys consuming cannabis medicinally and recreationally.