Written and Fact Checked by S. Zulfiqar
Posted on June 9, 2021
If you’re in the market for some CBD, there’s a lot to think about before making a purchase. You’ve already decided that CBD is the right choice for you, so the decision-making is done on that front.
But there’s still plenty to consider as you shop around for CBD products online in Canada. A big reason for this is because many CBD manufacturers and distributors claim to be the “real deal”, but unfortunately, many of them are selling low-quality products at high-end prices.
To avoid getting caught up in a scam, here are the main things to consider before buying CBD products on the internet.
Legitimacy
The first characteristic of high-quality CBD products is obviously legitimacy. If a seller isn’t legit, you shouldn’t be buying their products. So why is legitimacy so important?
We already touched on that briefly – lots of CBD sellers claim to be the real deal when in actuality, they aren’t. This is happening for a reason; it’s all due to the fact that CBD is a hot commodity, and many people want to make money off of it right now.
The fact of the matter is that CBD sells, and since it’s such a booming industry (in Canada and elsewhere), many people are trying to sell it. Some sellers will do whatever it takes to start making money fast, even if it means foregoing product testing or using cheap, low-quality ingredients.
Quality of Ingredients
Speaking of low-quality ingredients, that’s the next thing to try your best to avoid while shopping around for CBD oil in Canada. Same applies for tinctures, gummies and other CBD products. After you’ve established that a seller is legitimate, immediately check the product label to determine what ingredients have been used.
In the world of CBD, labels matter, especially when it comes to ingredient percentages. If a CBD product contains less than 99% pure CBD, move on to another option.
Avoid Hemp Oil/Hemp Seed Oil
Many people confuse CBD oil with hemp oil or hemp seed oil. This is understandable since CBD is derived from hemp plants, but it’s important to realize there’s a big difference between the two.
Hemp/hemp seed oil is made by extracting oil from the hemp seeds, which contains little to no CBD. CBD oil, on the other hand, is extracted from different parts of the plant, primarily the leaves, flowers, and stalks.
These are the parts that actually contain cannabidiol, so if you go with a product that lists hemp or hemp seed oil as the main ingredient, move on.
Reviews & Ratings
Reviews are what make the world go round, at least when you’re in the market for buying a certain product. Browsing through a CBD oil product’s reviews and ratings is a great way to learn whether or not people are liking the product, and whether or not they recommend it.
Just be aware that there are a lot of review scams out there, so if it seems like the reviews are generic or they’re all very similar, these reviews might have been forged by the company to boost sales. Another red flag is a product that has little to no reviews to its name.
When checking out a product review, try to learn about the product itself, but also about other important aspects of the buying process. This includes company customer service, website quality, overall shopping experience, and any info you can find about shipping/delivery.
Product Testing
Product testing is a super important aspect of the entire cannabis industry. All cannabis-related products, including those containing CBD, should be tested by a third-party, unbiased facility to confirm that it’s fit to go on the market.
Third-party testing isn’t just important for making sure a CBD product is safe, though. It’s also a great way to determine exactly what’s in the product in terms of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
Manufacturing Location/Approved Shipping Locations
Always, always check to see where a product is manufactured. If you’re shopping for the best CBD oil in Canada, ideally the product will be manufactured in the country. The good news for Canadians is that there are plenty of well-respected CBD product producers in-country. This means it’s easy to find domestically manufactured CBD.
Avoid any products that say they were manufactured in China. Like most Chinese-made products, this probably means the product was mass-produced, and the ingredients might be sub-par.
Cost
Although cost is always an important consideration when buying anything, it’s last on the list for a reason. Try not to focus on cost too much when it comes to CBD. This is a product that is meant to be ingested, so don’t skimp on quality in exchange for a low price tag.
Best Place to Find CBD Products Online in Canada
If you are looking for top quality, wide selection, and affordable prices then WeedSmart is what you are seeking. You can find all your favourite CBD products from the most trusted brands in our CBD shop. We check off all the boxes when it comes to premium cannabidiol products. Place an order now and experience the true meaning of excellence.
References
- Caporuscio, Pharm D. (2020, June 8). What is the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil? Medical News Today. Available At: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hemp-seed-oil-vs-cbd-oil
- United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2021, June 9). Third Party Testing. Available at: https://www.cpsc.gov/Business–Manufacturing/Testing-Certification/Third-Party-Testing
