CBD Quality Control: The Value of Third-Party Lab Testing

We often base purchasing decisions on product descriptions and available specifications. We trust the information that companies are willing to give us. While it’s usually fine to trust a company based on little more than their word, there are occasions when it’s important to expect verification of product claims. Of course, whether or not verification is required depends on the nature of the business.

When you choose to do business with a company involved in the creation or distribution of CBD oil, the ability to verify the quality of your selection is essential. There are simply too many CBD companies trying to take advantage of an unsuspecting public by selling misrepresented, overpriced, or unverified products.

You can protect yourself from purchasing substandard hemp oil products by placing your trust in companies that allow you to verify their claims, companies that give you access to the results of independent third-party testing. Access to this essential information allows you to verify the purity and potency of the products you select.

Understanding the Need for Third-Party Verification

Since hemp has an extraordinary ability to pull contaminants from the soil, any chemicals, toxins, or pesticides in the soil are absorbed by the plant. That’s why It’s essential that the hemp used in the crafting of your CBD products be planted in soil that is free of chemical contamination and grown with organic farming methods. Since CBD is extracted from the stalks and stems of the plant, chemicals and contaminants can make their way into your CBD oil.

While it’s important to test soil for contamination before crops are planted, it’s also important to verify that the resulting crops have remained contaminant-free. Independent third-party testing provides an unbiased product analysis. In addition to checking for pesticide and chemical contamination, accredited testing facilities check the quality of hemp products by:

• Verifying the CBD Content

  CBD (cannabidiol) is just one of the many cannabinoids found in hemp oil. While the terms “CBD” and “hemp oil” are used interchangeably within our industry, it’s important to know how much CBD your product contains. If you are looking at a product that does not specify the amount of CBD in milligrams, it’s unlikely that the product contains enough CBD to be of any significant value. By viewing the batch testing information of the products you select, you can easily verify that the amount of CBD in your hemp oil matches the product description.

• Verifying the THC Content

  To be classified as hemp, the law requires that the plant extract contains 0.3 percent THC or less. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid that causes the psychoactive properties of marijuana. Although the trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum hemp oil are not enough to cause intoxication, viewing the batch-test results lets you confirm that the product you select meets government specifications. Those looking for THC-free CBD can use this vital report to verify that the product selected is more than 99 percent pure cannabidiol.

• Confirming Additional Cannabinoids

  Full-spectrum CBD does contain trace amounts of THC, but it also contains many other potentially beneficial plant-based cannabinoids, including CBG, CBC, and CBDN. Many CBD enthusiasts prefer full spectrum CBD because of a phenomenon called the entourage effect. It’s the entourage effect that explains how each of the many plant components in full-spectrum hemp oil magnifies and multiply the effect of the others. By viewing the documentation provided by a third-party lab, you can easily verify that the product you select contains these potentially beneficial cannabinoids.

• Verifying Products are Free of Potentially Harmful Solvents

  Hemp oil is extracted from the stalks and stems of the plant much in the same manner as any other essential oil. Since hemp oil is a consumable product, It’s important to verify that your hemp oil has been extracted using a food-safe extraction method. The two most commonly used extraction methods use CO2 or ethanol. While any company can claim they use safe extraction methods, the batch test results allow you the opportunity to confirm that your CBD is solvent-free.

• Confirming that Products are Free from Microbial Contamination

  Potentially harmful microbes are everywhere, in our water, soil, on our bodies, everywhere. Microbes are bacteria that can cause disease, illness, or fermentation. Potential problems can occur when unsafe food handling practices create situations where microbial contaminants can thrive. Viewing the batch test results can help assure you that your CBD product is cleared for consumption.

Verifying the Quality of Your CBD Oil with CBDistillery

Since there are so many variables to consider in the creation of quality hemp oil products, checking random product samples does little to ensure consistent product quality. As a leader in the hemp industry, CBDistillery was one of the first companies to provide consumers with access to the third-party test results of every product offered.

Our products are tested by the leading cannabis accredited, independent, third-party laboratory to ensure each and every one of our products meet every required quality and safety standard set forth by our state and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. You can verify the purity and potency of the products you select by clicking on the batch testing information located within the product images or scanning the QR (quick response) code on the back of your product label with the camera on your phone. The QR codes on our labels link to the batch test results for individual products.

Any company can make a claim about their products; any company can claim their products are third-party tested, the most reputable companies back their claims with verifiable evidence. For quality, third-party tested and verifiable hemp oil products, including CBD capsules, tinctures, and CBD pet products, visit CBDistillery. At CBDistillery, we control every aspect of product production, from initial pre-planting soil testing to the packaging and distribution of our hemp oil supplements. Knowing the significance of independent third-party testing can help you make informed purchasing decisions with confidence.