CBD oil is currently not regulated in the United Kingdom. This means that it is completely up to the consumer to find a safe CBD oil of high-quality.
You could end up spending valuable hours of your day on the internet trying to find out all about the industry (trust us, we have…) and come out blinded with “science”. Some of it simulated, or at the very least, twisted.
So, to save you the effort and time, we’ve conjured 5 fundamental tips that should assist you to buy CBD online.
- Do Your Research
As highlighted above, the CBD industry is still largely unregulated. This means that brands can put a ‘CBD Oil’ labeling on almost any product and sell it as something that it’s not according to CBDOilireland.ie.
Brands could also be dishonest about the product’s cannabinoid content. A recent trial on one product tested from a street drugstore was found to have no CBD content at all.
As such, when buying CBD online, try and ensure that you do the proper research into the company you’re about to buy from. Make sure that you only ever buy from CBD manufacturers who employ the use of independent 3rd party lab experiments on all their products. Avoid brands that are unwilling to reveal the results of these lab tests publicly.
Lab results will confirm that the product you’re buying is in fact CBD oil. The reports will also help reveal what amount of cannabinoid content is present in each bottle.
On top of helping you avoid losing your money to a scam, these results also guarantee safety in using products from a particular brand. Some lab results are able to identify what other compounds are present in the oil.
Sometimes, pesticides and fertilizers used during the growing phase are able to find their way into the end product. The chromatograph can reveal whether such potentially harmful products are present or not.
For these reasons, here at ULU, we maintain 100% transparency with our customers. We use third-party testing on all our products, and you can find the lab results of the most recent experiments from our website.
A general thumb of buying CBD online is to avoid buying from a brand that does not publish results from a third-party lab test or proves difficult to contact. At ULU, we’re always present to provide clarity on any questions or issues you might have.
- Make Sure It’s Not Hempseed Oil
When you buy CBD oil from the internet, be sure that you’re it is in fact not hemp seed oil that you’re buying. This is because CBD oil and hemp oil are not one and the same thing.
CBD oil in the UK must be made from the industrial hemp plant. It’s a variation of the cannabis plant that has less than 0.03% THC content. This law was made to help prevent the sale or production of banned substances: in other words, marijuana.
While hemp leaves do have cannabinoids used to make oils such as CBD, the seeds of the plant do not have any. Hemp seeds only have limited traces of cannabinoids. This means they have zero value in CBD oils.
However, this is not to say that hemp seeds don’t have any use. They have many essential fatty acids and unsaturated fats. Basically, they are excellent health supplements.
Hemp seeds can be cold-pressed to make hemp seed oil. Much like CBD oil, hemp seed oil is sold as a food supplement. However, what it isn’t is a cannabinoid-rich supplement.
This is yet another reason that shows the importance of lab tests. Not only do you need to know if the product has any CBD compounds at all, but you also need to ensure the product is actual CBD hemp oil and not hempseed oil.
- Make Sure There’s a Low THC Content
It is illegal for CBD products sold in the UK to have more than 0.02% THC so this is something you should be wary of. THC is the compound in the cannabis plant with psychoactive properties. It is basically responsible for getting you high.
But other governments have a more relaxed approach when it comes to the laws surrounding marijuana. When you buy CBD online from other countries, the brand you buy from could have created the product from marijuana extracts and not the industrial hemp plant.
As such, these products could have a higher amount of THC content. THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana and for this reason, its use has been prohibited in Great Britain. Although a sublingual CBD oil will not make you high, that’s probably not what you’re after.
The internet has made trade between customers and businesses from different countries relatively easy. open world. It is therefore very possible that you might find a CBD oil product with high THC content being produced in a place such as the United States.
It’s not likely that these brands will ship to the UK but on the chance that they do, you could face legal ramifications. The product would likely be confiscated by customs at the border, and the authorities might come looking for you.
- Know What You Want and Have Realistic Expectations
CBD oil products are used for various reasons and are also consumed differently. For instance, some products are used during vaping, some are made particularly for topical application. Some come in tablet form and some are added to food and consumed as part of a meal.
A lot of users have reported that it gives them feelings of concentration and relaxation. It also helps combat insomnia and helps in pain relief.
As such, you need to be aware of what you are looking to achieve and which CBD product is best for your needs. If you’re not sure which product could provide you the best service, read our ULU guide to CBD products, uses, and benefits. The ULU website should help you find the exact CBD product for you as well as how to take it.
