You would have to have been living under a rock for the last few years or so to have not heard of the newest kid on the block – CBD. You may have some questions surrounding CBD and its usage. What exactly is CBD? Is it legal? What does it do? What should I be aware of when buying CBD? You may be wondering what the answers are to such questions as well as wanting to know where you can get hold of the magic stuff easily. Let us take a closer look at CBD and its fantastic properties.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis or hemp plant. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid, a chemical that works on the body’s natural endocannabinoid system. There are over 100 cannabinoids that exist naturally in the world. As such, it can produce an array of effects and can help to treat many health conditions. As cannabis and hemp have been mentioned, now is the time to clarify what CBD is and what it is not!
CBD can be made into many products such as tinctures, oils, drinks and lotions to mention but a few. However, CBD does not include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is another renowned cannabinoid compound. THC is the ‘high-inducing’ compound that cannabis or marijuana smokers covet. As such, CBD is a legal and safe way of benefitting from the compound but without getting into murky water when it comes to legalities.
Is CBD Legal?
In a word, yes, CBD is legal for the most part. It is important to mention, however, that each country, province or state has its own rules on the legalities and permissions when it comes to buying and taking CBD. Generally speaking, however, CBD is legal in most places since it must contain less than 0.3% THC. Many CBD products contain much less than that and CBD isolate does not contain any THC at all.
It should not be a surprise that there are countries that forbid CBD use simply because it is derived from the cannabis plant. Also, these laws can and do change frequently, so legality and CBD are a bit of a minefield.
In Europe, CBD is prohibited in Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Iceland, Russia, Serbia and Slovakia, and is only legal with a prescription in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Malta, Portugal.
Bizarrely, although the Netherlands allows a certain amount of cannabis, CBD oil is illegal there because the law dictates that cannabinoids are forbidden to be isolated from the plant. It is still widely available though and is not really policed. Additionally, many of the countries that do permit CBD usage have different levels of tolerance for the percentage of THC permitted.
When it comes to the Middle East, the laws are very strict, and it would not be wise to travel with any form of CBD at all in your possession. For the US, CBD is legal under federal law as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC. Having said that, each state can legislate differently and there is a colour coding system to help.
As a result of the confusing laws, if you are thinking of travelling with CBD, it is important to check the laws of your current and intended destinations.
What does CBD Do?
CBD works on the body’s endocannabinoid receptors and produces a range of effects. Indeed, there is prescription CBD oil available which is used as an effective anti-seizure medication for certain types of epilepsy.
For the general population, however, more research is needed into proving its efficacy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that there is already evidence to suggest that CBD is not addictive and is well-tolerated. The evidence also seems to show that it might be a great treatment for many medical conditions including anxiety, depression, pain, insomnia, muscle spasms and IBS.
Will CBD work for me?
Whether CBD will work for anyone is related to many factors. Firstly, it depends on the condition that you desire to treat, the severity of it, the amount of CBD consumed and its potency, the consumption method and so on. However, most people who use CBD have seen some benefit provided they are patient for the results. Different delivery methods and dosages can also be tried.
It is important to realise, though, that CBD will not necessarily have any noticeable effect if your body’s endocannabinoid system is working perfectly well i.e. if you are already very healthy mentally and physically. CBD works best in people whose endocannabinoid system is struggling somewhat.
How Easy is it to Buy CBD?
A few years ago, it was extremely difficult to buy CBD products. Vendors and businesses were nervous about selling it due to restrictions and legalities as well as the general public’s perception about what CBD and what it does. Thankfully, nowadays people are more open to exploring alternative medications and treatments and are also more educated as to the falsehoods surrounding CBD’s initial reputation making it akin to smoking a joint on a weekend.
Fortunately, the change in laws, restrictions and people’s perceptions has led to CBD becoming much more widely available than ever before. This has the effect of lowering the cost for the consumer too as companies play competitively for their share in the market. So, not only is it easier to find, but it is also easier for everyone to have a share in CBD’s amazing properties, regardless of budget.
Many people opt to buy their CBD products online these days, especially in the wake of the pandemic which has caused consumer shopping habits to change. A quick google will bring up plenty of options of online CBD stores to browse. They offer a range of CBD products including oils, tinctures, creams and lotions, gummies and e-liquids for vaping. A simple click and your CBD products are in your basket ready for purchase and shipping.
Aside from buying online, many stores across the Western world sell CBD products. Pharmacies and drug stores, health food shops, supplement stores, beauty stores and even some supermarkets sell CBD products today. With time, CBD products are likely to become even more readily available from a variety of places depending on your location.
The fact that many stores are now selling CBD products, both online and on the high street, makes buying CBD pretty straightforward. There are even online stores that offer subscriptions and can send CBD products out every few months when your supply will naturally be running low.
What kinds of CBD are there to buy?
As alluded to above, the fact that CBD is getting easier to find also means that there is a wider range of products available to purchase. Let’s have a look at a quick summary list of some CBD products available to buy today:
- CBD oil
- CBD e-liquids
- CBD vape pens
- CBD cold drinks
- CBD tea infusions
- CBD coffee/coffee pods/coffee beans
- CBD edibles include:
- Infused honey sticks
- Gummy bears
- Gummy worms
- Cherry gummies
- Sour gummies
- Gummy peach rings
- CBD chewing gum
- CBD infused cookies
- CBD lotions and creams, including eye contour, skin tonics, cleaners, body butter
- CBD balms including lip balms and muscle balms
- CBD crystals
- CBD bath bombs
- CBD capsules
- CBD massage oils
- CBD sprays
- CBD skin patches
- CBD aerosol inhalers
- CBD face masks
And more besides! The list of CBD products these days is extensive, and our list above is certainly not exhaustive.
What Should I be Aware of When Buying CBD?
There is the classic saying caveat emptor, or in plain English ‘buyer beware’. Essentially, as a consumer, it is important to be wary of what you are buying and from whom. This applies to CBD products in the same way that it applies to everything else you buy. However, with CBD products it is ever so important to get it right since it is something that you are putting into or on your body. Risks with your body are not something you should be willing to take.
One thing you will notice (which you may have spotted from the list above!) is the sheer choice available when it comes to buying CBD products. But it does not stop simply at the product type. There is also the potency of the product to consider as well as whether it is a full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate CBD product. These all affect a product’s cost and efficacy and, in some cases safety and legality.
Aside from the more technical stuff, it may not be obvious that not all CBD products are equal in quality. There are different extraction methods to consider as well as whether the lab producing the products is certified, regulated and has sought third-party testing for its products as a part of its quality assurance. Let us break it down into three areas: CBD product quality, CBD product price, and CBD potency and strength.
Quality
The quality of your CBD product matters more than anything else. Not all producers adhere to the same stringent standards. Generally, hemp plants that are grown outside of the US tend to be of lower quality as international producers do not have the same strict regulations for growing hemp as found in the US.
Also, pesticide use is something to consider. Some producers use harsh chemicals which affect the plant and can cause harm to the body such as glyphosate. A product made from organically grown hemp is your best bet when it comes to choosing a CBD product.
Choose a CBD product manufacturer who commits to third-party testing. This ensures that the products are of the correct potency and are safe. You should look for third-party testing in an accredited laboratory.
A CBD product’s quality is also affected by the extraction method used to obtain the CBD from the plant. The most reliable and safest method is CO2 extraction. It also avoids the introduction of contaminants into the product.
Price
You will have noticed when looking for where you can buy CBD with ease that there is a variation in the price of the products. The costs of CBD oil tend to increase with quality. If the product is certified as organic and has used CO2 as the extraction method, you can expect a higher price ticket. You may be attracted to a cheaper product thanks to its lower price tag, but care must be taken with cheaper, lower-quality oils for the reasons outlined above.
Potency and Strength
As you take a closer look at buying CBD products, perhaps from stores, you will have come to see that there are different strengths of CBD products available. High-concentration products are evidently more potent and can have stronger effects on the user. Determining what strength is right for you can be tricky. However, it is best to start at a lower strength and build up the strength and potency of the products you use so that you can ascertain your tolerance levels.
When buying CBD, it is pretty straightforward in this regard as there tend to be certain strengths or potencies available regardless of the brand. That way, it is possible to switch products and brands until you find something that suits you.
To Sum Up
Buying CBD and CBD oil products have never been easier. There is so much choice available when it comes to the range of products. Likewise, many stores, pharmacies, and health food shops sell CBD products today. However, most people opt for buying CBD products online given the ease of internet shopping. So, in answer to your question, “where can I buy CBD with ease?”, the answer is pretty much everywhere! But you do need to take quality into account before you buy any product. Happy shopping!
