As the popularity of CBD products grows, it becomes increasingly important for consumers to understand what they are buying. Making informed decisions about CBD-related purchases is the best way to ensure that you are getting the most out of your money and time.
Of course, many businesses claim to have the best CBD, and it’s hard to tell exactly what you’re getting from a product description alone. That’s why reputable companies also provide their third-party lab testing reports, so you can get a thorough and accurate look at the true product you’re considering. But if you’re not a researcher or familiar with CBD testing, how can you tell what the reports mean?
This article can help. Third-party lab reports are generated by independent laboratories not associated with the seller. As such, they provide crucial insights into the quality, safety, and composition of CBD products. Understanding how to read and interpret these lab reports will help you make educated decisions and ensure that you receive the high-quality CBD products you deserve.
Verify the Report
Your first step is to verify that the report you’re reading is valid. A good third-party lab report will contain a reference number and the name of the lab that conducted the report. You can research the lab to verify its reputation and credibility. Furthermore, you can call them and confirm that the report you have is real and accurate; just provide them with the reference number.
Check the Cannabinoid Profile
The body of the report should contain an analysis called a “cannabinoid profile.” This is a list that includes information about the levels of cannabinoids in the product. Some reports will show the CBD levels as “weight%” or “result%”. Standard cannabinoids that are included in these reports are:
- CBG
- THC
- CBDV
- CBN
- THCV
- CBDa
When a lab report shows “ND” for a particular compound, it means there are non-detectable levels of said compound. You will often see this in broad-spectrum products, since they contain a wide range of cannabinoid (save for THC).
You should also verify that the THC content is within legal limits. In the UK, the legal THC limit in CBD products is 0.2%, which means if you have content that reports over that amount, you are in possession of an illegal product.
If there are any potential contaminants in the product, the third-party lab report will usually include a separate section for it. Look for tests related to pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, mycotoxins, and microbial contaminants. Ensure that the levels are either within acceptable limits or non-detectable. The report should have a section (usually called “Limits”) that indicates what the acceptable contaminant levels are. Next to Limits, the report will indicate either “PASS” or “NO PASS,” depending on where it fell in the value scale. If the report does not contain this section, there was either a separate report done for it or the CBD extraction process did not involve any toxic chemicals. Check the CBD potency percentage and compare it with the label claim. Make sure that the product contains the right potency for your needs. If you’re a first-time CBD consumer, it’s recommended that you start with a low CBD dose and work your way up from there. Check out the CBD potency on multiple reports and choose the one with the lowest concentration. If you care about the way your CBD product tastes or smells, then look for a report which tests the terpanes content in the CBD product. Not many manufacturers test for terpenes, so look for a product that contains a report which does test for it. In third-party lab reports, terpenes are typically measured by PPM (Parts Per Million). The report should have a coloured bar showing you the amount of terpenes in the product. Although third-party lab reports seem overwhelming at first, once you understand what you’re looking for and how labs display their results, reading them becomes easy. With this information, you can successfully evaluate the potency, flavour, scent profile, and potential toxic content of the product you’re buying. Even if you’re a casual fan of CBD, reading third-party lab reports is an important part of being a consumer. At the very least, this helps you choose products that are both effective and safe, while also protecting you from inauthentic sellers or distributors which don’t adhere to legal regulations.
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Check for Contaminants and Purity
Assess CBD Potency
Look for Terpene Content
Conclusion
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