Thanks to their benefits in soothing anxiety, stress, and pain, CBD products have become a rising star as a natural medicine with very few, minor side effects. As CBD grows in popularity, a variety of products have become wildly available; in fact, you want to try CBD for the first time, it may be difficult to figure out whether you should buy CBD concentrates, isolates, or topicals in order to get the best product. As experts, we’ve got a few tips for choosing quality CBD products to help you decide.

CBD Extraction Processes

The way CBD oil is extracted from hemp can change its chemical makeup by the time it finally reaches the final product stage. If you’re unaware, extraction is done by applying pressure to a plant—hemp for CBD—so that the trichomes will burst open. Once this happens, the plant will excrete an oil that is then captured and sold. It’s these methods that use pressure that make for higher quality CBD products than using conventional methods such as heat.

If the CBD is extracted through heat, then the substance butane will inevitably be used. When the butane comes into contact with the cannabinoids, the two aromatic chemicals form a chemical reaction that alters the genetic profiles of all compounds within. Butane itself is also a hazardous material and truly has no advantage over pressure extraction, since the butane will always dilute the quality of the CBD oils.

Instead, other processes that are of higher quality that you should look out for are CBD products that were extracted using techniques like CO2 or food-grade ethanol extraction. These are all-natural solvents that will not contaminate the CBD oil and keep the terpenes intact.

Hemp Growing Standards

Much like how you want to avoid CBD products contaminated with butane, you want to get a grasp on how the hemp CBD is extracted from is being grown. A sign that products are made from low-quality hemp is when they’ve been exposed to foreign chemicals like pesticides. As they’re meant to kill pests that might harm crops, it’s obvious that these pesticides are toxic and aren’t something you want in your CBD oil because they will negatively impact the health benefits that CBD would otherwise provide. Hemp especially, compared to other plants, is known to soak up everything in the surrounding soil, so it’s easy for them to become tainted by pesticides and other harmful substances.

Hemp that has been grown in a greenhouse is always a safe bet because of how controlled an environment they are. This not only prevents hazards like pests from getting to the crops but the conditions can be tweaked and changed for optimal growth so that the plants are of as high a quality as possible.

Broad and Full-Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate

When comparing the different products, you’ll notice that most of them fall into two main categories: Broad or full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolates. CBD isolates are the purest form of CBD, typically appearing as a fine powder which is the most efficient form of CBD—however, that doesn’t mean CBD isolates are the most effective form.

CBD works best when it works in unison with other cannabinoids—an outcome commonly referred to as the entourage effect. To this end, broad or full-spectrum CBD should always be preferable, and the differences between the two are minor. Broad-spectrum CBD contains multiple cannabinoids except for THC, the compound that causes the “high” feeling that marijuana is infamous for. Full-spectrum, on the other hand, typically contains about 0.3% THC. However, such a small amount of THC really isn’t enough to affect you.

CBD Product Sources

The location of where your CBD is grown may also be of concern to you. If you’re unsure, a good rule of thumb is to stick with CBD oils from the United States to ensure you have a consistent and safe experience.

Some of the environmental factors, such as soil pH or the climate, can have a massive impact on the growth of hemp and the condition of the oil it produces. Sticking with what you know will better ensure you understand the conditions of the source, and also give you confidence regarding that source if you buy within the United States.

Avoid Additives

While cannabinoids produce greater results when they work together, it’s important to realize that any other additives are unnecessary and add nothing at all. The one exception may be if you want a flavored CBD oil, in which case you should make sure the flavors come from all-natural sources such as essential oils. If you do see that a CBD product has been given some sort of additive, it will still be safe to consume, but the effects of the CBD may be less potent.

CBD Packaging

The way your CBD is packaged matters more than you might think. The packaging is responsible for slowing the natural deterioration of the CBD and preventing the cannabinoids from dissipating into the atmosphere. While it’s always inevitable, CBD companies strive to improve upon packaging to give CBD products a longer shelf life.

CBD products packaged in a glass container will usually be more effective than plastic ones. This is because glass is impermeable, which means that moisture cannot pass through the packaging. However, one advantage of plastics is the ability to utilize amber containers. The containers' amber color protects the product within from the harmful UV rays of the sun that would otherwise dilute the effects and potency of the CBD.

Third-Party Testing Reports

While doing your research is always important, it never hurts to get a third-party testimonial. Research on CBD products conducted by a third party keeps companies honest because the third party does not have any bias or motivation to cover up defects or abnormal ingredients within the CBD. Furthermore, because CBD products are relatively new on the market, the FDA has not yet set many guidelines for CBD products. A third party can help keep you informed about your products by thoroughly examining their composition, making it one of our best tips for choosing quality CBD products if you’re completely at a loss, or if you desire to take an in-depth look into the products you’re consuming.

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Thanks to the 2018 Agriculture Improvement act, hemp has become entirely legal, and as a result, CBD hemp flowers have experienced a quick rise in popularity as the stigma of grouping CBD together with marijuana dissipates. Users, both old and new, flock to try new forms of CBD and get the benefits that hemp flower has to offer. If you’re not familiar with hemp or CBD, then let us teach you the basics of how to use hemp flowers.

What Are Hemp Flowers?

In case you have any worries, doubts, or reservations about CBD and hemp flower, let’s go over what a hemp flower is exactly. While hemp is a close relative of marijuana, it will not get make you intoxicated. The hemp plant is very rich in CBD, but contains very small traces of THC. THC is the compound within cannabis that creates that intoxicating psychoactive effect that makes you “high,” while CBD is the compound that makes cannabis so relaxing. With hemp-extracted CBD, the traces of THC are so small that you won’t feel any of those psychoactive effects, but you will still get the relaxing sensation CBD offers. However, THC can be added back into a CBD product for those who desire that psychoactive effect.

CBD hemp buds can come with a variety of phytocannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes that give different strains their unique smells, flavors, and benefits for you to take advantage of and find your favorites. For the best results, it is often recommended to look towards full-spectrum CBD that extracts all the beneficial compounds from the entire plant.

The Benefits of Hemp Flower

As we touched upon, the allure of CBD hemp flower is the relaxing effect it creates once consumed. How it does this is by interacting with our endocannabinoid receptors—a system that is responsible for regulating many of our body’s processes such as appetite, metabolism, stress, and memory. The CBD bonds with our endocannabinoid receptors and then slows the production of cortisol—a hormone in our body that causes stress and anxiety—to help us loosen up and calm down.

Additionally, CBD has natural anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an effective solution for pain relief that other types of remedies that more traditional medicines cannot achieve. Whereas other pain-relief medications will simply try to mask the pain until your body naturally heals itself, CBD actively works to soothe the inflammation and eliminate the problem directly.

Strains of CBD Hemp Flowers

The wide variety of hemp buds may make a newcomer feel spoiled for choice and unsure about what strain they should get. Let’s narrow it down to some of the most popular strains.

• Blue Dream: Rich in sativa, this cross of the Super Silver Haze and Blueberry strains is very approachable and suitable for beginners. Noted for having a peppery, pine, herbal, or lavender taste, this strain is effective at combatting symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Cannatonic—Bred for its balanced amounts of THC and high CBD content (typically double the amount of CBD when compared to THC), this strain will not give you the psychoactive effects of THC while still allowing you to take advantage of the painkilling effects. Like Blue Dream, this strain has a pepper, pine, and herbal flavor.
• Harlequin—This is another CBD-rich strain, but users have noted that Harlequin has a more “uplifting” effect than Cannatonic. Its low-THC and high CBD contents make it ideal for soothing stress, anxiety, pain, and depression, and it also uniquely features a mango flavor.
• Northern Lights—Should you want to grow your own hemp flower, Northern Lights is certainly the strain for you. Short, stocky, and hardy, this plant has a relatively short growth period that leaves room for error for a beginner learning how to properly care for and nurture their own hemp plants.

Smoking Hemp Buds

Now, once you’ve picked out a strain, let’s talk about the basics of how to use hemp flower. Smoking is likely the first method you’ve thought of thanks to marijuana—and you’re not wrong. You can smoke your hemp flower, and without the worry of damaging your lungs in the same way tobacco would. In fact, tobacco contains toxins and chemicals that CBD hemp does not have. Some of the ways you can smoke hemp include:

• Cigar paper—As the most common method, you simply roll your hemp using the same paper used to roll cigars. Just be sure you don’t get cigar paper that contains nicotine.
• Pipes—Perhaps the most convenient way to smoke hemp flower, pipes have a space that you can place and ignite hemp buds just as you normally would when using a tobacco pipe.
• Hookahs—Commonly used to smoke shisha, hookahs can just as easily be utilized for smoking hemp flowers, whether it be a traditional or an electronic hookah.

Vaping Hemp Buds

Vaping is a relatively new but wildly popular method to consume CBD. With a dry vape, you can insert your CBD hemp flower where the heat of the coils will turn the terpenes into a gas. This makes for an equally effective way to experience the benefits of CBD, but also provides a lot of conveniences that make it simple to smoke hemp flowers no matter where you are.

It should be noted, however, that a recent amendment to the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) act will soon ban vaping products from being shipped through USPS or UPS. For that reason, you should order your buds now before the ban takes effect, as it’s the easiest way to get a hold of them.

Eating Hemp Buds

Of course, smoking and vaping aren’t for everyone. Luckily, you can get equally as effective benefits from CBD hemp flowers by simply eating them. Some of the ways hemp buds are made into foods include:

• Cannabutter—This is essentially butter infused with hemp—and the process of making it is quite simple. Hemp buds are simply ground up and mixed into heated butter. The high temperatures extract the CBD and terpenes from the ground-up flowers, resulting in a butter rich in CBD.
• Pastries—To treat your sweet tooth and receive the benefits of CBD, hemp flowers can be baked into treats like cookies and brownies for a delicious and effective method of CBD consumption. As with cannabutter, grind up the flower, and the high temperatures of the baking process will extract the CBD. Just ensure you have enough flower for the recipe, of course!
• Capsules—If you just want to reap the benefits without much fuss or taking too much time, hemp flowers have been made into capsules and supplements that can be consumed like any other morning vitamin or medication. A great bonus with this, however, is that each capsule has the dosage of CBD measured just right.

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In the most recent COVID-19 relief bill, an amendment to the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) act was made to include e-cigarette and vape products. If you don’t know what this means for you or CBD, then understanding what CBD vape oil is first will help you gain a clearer picture of how this amendment will take effect and how it will change the way you obtain CBD vape cartridges.

Effects of CBD Vaping

CBD vaping is popular because inhaling CBD is one the fastest ways to experience its effects. These effects include soothing anxiety, stress, and pain by interacting with our endocannabinoid system and containing natural anti-inflammatory properties. Because of the stigma, if you’re newer to CBD, you should know that a CBD vape will not get you high as smoking cannabis would.

Many users have found that CBD vaping is also the easiest way to figure out the best dosage for their personal needs. Because of how fast-acting the effects are when you inhale CBD, you will quickly experience the benefits of CBD and know when you’ve gotten an adequate dose.

Forms of CBD Vape Oil

Because of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the hemp plant has been completely legalized for cultivation and is thus the source of most CBD products. With this greater availability in CBD, there are three basic forms key to understanding what CBD vape oil is.

• Full-Spectrum: A formula that intentionally adds in other aspects of Cannabis sativa such as THC, should you desire that “high” sensation.
• Broad-Spectrum: Like the full spectrum vape oil, this formula makes use of other beneficial cannabinoids, but does not contain any THC.
• CBD Isolate: The purest form of CBD vaping, this form removes all other cannabinoids so that it only contains CBD.

Obtaining CBD Vape With PACT

So, how will the PACT act affect how you obtain CBD vape batteries? Well, once the amendment is in place, vape and e-cigarette products will be banned from being shipped via USPS or UPS directly from providers to customers. This ban will take place around the end of April, so it’s best to buy your high-CBD vape cartridges sooner rather than later. After the ban is in place, you will need to go out of your way to find a vape shop that stocks these cartridges.

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Solvent extraction is a common and effective way to extract CBD from hemp flowers, but an inevitable consequence is that there are residual amounts of the solvent left behind in the final product. Now, this typically isn’t a concern, as there are acceptable levels of residual solvents in CBD that are not harmful or noticeable, but it’s important to understand and identify when there is too much.

Common Causes of Residual Contamination

The amount of residue left behind often depends less on what kind of solvent you’re using, and instead on the CBD product you’re creating. For example, shatter and wax have a smaller surface area, require more time, more heat, and a deeper vacuum; thus, it is more difficult to purge impurities from. That said, while your method can be a factor, it’s difficult to perfectly replicate the extraction process each time. Human error and variables in the process can affect how much residue is left over.

Preventative Measure To Reduce Residue

So, while it’s difficult to consistently and perfectly replicate the extraction process no matter how experienced you are or how refined your equipment is, there are preventative measures you can take to ensure you have acceptable levels of residual solvents in CBD. Unfortunately, these preventative methods can be tedious. The best way to prevent your batches from varying too widely is to be constantly analyzing and perfecting your extraction process. Identifying better ways to do something or avoid making mistakes in your technique will always be major culprits of contamination.

The Quest for Purity

As we’ve established, there’s no real best way to prevent contamination of residual solvents as there are simply too many variables or potential mistakes that will contaminate your CBD. So, what are the alternatives? Where can you get the purest CBD? The best way to get the purest CBD is by looking for CBD crystal isolate. CBD isolate contains 99% CBD and is the closest to perfection you will find. It appears as a crystalline solid or a powder with neither a distinctive smell nor taste. Isolates will not only be free of any residual contaminants, but also lack any THC which other CBD products struggle to eliminate all traces of.

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While cannabinoids have been around for a good long while, it wasn’t until recently that CBG strains have been developed and made available for consumer use. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill making hemp and the cannabinoids within legal to grow, it’s now possible to gather enough of the small amounts of CBG within hemp to actually be usable. CBG hemp flower is considered the “mother” of cannabinoids because it’s where all other strains of cannabinoids are synthesized from. If you’re interested in giving it a try, let’s look at the most popular CBG flower strains.

Jack Frost CBG

The Jack Frost strain gets its name from the frosty trichomes that cover the flower. These trichomes contain about 13% CBG and feature a sweet flavor terpene profile and a hoppy, earthy smell that becomes a crisp pine and zesty citrus when lit. Jack Frost will help you mellow out and melt away the stress and anxiety of your day.

Super Glue CBG

Of the most popular CBG flower strains, super glue CBG is by far the strangest looking of them by sporting purple-green buds and orange hairs. Don’t be put off by its appearance, however, as this flower is covered in thick trichomes that include a lovely taste and a hefty 22% CBG. This is a great option if you find yourself needing a heavier dose to really relax and wind down at the end of the day.

White CBG

If you know your THC, you may be familiar with “The White” variant of cannabis. This is a CBG variant of The White that produces large frosty flowers containing a good 20% CBG in place of the THC. As per the Farm Bill, White CBG has less than 0.3% THC because otherwise the plant would have not been considered hemp. White CBG sports a creamy-lemon smell and an equally potent taste.

Lemon Cream Diesel CBG

As the name suggests, Lemon Cream Diesel has a strong but sweet citrus taste most akin to lemons. This strain is popular for not only being highly relaxing but offering a decent buzz throughout your body without intoxicating you like THC. In fact, rather than putting your mind in a haze, consumers have found Lemon Cream Diesel to help them focus on their tasks.

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A common misconception is that people have to smoke CBD in order to experience its benefits. Fortunately, this is not the case, and there are many ways to use CBD, the best of which may be edibles. These various methods thus allow you to reap the benefits of the CBD while enjoying the foods you love. But you needn’t just trust this method based on our recommendation alone—instead, you should take a look at the different effects of CBD edibles for yourself.

What Is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, but before you get anxious about the relation to cannabis, this is not marijuana. CBD can be found in the hemp plant, and is primarily where CBD products get their cannabidiol because of the lack of THC that marijuana does have in contrast. THC is the chemical that is responsible for giving you that euphoric “high,” while CBD instead offers non-intoxicating medical benefits.

Is it Legal?

Because CBD is so closely related to marijuana, a common concern when using CBD is whether or not it’s legal. While some state laws can be a bit nebulous, the 2018 farm bill legalized the production and sale of hemp and thus the CBD properties within, and of course, states are beginning to follow the trend of legalizing marijuana. You have nothing to fear from commercially-sold CBD products, and they’re only becoming more prevalent as legalization takes away the stigma around CBD.

How Is CBD Prepared?

Now, we can finally begin to talk about the actual CBD edibles. First, let's consider what kind of edibles CBD can be made into and how they are prepared. If you’re not one for cooking, it is possible to find CBD edibles for sale.

Typically, cannabinoid oil is first extracted from hemp through one of three extraction methods—hydrocarbon, solvent, and supercritical CO2 extraction. It is said that the CO2 method provides the highest quality product, but it requires sophisticated machinery that uses pressure and CO2 to remove the CBD from the hemp plant. Solvent extraction dissolves the hemp’s waxes, but is a bit precarious because solvents like ethanol are flammable. Solvent extraction is, however, one of the most accessible methods for those looking to extract their own CBD at home.

Once you have the CBD oil, you can technically consume it there and then on its own, but you’ll likely find it to be very bitter. Instead, CBD oil can be mixed with other ingredients to create better-tasting edibles. Some of the most common ones that you would find for sale include gummies or lollipops, but CBD can be prepared into other kinds of foods such as:

• Pastries and baked goods
• Chocolate
• Jellybeans and gummy bears
• Honey
• Salad dressing
• Smoothies
• And many more!

This means you can enjoy CBD with your favorite foods, and these are just some of the most common ways CBDs are made into edibles.

The Medical Benefits

Next, we can now talk about the different effects of CBD edibles. The main draw of CBD is the myriad of health benefits it has to offer without any major repercussions. This use of CBD can be used to relieve common problems like soreness and aches or be used to ease the symptoms of ailments and disorders. For example, one of the most common benefits consumers make use of is CBD’s effectiveness in soothing feelings of anxiety or stress. This can help those suffering from depression by reducing their anxiety and allowing them to regain control over their worries and take steps towards making progress in improving if they’re not always on edge or hesitant. However, CBD isn’t just for the mundane, as serious disorders like epilepsy make use of CBD to prevent seizures.

As an added bonus to these mental health benefits, CBD oil has thus been found to aid in combatting sleeping disorders. With the use of CBD, you’ll not only find that you’re having an easier time relaxing and getting to sleep, but it’ll also help reduce any sleep disorder’s effects in an effort to eliminate the disorder entirely.

As mentioned, CBD is also becoming popular for relieving pains within the body. Typically, the best way to go about using CBD for pain relief is through the use of topicals. These topicals are applied directly to the skin in the area that is experiencing pain and are thus ideal for targeting specific areas for the most effective relief. These topicals are effective because they bond with our endocannabinoid receptors that our skin happens to have plenty of, providing actual relief of the pain rather than masking it like other pain-relieving drugs.

The way CBD relieves pain lies in the fact it has anti-inflammatory properties, it’s capable of inducing apoptosis (the death of cells that occurs in the normal or controlled part of an organism’s growth and development), restrains cell production, obstructs cytokine creation and signals molecules for cell-to-cell communication, and induces T-administrative cells that are vital in bolstering the immune system. This makes CBD edibles as effective as other pain-relieving medicines like Ibuprofen.

CBD Side Effects

Perhaps the best benefit of CBD products in contrast to traditional medications is how few side effects and repercussions CBD has on you and your body. No doubt you’ve seen manufactured pharmaceuticals have an extensive list of potential side effects listed on the side of the bottle, which is why CBD has been a quickly growing trend amongst over-the-counter medications. While CBD has no major side effects that these manufactured medicines potentially have, some of the minor side effects observed are typically feelings of vertigo, fatigue, and changes in your weight. Furthermore, like with all medicines, if you are already taking medication, you should ensure that CBD may not potentially interfere with or alter that initial medication.

It should be noted that CBD edibles also take longer to take effect than other methods, such as using a dropper and placing the oil right under your tongue. That means it’s also less likely to create a high concentration peak, which means it may reduce the chance it interferes with other medications. In any case, it’s best to speak with your doctor and see what CBD treatment options they recommend.

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