How to Spot Fake CBD Oil In a Brave New World…
Boy, has CBD come a long way since it was first legalized in 2018. Consumers have more great products and variations to choose from but unfortunately, there has also been an increase in fake and potentially dangerous CBD products too.
The onslaught of new products claiming to contain high-quality CBD are not always what they seem. In this guide, we will take you through the process of identifying fake CBD oil so you can feel safe that you are consuming a healthy and legit product.
Spotting a Legit CBD Website
I usually recommend buying CBD from local stores that you know OR from trusted websites with proven track records.
When you buy CBD online you need to look out for a few telltale sign that the site is selling poor quality or fake products.
- Check for lab reports – All reputable CBD brands will provide third-party testing that verify the purity and potency of their products. If a brand’s website doesn’t show lab results (sometimes called COA’s or certificate of analysis), it’s safe to say that they are running a shady business. All CBD brands need to show their lab results in order to get banking and credit card processing.
- Investigate the brand – Google the company to see if they have media coverage, and a solid online presence. Check their social media channels to see if they are active or at least get tagged in posts by customers. You can also check Reddit to see what people are saying about them (take some of Reddit with a pinch of salt).
- Contact the company – Legit brands will have responsive customer service and will get back to you. In some cases, this strategy has scored me great discount codes and contacts with owners of reputable companies!
- Read reviews – Look for genuine customer reviews and industry experts’ opinions on sites like CBD Incubator. If the reviews seem too good to be true or non-existent, proceed with caution. That being said, new brands will always start out with zero reviews so be open to trying the product if all of the above are OK.
- Are they making medical claims? – CBD brands are not allowed to make any medical claims regarding CBD or other cannabinoids. Legit brands do not make medical claims because they would stand to lose their business.
Reading CBD Labels like a Pro
After you’ve found a good website, you need to learn how to read a CBD label to better understand what you are buying (or in some cases, not buying).
- Look for the type of CBD – There are three main types of CBD oil, full-spectrum (all cannabinoids), broad-spectrum (all cannabinoids but zero THC), and CBD isolate (just CBD). The label should clearly indicate which type you’re buying.
- Check the CBD content – The label should display the total amount of CBD in the product, as well as the concentration per serving. CBD content is usually measured in milligrams (mg) or as a percentage (%).
- Read the ingredients – Make sure there are no harmful chemicals, additives, or artificial ingredients in the product.
- Verify the lab results – As mentioned earlier, reputable brands will provide third-party lab reports. Scan the QR code on the label or visit the brand’s website to verify the results.
- Is it really CBD? – Take an extra glance at the label to see if it says, Delta-8, HHC, THCO, or any other letter combination other than CBD. If it does, you may be buying a psychoactive cannabinoid that is derived from the hemp plant.
Beware of Gas Station CBD Oil
You may have noticed that CBD can be found everywhere these days. Even gas stations and liquor stores carry little tincture bottles and gummies that they push to customers. In general, you want to think twice before making a purchase from one of those places. While it may be a tempting way to save a couple of bucks, these products are often low-quality and contain harmful additives.
When it comes to your health, it’s better to stick to reputable brands like Binoid CBD, RR Medicinals, or FabCBD. These brands are known for their high-quality products and transparency. We have done extensive testing on these brands and love their quality and mission.
The True Price of CBD: You Get What You Pay For
The price of CBD oil varies significantly between brands and product types. Remember that a lower price doesn’t always mean that you get a better deal. Cheap CBD products may be fake, expired, or contain harmful additives.
Sniffing Out Fake CBD Brands
Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of fake CBD brands lurking in the shadows of the world-wide-web. They are waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting customers.
Here is a quick list you should run through before making your first purchase on a new website.
- Lack of information – Are they providing more information about their company, educational material, etc or are they just funneling you to a product page where they can take your money?
- No lab results – As mentioned earlier, reputable brands will provide third-party lab results to verify the quality of their products. Good brands will be happy to share where they grew the plant material to produce the hemp extract or CBD oil.
- Unrealistic claims – If a brand claims that their CBD oil will cure all your ailments or make you live forever, it’s probably too good to be true…
Can You Buy Real CBD on Amazon?
The short answer is: No.
Amazon prohibits the sale of CBD products on its platform so if you see products claiming to be CBD oil, they’re likely hemp seed oil instead. Calling hemp seed oil, CBD oil, is a false claim because hemp oil does not contain any CBD.
Stick to reputable websites and brands to ensure you’re getting the real deal.
How to Spot Expired CBD
Generally speaking, CBD oil will last for 12-24 months from the date of manufacture if stored properly but the shelf life of CBD oil can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of the oil, the method of extraction, and the storage conditions.
Most CBD oils will have an expiration date on the bottle, which can give you an idea of when it is likely to expire. However, the expiration date is not always a reliable indicator of when the oil will go bad.
Some fake companies buy expired hemp products at a cheap price and resell it to you.
