As the CBD market explodes, more and more retailers are partnering with CBD brands. Doing so lets business owners provide their customers with the products they want. But it can also lead to a conundrum: How do you find and choose the best CBD Store to purchase your CBD products?
There are lots of substandard CBD products out there that do not fit into regulation. This article will show some qualities to look out for when trying to purchase CBD from a store.
What is CBD?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of the many cannabinoids, or chemical compounds, found in marijuana and hemp.
You’re probably already familiar with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is another compound found in the cannabis plant and its main psychoactive component. But unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. In other words, it’s not what gets you stoned. It’s also different from medical marijuana, which has been shown to reduce pain.
In addition to treating epilepsy, research has shown CBD may help reduce anxiety for people who have schizophrenia or psychosis, or who are addicted to opiates.
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD may even help treat acne.
It may also be beneficial for arthritis. Last fall the Arthritis Foundation became the first major health organization to release guidelines for the use of CBD.
Advocates believe there are many potential health benefits, but clinicians say more research needs to be done.
How to use CBD?
You can take CBD orally or apply it topically, depending on the product. There are lots of options out there, from gummies and soft gels that supposedly ease anxiety to calming bath soaks, creams, and oils — and even beer.
Most of the products claim to ease pain and anxiety. But whether or not these products contain the amount of CBD they advertise is up for debate, since the FDA does not approve of them.
The FDA has tested various products and found that many didn’t have the amount of CBD they had advertised and has often sent warning letters to companies that make unfounded health claims.
Qualities of a good CBD store.
1. Top Quality CBD product
There’s no nice way to put this: There’s a whole lot of junk out there in the CBD market. Different extraction methods and different formulations lead to a huge variety of products and price ranges. Unfortunately, very few of these products are effective. These effective products are part of the qualities of the best CBD stores in town. Use these four guidelines to confirm a quality product in a CBD store you can trust.
- Full-spectrum: If you’re going to identify the best CBD store, it should be a store that has a brand that is full-spectrum. Unlike CBD isolates, full-spectrum CBD products contain a wide variety of beneficial cannabinoids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, protein, chlorophyll, terpenes, flavonoids, and fiber that, when combined, produce enhanced results (also known as the entourage effect). Choosing a full-spectrum product gives you better results. It’s that simple.
- THC-free: If it’s important to you to buy a family-friendly product that anyone can use, look for a CBD store that has an oil that is THC-free. THC is the cannabinoid that makes you high. As a simple rule of thumb, if a brand isn’t promoting that their product is THC-free, it isn’t. The process to remove THC from CBD oil creates a much higher expense for the manufacturer, so many brands choose not to do it. It may cost more, but in my experience, it’s worth it to provide the option of a non-psychoactive product.
- Consistency: You’ll find some stores create their broad-spectrum formula. While you may get more benefits from these products than from an isolate, these formulations tend to be inconsistent. Look for the best CBD store that uses consistent formulations from batch to batch to ensure you know what you’re getting.
- Variety: Choose a wholesale CBD store that provides several different delivery methods. Products like tinctures, soft gels, vapes, and salves best address different needs. Work with a business that provides a variety to ensure your needs are met.
2. A CBD store with great service
The current level of growth in the CBD market is leaving most companies overwhelmed. Poorly run CBD stores are not set up to provide a high level of service. As a result, many retailers find themselves dealing with delayed orders, missing products, and unreturned phone calls. As you choose a good CBD store, choose a company that has a level of service that leaves you feeling confident.
3. The best CBD store that fits with your standards
As you consider the best CBD store to shop with, take a close look at their branding. Any store you shop with will reflect on you. Ask yourself which CBD store aligns well with the image you want to project.
Product packaging is a great litmus test. Are the materials high quality? Is the packaging easy to display? Is the overall effect in line with other products in the store? Align yourself with a quality brand for the best results.
4. A store with logical pricing and product selection.
Most full-spectrum CBD products fall within the same price range. What differs is the types of products and the strength of their formulations. This is where it is important to understand your wants and needs.
Formulation strength is where you’ll notice the biggest misalignment between price point and customer interest. You’ll find CBD stores offering 2000 mg or 3000 mg formulas. Not many people are buying these. Instead, they choose formulations that are less potent, less expensive, yet still effective. For most retailers, it makes sense to focus on these products.
Another thing to think about is the broad appeal of the CBD store you shop in. There are a lot of funky CBD products out there. I’ve seen items like CBD cookies and CBD spices sell very poorly. I recommend staying mainstream with the products you buy. Choose a brand that offers tinctures, soft gels, salves, and other products you have experience with.
