When there are rules to guide a company, the chances of it sticking to them are high. But many companies will search for loopholes within these rules.
CBD has been legal since 2018 and the main guideline was that the hemp plant should not contain more than 0.3 percent THC. As the FDA does not have anyone monitoring CBD manufacturers, we cannot push aside the possibility of there being products of lesser quality. This makes the need of confirming the quality of the product with a lab result essential.
Here are the reasons why you should ask the manufacturer for lab results.
But first, what is a lab report?
A lab report helps the consumer see what the contents of the product are. Just like how food has harmful additives in it, supplements like CBD can also have components that are not good for humans.
To get a lab report, the manufacturer has to perform high-performance liquid chromatography or gas chromatography- two methods that will accurately show the concentration and presence of the product’s components.
What Should You Look For In A Lab Report?
Amount Of THC
Legally, CBD products in the US are not supposed to contain more than 0.3 percent THC.
However, there are plants with a higher concentration of THC too. As no one is monitoring from where the CBD is obtained, we cannot be sure of its origin.
THC and CBD are obtained from plants of the same family. But, the concentration of THC is higher in all plants other than hemp. This is why natural hemp was selected to extract pure CBD. Also, the concentration of CBD in industrial hemp is high.
Presence Of Pesticides
Typically, pesticides play a major role in cultivating plants. Since hemp can also be attacked by pests, manufacturers might use pesticides to preserve the quality and quantity of the plant. However, consuming these is poisonous and we should check for the presence of any pesticide in the product.
Type Of Solvent Used
The solvent used to extract CBD and other compounds from hemp is food-grade ethanol or carbon dioxide. The solvent applies pressure on the trichomes of the hemp and triggers their release. Some companies substitute food-grade ethanol with hexane which is cheaper and more efficient. But, hexane, when ingested is harmful to humans.
Presence Of Metals
Heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead may react with the extracted mixture and reduce the quality of the product. Therefore, you should keep your eyes out for them too.
