Considering the momentum CBD garnered in 2019, it is no wonder it is expected to grow by 31.90% between 2020 and 2027. As the market booms, hundreds of distributors and companies are trooping into the market in droves.

Family Video is one such company. 

One of the largest movie rental chains in the United States and Canada, Family Video, operates about 550 stores. In a bid to increase foot traffic, some of the Family Video stores in certain parts of the United States started retailing CBD to its customers.

The popularity of CBD in recent times means it’s an excellent opportunity for any discerning business to increase sales and cross-sell its products to the new sets of customers who come in because of CBD, which is why Family Video’s recent move is a brilliant strategy.

The only problem is, the Food and Drugs Administration served the brand they stock a warning letter. 

What Did The FDA Warning Letter Contain? 

In a letter issued on 25th November 2019, the FDA called out the following infractions:

  • The product was labeled as a dietary supplement even though it doesn’t meet the FDA’s description of a dietary supplement. It is also pertinent to note that CBD products can’t be described as a dietary supplement under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act.
  • The product claims to be a drug for infants. 
  • The product hasn’t been approved as a “new drug” for the ailments it claims to treat.
  • CBD is not approved to be used as an additive to food or water. 
  • The product claims to provide relief to pets also, but this hasn’t been substantiated.
  • Lastly, no evidence substantiates the use of CBD in animal foods. 

Family Video claims their rationale for picking this particular CBD brand was because they do third party testing, which is standard industry practice.

However, this isn’t enough reason to retail a product with this number of infractions to the general public. Inexperienced or ill-informed buyers could fall foul to these claims, and this can lead to severe consequences.  

4 Things You Must Know Before You Buy CBD Oil

As in any industry in high demand, you can find CBD products ranging from bang average to high-quality. The primary issue the CBD industry faces is there are thousands of brands all claiming to solve one thing or another. Another problem is that it’s challenging to differentiate between good and bad products.

This means that most consumers purchase CBD online based on which brand has a better marketing campaign or what seems to be trending on social media. As a consequence, low-quality products can pass off as high-quality products.

Why is this a problem?

You not only waste your money, but you also don’t get the benefits the product claims to provide. Lastly, and most importantly, it can lead to serious health problems. 

However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t premium water-soluble CBD oil brands that are safe. You just need to know what to look out for when shopping for CBD. 

Here are four things to look out for when purchasing a CBD brand: 

#1. Has an accredited and credible 3rd-party lab tested the brand’s products?

This is the first thing you need to look out for when purchasing CBD. Usually, it should be on the company’s website. If you can’t find one, it could mean various things – but that would be the first red flag.

Some companies only provide a lab report upon a formal request or after purchase. If you feel strongly about the brand, you can submit a formal request for their lab report. However, it might be wise to be wary at this point.

When studying the lab report, look out for the following:

  • How old is the lab report? It shouldn’t be older than a year. A premium brand tests its CBD oil at least every eight months. 
  • Does the report confirm that the CBD oil is free of any contaminants? 
  • Is the percentage of cannabinoid content stated on the lab report the same with what is listed on the product label? 

#2. What amount of THC does the product contain? 

The maximum amount of THC legally allowed in any CBD product is between 0.03% – 0.05%. The amount is dependent on state regulations, but it never goes above 0.05%. In certain states, it could be less than 0.03%.

At this volume, it is considered safe, and the user is not at risk of THC’s psychoactive properties.

#3. What’s the source of the Hemp used in the production? 

Hemp is the primary source of CBD oil. Because Hemp quickly absorbs anything in the water, air, and soil in which it’s cultivated, it is essential that you know the source of the Hemp used to produce the CBD oil you are about to purchase.

If the Hemp was grown using chemical means, you are at risk of all the potential side-effects of the herbicides, chemicals, and pesticides used while cultivating the plant

While it is difficult to track where the Hemp was sourced from, or the cultivation practices the farm used, a good hack is to look out for CBD brands that are willing to share valid information about their farms. It is a standard practice of most premium CBD brands to share their standards for sourcing Hemp suppliers, and credible information buyers can validate on their suppliers. 

#4. Does the brand have good reviews online? 

Online reviews are a great way to gauge the quality and credibility of a brand. Not only does it provide you relevant factoids about the product, but you also get first-hand information on how it works and any side effects that weren’t listed in the product information.

Marketplaces such as Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter are excellent sources of this sort of information. You can also check the various CBD oil forums that the internet is filled with. The brand’s reputation is a speedy way to filter out harmful products.

The Bottomline

CBD oil is an excellent product if you buy the right one, but you must do your research before you decide to buy CBD oil for cheap. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.