Pandemonia. That is the best word to describe the current state of the cannabidiol (CBD) industry. Like a fresh batch of compost, it is slow to mature and stabilize, leaving producers and consumers at risk of obscurity and inconsistency. As the CEO of a Rhode Island seed-to-bottle CBD company, I have a front row seat to the chaotic scramble to create regulation and standards for producers and vendors of CBD products. It’s a scene that somewhat resembles the disarray of the underground cannabis industry, which has led to huge financial losses, promotion of dangerous products, and for many, a lack of access to the medicinal and financial benefits of the cannabis plant. Most of my time is spent researching and discussing the impacts of such failures on the production and distribution side of CBD, but I recognize that some of my knowledge could prove useful to consumers and in this article I will do my best to share what I recognize as risks and dangers of an ambiguous market and how consumers can better navigate what is unfortunately at this time nothing less than a sketchy and mistrustful industry.
Not All Products Are Created Equal
It’s important to say right off the bat that quality is everything in CBD and there are many production variables that can reduce the quality of a product. There are dangers in the use of loosely regulated materials in production. Heavy metal and pesticide contamination are of primary concern and consumers must realize that they are at risk from the agricultural and industrial segments of industry. The cannabis plant produces numerous beneficial compounds on its own and that is the only thing that should be consumed, along with a safe carrier agent. When the cannabinoids are consumed in combination, they enhance each other’s effects, a process termed the entourage effect. The process of growing cannabis and processing its extracts should revolve around preserving all of these powerful compounds that rely on one another. Many CBD producing hemp farmers, especially those working on a large scale, do not have the means to produce such large amounts of hemp and extracts while preserving all of its components. Drying with high heat and improper storage can cause parts of the plants to oxidize or vaporize, diminishing its quality and creating a lower-grade end product. Alternatively, some hemp farmers choose to dry in greenhouses, which creates a product as good as the environment dried in, and often results in diminished properties or proliferation of molds and bacteria. Drying an acre of hemp takes something like 20,000 cubic feet and a lot of time (as well as energy) to properly control the environment. Many farms do not have systems in place to handle their hemp in this manner. Slowly drying hemp in a dark space with low temperatures and proper airflow will result in higher quality and higher yield extracts, which ultimately benefits the consumer.
Disingenuous Producers
Would you believe me if I told you some products claiming to have CBD have been shown to have absolutely none at all? The online cannabis hub, Leafly, released an article back in November (leafly.com/news/strains-products/cbd-oil-test-results) presenting the test results of “CBD” products. Twenty-three of these products’ CBD levels tested at more than 20% above or below levels claimed on the packaging. Five of the 47 products had 0% of the CBD claimed on the label. This indicates a massive red flag in the industry, and the consumer is certainly at the greatest risk when faced with so many options from companies with good marketing and bad ethics. If these companies are bold enough to claim their products have CBD, one can only imagine what else isn’t represented on the label. Many states (not including Rhode Island, unfortunately) require pesticide and heavy metal testing in the medicinal cannabis industry because cannabis patients are often the most at-risk of contamination, and the same standard must be held to the hemp industry if it expects to earn any sort of legitimacy or respect from regulators and consumers alike.
How to Choose the Right Product
The best advice I have for finding the right product is talking directly to the producer and requesting certificates of analysis (COA) for cannabinoid content, heavy metals, and pesticides. If they are able to present all three to you it’s a good bet they are a quality company. This may take some shopping around, but it is critical to find an honest and consistent brand that you can trust and rely on for your CBD needs. That being said, buying CBD from gas stations, big box stores and large online retailers are not the safest option. They often sell cheap, low quality brands and don’t have the slightest clue about the product they are selling you. The more knowledge you can gather about how a product was made, the better. If you can find a CBD seller that knows the plants it came from and the field they grew in, that will be your best option until the industry stops dragging its feet. That certainly doesn’t make that company your only option, but it is the best way to guarantee you are getting an honest product. The snake oil salespeople have found the gold rush and it will be some time before we are able to completely weed them out. All it takes is a little bit of the right knowledge to be an educated consumer and shop responsibly. Remember, always ask for the COA!
Brett Quatrucci is the CEO of Lovewell Farms.