CBD Buying Considerations

Full-Spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum vs. Isolate

You’ve likely come across the terms “full-spectrum”, “broad spectrum”, and “isolate” on your CBD search. These terms are used to define the type of CBD extract that is used in formulating a particular CBD product. It can be helpful to think of them as three non-identical triplets; they are very similar, but all have their own individual identities.

Put simply:
Full-spectrum oil contains CBD and several other minor cannabinoids
Broad-spectrum oil contains CBD and some other minor cannabinoids
Isolate oil contains CBD and no other cannabinoids

No matter how you decide to consume or apply CBD, the most potent products contain full- or broad-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum CBD contains the full scope of health benefits offered by the cannabis plant (including THC), while broad spectrum contains most of these same cannabinoids but tends to exclude THC. Full- and broad-spectrum CBD products are also less processed, leaving intact cannabis’ delicate organic components and terpenes, which can affect the taste and smell of the product as well as offer therapeutic, medicinal properties of their own.

There are also a variety of isolate and distillate products on the market that are often more affordable and offer many of the same benefits as their broader spectrum counterparts but, for better or for worse, they contain 0% THC.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of subpar CBD products out there, so it’s important to know what you’re consuming. Whenever possible, look for CBD that has been derived from organic, American-grown hemp so you know it passes approved agricultural regulations and doesn’t contain more than 0.3% THC.

Third-Party Testing

Any reputable, responsible CBD manufacturer will have their products tested by an independent third-party laboratory to ensure the quality and safety of the product. When you are looking to choose a CBD brand, it’s a good idea to inquire about their third-party test results and request copies of test reports associated with the product that you are interested in purchasing.

Product Pricing

Perhaps you’ve noticed that pricing for CBD products is all over the place. This is because it is a relatively new, inefficient market without proper quality regulations. The massive growth in CBD’s popularity has attracted a lot of new players all looking for a piece of the action and, currently, the federal government has not issued the framework to regulate the industry. Based on current market data, you can expect to spend $0.06 to $0.12 per mg of CBD for a hemp-derived CBD product.