What to Look for in a High-Quality CBD Product
As CBD continues to soar into mainstream popularity, it’s becoming increasingly important for consumers to be able to discern between high-quality CBD products and low-quality, potentially harmful ones. If you searched the internet right now, you’d find hundreds of websites for CBD-based tinctures, vapes, and topicals that claim to offer a multitude of benefits, sometimes even magic solutions.
At Bay State Extracts, real results and keeping it real with our customers are paramount—-so we’ve put together a complete how-to on spotting the difference between the legitimate CBD products and the junk.
Availability of Third-Party Lab Testing + Certificates of Analysis
Most of the information you need on a CBD product will be available in the Certificates of Analysis (COAs) completed through third-party, batch-level testing.
Batch-level testing means that every batch of a blend we manufacture is sent to a lab before it’s sold to the public. They analyze it for cannabinoid content and contaminants, then produce COAs with data for that batch number. You should never consume any hemp products that do not provide COAs. This data is what ensures they are safe and legal, and no ethical manufacturer wouldn’t provide them. Transparency is crucial in every aspect of producing and marketing hemp products, and COAs are a baseline component.
- Your CBD product’s COA will tell you:
- A full profile (mg + mL/g + percentages by weight) of all naturally-occurring cannabinoids
- THC amount percentages (federal law requires all hemp products contain < 0.3%)
- Measurements of microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria, yeast, or E.coli), toxins, metals, and residual solvents
- Any synthetic or unidentifiable compounds
- Whether the batch was given a “pass or fail” for safety standards by the lab (though not always included)
(You can read more about Bay State Extract’s commitment to transparency in our testing here: https://www.baystatehemp.com/lab-coas/)
What About Where My Hemp is Grown?
To maintain the transparency, reputable manufacturers will likely state exactly where their hemp is grown, though the COA will tell you more about its quality than its location.
Hemp plants are bioaccumulators, meaning they’ll absorb any substances in their environment’s soil faster than they can release them. Keeping the soil as clean as possible requires responsible hemp farming practices with strict oversight, which is why Bay State Extracts sources all of our materials from MDAR and USDA-certified hemp farmers.
Brands that don’t list the source of their hemp on their packaging or website could be a red flag for improper farming, however, the COA will be the ultimate indicator of how safe your CBD product is. Any dangerous substances from poor soil or crop handling will be caught in the Pesticides, Heavy Metals, and Microbial Contamination Analyses.
What About Extraction Method Chemicals?
As we mentioned in a previous blog, solvents are necessary chemicals used for extracting cannabinoids from the hemp plant. While this process may vary slightly by manufacturer, Bay State Extracts uses food-grade ethanol, while others may use hydrocarbons.
Any concerns about traces still being in your CBD product can also be eased by its COA, under the Residual Solvents Analysis. Potential solvents are measured in parts per million (ppm), and should either be non-detectable (ND) or significantly below the limit listed for your state if the batch is safe for consumption.
Product Formulation: Understanding the Cannabinoid Profile
Once you’ve determined a product is safe to use, you can start examining its cannabinoid profile. High-quality CBD products will have clear formula breakdowns that list each individual cannabinoid in the blend, and only be made with cannabinoids found naturally in the hemp plant. Vague labels or lab-made compounds that purport to offer more benefits than real cannabinoids are gimmicks, with synthetic ingredients that won’t provide you any genuine relief. Quality isn’t just determined by clean formulations; it’s also about which formulations actually work for you.
To find the cannabinoid profile that truly aligns with your personal rhythm and goals, there are a few factors to consider:
- What type of support are you looking for — better rest, brighter moods, a calming daily supplement, or maybe all of the above?
- Which cannabinoids are known for promoting your desired effects? CBD is known for full-body soothing and stabilizing and, using the entourage effect, you can customize additional layers of support.
- Would broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or CBD isolates work best for you?
- Full-spectrum CBD blends use the whole hemp plant, including THC
- Broad-spectrum CBD blends use the whole hemp plant, except for THC
- CBD isolates are pure, single cannabinoid concentrates that can be used alone or combined with other hemp concentrates
- What method of application fits best into your day?
- Vape cartridges for quick, discreet results
- Oil drops for precise measuring and longer lasting results
- Concentrates for instant, highly potent results (using dab tools)
These answers can bring you a step closer to narrowing down your ideal cannabinoid routine. A stay-at-home parent who needs moments of calm in their day may land on a broad-spectrum CBD tincture with a boost of CBG, while a full-spectrum CBD vape with CBN’s ultra-tranquil influence may be ideal for the morning shift worker who really needs to conk out before midnight.
Every wellness plan is personal, and takes time to meaningfully build. Steer clear of any CBD blends claiming to be a quick fix or a cure-all.
Customer Support and Educational Resources
Even if you know what you’re looking for, navigating CBD products doesn’t have to be a solo mission and any reputable brand should be there to guide you through it.
Responsive live support as well as readily-accessible resources to help you understand their products (detailed descriptions and instructions, FAQs, educational blogs or videos) are strong indicators that a hemp brand values trust, credibility, and customer satisfaction over making a quick buck. Don’t forget to also thoroughly check reviews for the company across different platforms to get a full picture of other users’ experiences.
Quick Checklist: How to Choose a High-Quality CBD Product
Vetting CBD products in a pinch? Here’s a quick checklist for deciding whether to purchase or pass:
✅ Third-party lab test results + COAs provided
✅ Transparent labeling and hemp sourcing
✅ Clean formulations
✅ Clear profile of cannabinoids
✅ Available education and live customer support
✅ Positive brand reputation and reviews
(If you’re ready to shop for cannabinoid blends that check off every box right now, our TRIFECTA series is available here and can be at your door within 48 hours.)
Find High-Quality CBD Here at Bay State Extracts
High-quality CBD products are more accessible to consumers than ever — it just takes the right tools to identify it. With this guide, you’re fully equipped to start exploring CBD-based options for your personal wellness plan. Remember to start slow and listen to your body along the way; there’s no one-size-fits-all routine! Bay State Extracts is always here to help you find the formulas that make you feel best, so feel free to reach out to us any time with questions.
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