What Does Organic CBD Mean?
Organic CBD is considered a holy grail for long-time users of cannabidiol oil. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, its usages range from relief from pain, alleviate anxiety, aid with sleeping disorders, and even help manage skin problems.
The reauthorization of the 2018 United States Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp. CBD being a byproduct of hemp plants was also legalized and reintroduced into the market. As a result, many farmers, producers, and retailers have invested in this new health trend product.
An increase in demand and influx in production has its pros and cons — on the one hand, it caters to potential long-time users, and on the other, it creates a sub-market for dupes and fakes. As hemp extract products like CBD are fairly new to the market, they are still highly unregulated.
Some are of questionable quality, so it is important that you know which ones to choose. Let’s take a look at why organic CBD is the better choice.
WHAT DOES ORGANIC MEAN?
Whether you’re familiar with cannabis or not, the word organic must mean something to you. By definition, organic means anything deriving from living matters. It means crop, food, or farming methods that do not use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other artificial agents.
There are many benefits to making a lifestyle change to choose organic products and food. Going organic, a better, safer, and overall healthier option for you, is also great for the environment.
These positive environmental impacts include better quality of fields because of a lack of chemical pesticides, more pollinators for various insects, and cleaner oceans that take the brunt of land waste.
As you may have already known, anything can be labeled as organic. However, manufacturers can dupe the public into thinking their products are organic and authentically, so, when in truth, it is not. While organic CBD is ideal, there are a few things to watch out to make sure what you’re buying is the real deal.
WHAT IS ORGANIC CBD?
While hemp is a natural crop that is fairly available for pollination, it still takes effort, time, and money to build hemp farms to cultivate the plants’ acres in the highest quality possible.
In addition to that, cannabis farmers have had many trying times over the years as federal and local laws have more often than not worked against them and their primary livelihood source.
However, those who have successfully started and maintained sustainable hemp farming practices were encouraged by the United States Department of Agriculture to apply for a certification that proves their hemp crops are truly organic. This happened right after industrial hemp was made legal in the 2018 Farm Bill.
An influx of organic hemp farmers also led to the production of organic CBD. As the name implies, organic CBD is made from organically grown and cultivated hemp plants.
These plants have been evaluated by the USDA and found free of toxins and contaminants. Their byproducts are likely to be just as safe and organic but still undergo a rigorous examination to be certain.
Certified organic CBD is made using mostly natural methods that do not involve chemical fertilizers or possibly harmful substances. The final product is pure and potent CBD, which works best on many ailments and conditions.
Users can also be more assured that their product is safe from toxins, especially ones that they ingest.
Admittedly, they are the more expensive choice as there can be no shortcuts to maintain crops naturally. Manual labor is vital and does not, and should not, come cheap. The up-side to this is that it certainly benefits the environment more.
Fewer pesticides and artificial contaminants mean cleaner soil to till and more transparent waters as well.
Read More: WHAT DOES USDA ORGANIC CERTIFICATION MEAN?
ORGANIC VS. NATURAL CBD
By definition, CBD is already a “natural” product derived from raw hemp plant materials. However, as mentioned before, many capitalize on the public’s general lack of knowledge and information about authentic CBD oil.
Some brands market their hemp oil as all-natural when they mix it with synthetic CBD oil.
This can be dangerous as synthetic CBD can be sourced from hemp that is not considered safe. The methods used for synthetic oil could also be dangerous, and the final product may not be safe for human consumption.
Organic CBD oil, on the other hand, is sourced from organically grown hemp plants. The raw material for this hemp oil must meet specific standards and be evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
They don’t have to be completely THC-free but must meet the legal limit of having less than 0.3% of the cannabinoid in dry weight.
Organic hemp and its final byproduct must also be free from heavy metal, pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins. Admittedly, this method of cultivating hemp for CBD is more expensive. This explains why authentic, organic CBD can be more expensive.
WHY YOU SHOULD ONLY BUY CBD FROM ORGANIC HEMP
There are three main types of CBD — broad-spectrum, full-spectrum CBD oil, and CBD isolates. These three are classified by the amount of THC they have. The first two contain a combination of other cannabinoids, including THC for full-spectrum.
CBD isolates are with pure CBD oil. Whichever one you prefer, you should always opt for the one labeled organic.
Even then, some marketed products still contain filler ingredients.
Labels are important. Because there are no regulations for a universal standard label, you have to research the individual ingredients to ensure they are safe.
Sometimes even organic CBD oil products contain synthetic compounds to keep the products preserved and maintain consistency.
Read More: WHY IS ORGANIC HEMP OIL SO POPULAR?
HOW TO KNOW IF CBD IS ORGANIC
Now that you know organic is the better option, the next logical step would be to know what to look for when buying your organic CBD tinctures, pills, topicals, or whatever form you prefer.
Always check for these qualifications: valid third-party lab reports, clear ingredients stated in labels, method of manufacturing, hemp farming practices, and community or customer reviews.
Every batch of products must undergo a rigorous process. This process ranges from the farming and cultivation of raw hemp up until the final product to the shipping and distribution.
You should follow this step-by-step process to a fault to ensure that the organic CBD is safe for consumption and made from the highest quality for import and export.
Good customer service is yet another sign of popular and well-loved CBD brands. Pay attention to reviews as they can say a lot about the product itself, its service, and even the best ways to apply said products.
Steer clear of CBD brands that do not disclose the results of their third-party laboratory testing for potency and purity. Also, look out for brands that market organic CBD without the official stamp of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Organic Certification.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The recent years have proved a testament to the rising popularity and demand for CBD oil. Each brand in existence promises to deliver only the best, safest, and possibly cheapest hemp oil extract out there.
However, not everyone stays true to this goal, no matter how much you want to believe in people’s goodness and honesty.
As a consumer, it is also your responsibility to look out for your best interest. After all, you want to take organic CBD oil to improve your health, not endanger it.
Keep in mind that while hemp products may have many positive benefits, the FDA has not evaluated these health statements.
Moreover, any organic CBD product is not to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. See your healthcare adviser first before starting any regimen that may interact with other prescriptions or cause you to have adverse reactions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ORGANIC CBD
What is organic hemp oil?
Organic hemp oil refers to oil extracted from hemp plants cultivated in clean soil, free of pesticide, herbicide, chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, and other soil toxins.
The final hemp oil product must also be free of these toxins to be of consideration as fully organic and safe.
Why is it important to use CBD made from organically grown hemp?
Organic CBD is a safer option compared to synthetic and filler CBD oil products.
Once labeled with the USDA Organic Certified stamp, consumers should know that the product has undergone a thorough evaluation. It has passed all FDA standards that it is safe for human consumption.
What is synthetic CBD, and why is it bad for you?
Synthetic CBD is from hemp plants that were not of professional evaluation to be organically grown.
This type of CBD can be dangerous. Its raw plant material was in clean soil and free from toxins that may cause adverse effects to the body.
