The cannabis industry is under immense scrutiny. Stringent regulation sees products on the legal market tested and sold in restrictive manners, but bad actors slip through the cracks. Reports of banned pesticides in products and heavy metals accumulating in plants have led many to wonder: is weed safe?
Many of the news stories seem scary, but it’s important to note that plenty of other consumer-packaged goods have risks. Produce is often covered in insecticides, while alcohol is known to cause cancer. Fortunately for fans of flower, there are several things you can do to protect yourself while shopping for weed.
For those looking to become more savvy consumers, here are three ways to be sure your cannabis is safe.
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1. Look for a QR code
With so many different types of cannabis products, it’s hard to recognize the good stuff. If you’re ever in doubt and want to learn more about a product, look for a QR code on the packaging.
Scanning the code with your phone camera should lead you to the company’s web page, where you should be able to read more about the ingredients, manufacturing process, strain, extraction process, potential side effects, and other important information. Look for a certificate of analysis, which is the official document furnished by a testing lab. If one isn’t available, that’s a red flag.
A company being transparent about this information says a lot about its integrity and trustworthiness, and helping consumers find the information in an accessible way online is even better.
Not seeing a QR code? See below.
2. Read the list of ingredients
Rather than put a QR code on the product leading to the company website, some cannabis businesses will choose to put a full list of ingredients on the cannabis product package itself. Either way is fine, as long as they list their ingredients and testing results. If a company is not transparent, it may make you wonder.
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Potency is typically a must in regulated cannabis, but many brands will go the extra mile by including things like terpenes. These flavorful compounds help drive the experience and should be noted by people looking for the perfect pot product for their unique use case.
If the product in question is a CBD or THC extract like tinctures or edibles, the label should also list the type of carrier oil in the product. This is essential because some people may be allergic to certain oils or ingredients.
You should always read the ingredients carefully and make sure you understand every one of them. Accurate labels should also include the purity of the product, potency, the cannabis strains it was derived from, and what benefits it claims to have.
3. Beware false advertising
Because the CBD and cannabis market is exploding in popularity, competition is fierce. Many companies resort to false advertising in order to sell their products, promising health benefits that seem too good to be true. Sometimes, cannabis companies even deceive buyers into a purchase by packaging their products similarly to popular snacks.
To avoid falling into a trap, check for false advertising on the product. Look for overly optimistic promises and suspicious packaging. Cannabis companies are not allowed to make health claims, so if you see one, that’s a major red flag.
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When buying CBD, remember that there are many different types. Full spectrum uses all parts of the plant and tends to be more effective. Broad spectrum and isolate products are often used because they don’t have THC, but they may not work as well. Also, if you see “hemp seed oil” in the ingredients, there’s likely no CBD at all.
Find peace of mind with the highest-quality cannabis products
Finding trustworthy cannabis brands can be challenging. With so many cannabis products on the market and no federal regulation, lack of transparency and false advertising is rampant in the industry. But if you know what to look for on cannabis packaging and read your ingredient labels carefully, you’ll start recognizing what brands are worthy of your business.