With so many CBD products available on the market, it’s fairly easy to get overwhelmed and buy something that’s less than ideal for your needs. CBD goods come in many different forms, from gummies and tinctures to topicals and pet treats, meaning that it can be tough to pick the ideal product from the get-go.

However, this is not the only thing you need to be wary of when shopping for CBD products. It’s also important to make sure that you’re buying a product that’s legitimate.

With such a high demand for CBD goods, more and more businesses are trying to cash in on the craze. Unfortunately, not all of the products released are of the highest quality – some of them may not work at all. To help you avoid wasting your time and money, below, you’ll find some of the most useful tips on how to spot fake CBD products.

Read on and learn what makes a CBD item suspicious!

Watch Out for Clear, Plastic Bottles

CBD oil is liquid, and it needs to come in a fitting container – usually a bottle with a dropper. However, not all CBD bottles are made equal, especially if you’re buying from an unreliable source.

One of the most common ways to spot a fake or subpar CBD product is to look at the packaging. If it comes in a clear plastic bottle, there’s a good chance that it’s not as good as advertised.

Regardless of whether you want to get a full-spectrum CBD or a broad-spectrum CBD oil, if you source your cannabidiol products from a reliable manufacturer, you can expect the bottles to be made of dark-colored glass.

The reason for that is simple – CBD extracts are quite susceptible to UV light and might lose some of their beneficial effects if left exposed to the sun for too long. Clear plastic is not a good material for storing oil, as it will allow the light in, ultimately ruining the product. On the other hand, dark glass is more opaque and will significantly lengthen the shelf life of the oil.

However, even the best packaging on the market has its limits, so make sure to keep your CBD oil in a dark, cool place to maximize its efficacy.

Price Might Be An Indicator

Once you start shopping for CBD, you’ll quickly realize that the prices of the products can vary quite a lot. While some full-spectrum CBD tinctures might cost as little as $25, others might be twice or thrice that price.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that you will almost certainly get what you pay for when it comes to cannabidiol products. Cheap items are likely to be made of lower-quality CBD extract and may not be as effective as advertised. In some cases, the cheaper products might even be fake versions of the real thing.

The extraction process used to get premium-grade CBD oil from hemp is costly, which is why the finished product is unlikely to be as cheap as, say, a bottle of water. So, if you see a CBD product’s price that’s too good to be true – it probably is.

The COA Isn’t Available

Reliable manufacturers tend to include a certificate of analysis (COA) with their products. This document is usually available on the manufacturer’s website and provides customers with information about the purity of the product, as well as the levels of THC and CBD in it.

If you’re looking at a CBD item that doesn’t come with a COA, there’s a chance that it’s fake. Real products typically go through extensive third-party lab testing, which ensures that the content of hemp extract is consistent and meets the advertised standards. If the product you’re buying hasn’t been tested, you have no way of knowing if it’s as effective as advertised.

What’s even worse, it’s possible that the product you’re buying contains dangerous substances that aren’t listed on the package. Some unscrupulous manufacturers might add chemicals to their products to make them cheaper to produce or more potent. These additives might be harmful and cause serious side effects when consumed.

If you want to stay safe, stick to reputable providers that care about their customers and provide all the relevant information about their products.

The Place of Origin Is Unclear

When buying CBD products, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting them from a reliable source. The majority of legitimate cannabidiol products on the market come from reputable companies in the United States or Europe. Trusted retailers tend to have their own brick-and-mortar stores or websites, and you should always try to buy from them.

Buying your CBD goods from gas stations or roadside stalls might not be the best idea. Even if the cannabidiol products there are legitimate, the staff is unlikely to have any expertise in the field and won’t be able to help you choose the products best suited for your needs.

In contrast, employees at dedicated CBD stores usually are both passionate about the substance and have extensive knowledge necessary to help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

Not all CBD products on the market are as good as they look – some of them might be fake. However, if you know what to look for, it’s fairly easy to spot a subpar product and avoid wasting your money on something that won’t work.

When buying cannabidiol products, make sure to pay attention to the packaging. If the oil comes in a clear plastic bottle, there’s a good chance that it’s not as good as advertised. Also, make sure to check the price – premium quality cannabidiol isn’t cheap to produce, which is why the items that cost too little might be fake.

You should also look for a certificate of analysis. This document should be available on the manufacturer’s website and provides the customer with information about the purity of the product, as well as the levels of different cannabinoids in it. If it doesn’t have one, there’s no telling how effective the product actually is.

Finally, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting your CBD goods from a reliable source. Trusted retailers are much less likely to offer subpar CBD products than random gas stations or roadside stalls.

Hopefully, this article has helped you learn how to spot fake CBD products and avoid getting scammed! Good luck!