Trusted CBD Sources. GMP Certified and Source

Trusted CBD Sources. GMP Certified and Source

With the growing popularity of CBD, there are numerous brands offering a range of CBD products. However, not all of these products are created equally. In addition to paying attention to the type of CBD product you want, you should also pay close attention to the source of the CBD.

The following information can help you understand how to find trusted CBD sources. 

GMP Certification

You should always choose CBD products from a source that is GMP-certified. GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practices. Although the certification is commonly used in pharmaceuticals, GMP certification is possible for a broad range of industries, including CBD companies. You may also see Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), which are regulations that the FDA enforces. Various organizations are authorized to grant GMP certification to a company. 

Common traits of GMP certification include: 

• Clean, hygienic manufacturing areas
• Controlled environment conditions in the manufacturing
• Defined and controlled manufacturing process
• Records showing all processes are followed
• Distribution minimizes risk to the products 
• There is a system to recall product batches

The Hemp Source

You must also pay attention to the source of the hemp or cannabis used to make the CBD products. Remember that hemp is considered a plant with less than 0.3% THC. Ideally, the hemp used for your chosen CBD product comes from a reliable source. 

It should be grown in an area with strict regulations in place, as these allow you to trust the quality of the plant. You should also opt for hemp grown without harsh chemicals like pesticides or fertilizers. There is also the chance that trace amounts of these chemicals will remain in the final CBD product, potentially putting you at risk. 

Generally speaking, the more information that a company has on its hemp source (or cannabis source) for CBD products, the better. It does not need to come from a specific farm, as long as there are quality standards in place, and no harsh chemicals are used. In the United States, most hemp for CBD is grown in Colorado, Oregon, and Kentucky.

Keep in mind that hemp grown overseas and then brought into the United States to make CBD products does not have to undergo federal or state testing. As such, there are almost no quality controls that you can be sure of. 

Look for Lab Testing

As part of your confirmation that the source of the CBD is trusted, look for lab test results. There should be a certificate of analysis or some type of lab results for CBD products from reputable sources. This is not a legal requirement, but the leading manufacturers offer these test certificates to provide peace of mind to consumers and show that they follow good practices. 

Some companies will display their lab tests right on their website, while others require you to contact them. Either way is fine, as long as you can access test results. The results should confirm that the CBD product has the advertised levels of CBD and does not have any contaminants that could be present due to low-quality sourcing.