Buyers Guide
The Yummy CBD Buyers Guide
Are you excited to be trying CBD, but don’t know where to start? As a first-time buyer in the vast, confusing CBD marketplace, it can be difficult to know what you need, how you need it, and where to purchase the best CBD products for your specific needs.
Misinformation is the name of the game when it comes to CBD and hemp. Everyone is an armchair expert, but few have the real knowledge to back up their advice. Many sellers make erroneous, false, or downright dangerous claims about their CBD products. That’s why you need solid information backed by science to help guide you from your very first CBD purchase forward.
We want you to have only positive experiences using CBD products with proven efficacy and safety. That’s why we created this easy-to-follow CBD Buyers Guide. It’s got everything you need to know about choosing, buying, and using CBD products.
Wondering if CBD might be right for you?
The cannabidiol (CBD) industry is thriving, and thousands of sellers are appearing online to help meet the demand for CBD oils and other CBD products. There are so many different retailers to choose from, and many make very similar claims and use similar language. All of them claim to be the best CBD oil company around and swear that CBD is the miracle cure for whatever ails you.
Of course, this isn’t remotely true. While CBD oil is good for many different things, it’s not some sort of a miracle cure-all. You should never ditch modern medicine or discontinue treatment for a severe illness or condition to go on a CBD-only therapy. However, for many mild conditions and as a supplemental therapy, CBD can be incredibly effective.
To make sure you buy the best CBD oil or edible for your needs, you need to understand where the CBD comes from, how CBD is measured, what the potency is, and how companies can prove their products have the amount listed on the packaging.
Then you can start to dig deeper and understand how the way you ingest CBD can change how it affects you, why different strains are good for different symptoms, and whether oil or gummies might be better for your needs. To start, let’s dive into where CBD comes from.
Hemp vs. Marijuana
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid found in plants from the Cannabacea family. There are three primary species that produce CBD.
Cannabis Sativa is the most widely grown and prolific species of cannabis plant around the world. The species has many different strains, and each strain has a different amount of CBD and other cannabinoids, including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
Strains of C. Sativa which contain less than 0.3% of THC by dried weight are legally classified as hemp by the U.S. government. Since CBD isn’t psychoactive, hemp can be high in CBD. Strains of C. Sativa with more than that level of THC are classified as marijuana. Cannabis Indica is another popular species of cannabis plant, and is typically also high in THC, meaning it is marijuana, not hemp.
THC, being a psychoactive, is what gives marijuana its euphoric, “mind-altering” or “high-inducing” properties. In contrast, CBD is more likely to make you feel more relaxed, have lower anxiety, be better able to sleep, and experience lower levels of pain.
The main thing you need to look for when you are buying CBD oil or CBD edibles is that the source you are buying from can prove their CBD products are compliant with the 0.3% or less THC rule. However, CBD works better when it is accompanied by other cannabinoids. This means you want a “full spectrum” hemp-derived product that is low in THC, but which hasn’t been stripped of all cannabinoids besides CBD. Yummy CBD products are made with full spectrum cannabinoids and contain less than 0.3% THC.
What is the CBD potency?
Does more expensive mean a stronger product? Not at all. In fact, CBD oil is often priced based on marketing and target demographic more than it is based on the quality of the product. It may be labeled as being stronger, or “blended with special ingredients to increase potency”, but that’s typically just sales talk designed to get you to make a purchase.
The potency of CBD oil should be clearly stated on the label, but that’s not all. Anyone can print something on a label. You need assurance that the potency listed is accurate. This means:
-
Learning to read labels and differentiate between the potency of a whole bottle vs a dose
-
Knowing where and how to look for information on the company’s manufacturing process
-
Finding and viewing lab reports or Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the product batch
First, the label. If a label says the total amount of CBD in a bottle is 1000 mg, and that a “serving” is 33 mg, then there are around 30 “servings” in the bottle. A serving may be measured in drops or a dropperful. CBD may be sold as a tincture, an oil, a capsule, a gummy, or a topical. We label all Yummy CBD products in accordance with FDA requirements; each package is clearly marked with the total potency, number of servings, and amount per serving.
Second, the manufacturing process. You want a product that is clearly labeled as being from grown and harvested hemp. Hemp that is certified organic and GMO-free can provide a very pure product. Some brands will even declare what specific farm the hemp used in their products was sourced from. All Yummy CBD products are made from hemp harvested from organic certified USA-based farms and are non-GMO and free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, solvents, and fungus.
Third, the lab reports and CoAs. Reputable CBD sellers will have all their batches tested by an independent third-party laboratory and will be able to provide a report or a Certificate of Analysis to attest to their CBD product’s potency. We send every batch of our Yummy CBD products to be third-party lab tested and post the results on our website.
Many states require that CBD labeling must include a barcode or QR code that can be scanned to reveal this type of information. If it isn’t readily available, ask your seller to produce their CoA and if they can’t or you suspect that CoA is not authentic, then choose another seller. Every Yummy CBD product package includes a QR code linked to that batch’s actual lab report.
Choosing your CBD delivery system
Different people like to take CBD in different ways. Two of the most common are oils and gummies.
CBD oils
CBD oils usually are administered using a dropper marked with dosage lines allowing you to adjust your dose up and down a few mg at a time. The CBD oil works best when it goes under your tongue (sublingually). You can hold it in your mouth for 60-90 seconds before swallowing it for faster effects.
Dosing with oil means that the CBD enters your body quickly and you can start feeling the effects very swiftly, usually within 20-30 minutes. You should take CBD oil after a meal or a snack to help even out the effects and make them last longer. Depending on the potency and the dose, your CBD relief can last for 2-6 hours.
You can also take your CBD oil directly with food or drink. If you choose this option, expect to wait about 60 to 90 minutes before the effects kick in, but you’ll also be able to benefit from the relief for a longer period, from 4-8 hours.
Oils can be flavored with natural fruits or herbs to give the CBD oil a delicious taste. This makes it more enjoyable to take your daily dose(s) and can complement anything that you choose to mix them with.
Always look at the labeling to see what oil is being used as the carrier oil. Coconut oil (which is what we use for Yummy CBD oils) is a preferred carrier as it is very stable and has a long shelf life if you store it in a cool, dark place. (Don’t worry, they don’t have to go in the fridge.)
CBD gummies
If you don’t like messing around with the oil and trying to get the exact dose, CBD gummies give you an easy way to get the exact amount of CBD you want every time. (You’ll just have to make sure to hide your “special gummies” where no kids can find them!)
Gummies are labeled similarly to oil, with the amount per serving/gummy specified as well as the total amount of CBD in the bag (amount per gummy times the number of gummies.) Gummies can be flavored with fruits and sweetened with natural syrups for a delicious taste.
Like CBD oil mixed with food or drink, the CBD in gummies gets into your system more slowly but lasts for a long time. You’ll probably start noticing effects 30-90 minutes after eating a gummy, begin enjoying the full effects an hour or two in, and ride the relief wave for a full 6-8 hours.
Gummies also have a decent shelf life if they are kept in a sealed bag in a cool, dry, dark place. The top shelf of your pantry or bedroom closet might be a good spot, or maybe in a locked wardrobe or medicine cabinet if you have kids in the house.
What is CBD good for?
Most people who take CBD say it helps them feel more relaxed, especially if they suffer from stress or anxiety. Many say that CBD helps them fall asleep better and get more restful sleep. Others take CBD because they say it reduces their chronic pain.
In a world where almost everyone is dealing with at least one of these issues, CBD can certainly seem like a great way to explore a more holistic way of dealing with stressors, sleeplessness, nagging pain, as well as distracting worries and thoughts.
You may need to experiment with CBD dosages for a few weeks or a month to find out what type of delivery system, strain, and dosage amount gives you the effect you are looking for. Everyone’s metabolism is different, and your body may process or react to CBD differently than someone else’s.
Keeping a journal for a month and making sure to note your state of mind and pain levels before and after CBD use, whether you took CBD with food or by itself, your meals on days you take CBD, and your sleep patterns can help you figure out your own unique reaction to CBD and how to maximize its positive effects.
Where to buy CBD?
You’re probably spoiled for choice when it comes to buying CBD oils, CBD gummies, and other CBD products. If you live in an area where CBD use has really caught on, you may have dispensaries or boutique retail shops close by. While these can be convenient, they may not deliver the quality control you need to achieve maximum benefit from CBD use.
You see, most shops simply buy their CBD products from various distributors or external extractors, and they may not have lab reports, purity analyses, or CoAs available for you. This means you’re going in blind and hoping you’re getting a product that is what the seller says it is.
Buying online can also be problematic, unless you’re buying directly from a company that can supply you with information about their manufacturing process and produce verified lab reports/CoAs. If you choose to buy CBD oil online, buying direct is the best option.
To ensure the best quality and utmost safety, Yummy CBD exclusively uses organic hemp grown by our partner farms here in the USA, and all production is done onsite at our FDA-registered facility. In addition, all our products go through third-party, independent lab testing, and the Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) are posted online.
Questions to ask your CBD provider
By asking your CBD vendor these questions, you can help “weed” out bad sellers and ensure that you’re buying high-quality CBD products.
What kind of cannabis plant is this CBD extracted from?
The answer to this question should always be “ High-quality industrial hemp .” Answers like “ Cannabis sativa ” are not specific enough. (Yummy CBD products are made from high-quality industrial hemp.)
What is the THC content of this product?
The answer to this question should always be “less than 0.3% ”. Don’t accept vague replies like “o nly trace amounts .” (Yummy CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC and are backed by lab test results.)
Are your products in full compliance with U.S. law?
Reputable CBD product manufacturers and sellers will be in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill and the U.S. Controlled Substance Act. (Yummy CBD products are fully compliant and can be shipped to all 50 states.)
Where was the hemp grown and harvested?
Your CBD supplier should be able to give you the location of the farm where the hemp was cultivated and show proof if it is labeled as organic-certified. (Our hemp is non-genetically modified (Non-GMO) and grown on organic farms here in the USA, mostly Wisconsin. Our certified organic CBD oil is certified by MOSA and labeled with the “USDA Organic” seal.)
How was the hemp processed?
If the seller claims the hemp in their CBD products is organic, their production should be done at a USDA Organic certified and MOSA approved facility to ensure the highest quality controls. Accept no substitutes . (All Yummy CBD products are processed at a USDA Organic certified and MOSA approved facility following very high extraction and purification standards.)
Can I see the lab report or CoA?
Your CBD product should have been tested and certified by a third-party laboratory for purity and potency. An honest seller should have no problem producing reports or a CoA for you to review. (We send every batch to be tested by an independent lab. Every package has a QR code linked to that product’s lab results. And we post all the Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) on our website.
Avoid sellers who make grandiose claims about their product. If a CBD oil is touted as being able to “cure cancer”, run the other direction. Reputable, knowledgeable, and honest CBD product vendors will tell the truth about what CBD can and can’t do. (Yummy CBD makes no medical claims for any of our CBD products.)
Are you ready to make your first CBD purchase?
Congratulations! You are now a savvy CBD buyer. If you’re ready to make your first purchase of CBD, we have a few recommendations. Visit our SHOP page and start discovering what CBD can do for you!
Join and Save
Sign up to get access to special offers and to be notified of promotions.
Join and Save
Sign up to get access to special offers and to be notified of promotions.
Buyers Guide
The Yummy CBD Buyers Guide
Are you excited to be trying CBD, but don’t know where to start? As a first-time buyer in the vast, confusing CBD marketplace, it can be difficult to know what you need, how you need it, and where to purchase the best CBD products for your specific needs.
Misinformation is the name of the game when it comes to CBD and hemp. Everyone is an armchair expert, but few have the real knowledge to back up their advice. Many sellers make erroneous, false, or downright dangerous claims about their CBD products. That’s why you need solid information backed by science to help guide you from your very first CBD purchase forward.
We want you to have only positive experiences using CBD products with proven efficacy and safety. That’s why we created this easy-to-follow CBD Buyers Guide. It’s got everything you need to know about choosing, buying, and using CBD products.
Wondering if CBD might be right for you?
The cannabidiol (CBD) industry is thriving, and thousands of sellers are appearing online to help meet the demand for CBD oils and other CBD products. There are so many different retailers to choose from, and many make very similar claims and use similar language. All of them claim to be the best CBD oil company around and swear that CBD is the miracle cure for whatever ails you.
Of course, this isn’t remotely true. While CBD oil is good for many different things, it’s not some sort of a miracle cure-all. You should never ditch modern medicine or discontinue treatment for a severe illness or condition to go on a CBD-only therapy. However, for many mild conditions and as a supplemental therapy, CBD can be incredibly effective.
To make sure you buy the best CBD oil or edible for your needs, you need to understand where the CBD comes from, how CBD is measured, what the potency is, and how companies can prove their products have the amount listed on the packaging.
Then you can start to dig deeper and understand how the way you ingest CBD can change how it affects you, why different strains are good for different symptoms, and whether oil or gummies might be better for your needs. To start, let’s dive into where CBD comes from.
Hemp vs. Marijuana
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid found in plants from the Cannabacea family. There are three primary species that produce CBD.
Cannabis Sativa is the most widely grown and prolific species of cannabis plant around the world. The species has many different strains, and each strain has a different amount of CBD and other cannabinoids, including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
Strains of C. Sativa which contain less than 0.3% of THC by dried weight are legally classified as hemp by the U.S. government. Since CBD isn’t psychoactive, hemp can be high in CBD. Strains of C. Sativa with more than that level of THC are classified as marijuana. Cannabis Indica is another popular species of cannabis plant, and is typically also high in THC, meaning it is marijuana, not hemp.
THC, being a psychoactive, is what gives marijuana its euphoric, “mind-altering” or “high-inducing” properties. In contrast, CBD is more likely to make you feel more relaxed, have lower anxiety, be better able to sleep, and experience lower levels of pain.
The main thing you need to look for when you are buying CBD oil or CBD edibles is that the source you are buying from can prove their CBD products are compliant with the 0.3% or less THC rule. However, CBD works better when it is accompanied by other cannabinoids. This means you want a “full spectrum” hemp-derived product that is low in THC, but which hasn’t been stripped of all cannabinoids besides CBD. Yummy CBD products are made with full spectrum cannabinoids and contain less than 0.3% THC.
What is the CBD potency?
Does more expensive mean a stronger product? Not at all. In fact, CBD oil is often priced based on marketing and target demographic more than it is based on the quality of the product. It may be labeled as being stronger, or “blended with special ingredients to increase potency”, but that’s typically just sales talk designed to get you to make a purchase.
The potency of CBD oil should be clearly stated on the label, but that’s not all. Anyone can print something on a label. You need assurance that the potency listed is accurate. This means:
-
Learning to read labels and differentiate between the potency of a whole bottle vs a dose
-
Knowing where and how to look for information on the company’s manufacturing process
-
Finding and viewing lab reports or Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the product batch
First, the label. If a label says the total amount of CBD in a bottle is 1000 mg, and that a “serving” is 33 mg, then there are around 30 “servings” in the bottle. A serving may be measured in drops or a dropperful. CBD may be sold as a tincture, an oil, a capsule, a gummy, or a topical. We label all Yummy CBD products in accordance with FDA requirements; each package is clearly marked with the total potency, number of servings, and amount per serving.
Second, the manufacturing process. You want a product that is clearly labeled as being from grown and harvested hemp. Hemp that is certified organic and GMO-free can provide a very pure product. Some brands will even declare what specific farm the hemp used in their products was sourced from. All Yummy CBD products are made from hemp harvested from organic certified USA-based farms and are non-GMO and free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, solvents, and fungus.
Third, the lab reports and CoAs. Reputable CBD sellers will have all their batches tested by an independent third-party laboratory and will be able to provide a report or a Certificate of Analysis to attest to their CBD product’s potency. We send every batch of our Yummy CBD products to be third-party lab tested and post the results on our website.
Many states require that CBD labeling must include a barcode or QR code that can be scanned to reveal this type of information. If it isn’t readily available, ask your seller to produce their CoA and if they can’t or you suspect that CoA is not authentic, then choose another seller. Every Yummy CBD product package includes a QR code linked to that batch’s actual lab report.
Choosing your CBD delivery system
Different people like to take CBD in different ways. Two of the most common are oils and gummies.
CBD oils
CBD oils usually are administered using a dropper marked with dosage lines allowing you to adjust your dose up and down a few mg at a time. The CBD oil works best when it goes under your tongue (sublingually). You can hold it in your mouth for 60-90 seconds before swallowing it for faster effects.
Dosing with oil means that the CBD enters your body quickly and you can start feeling the effects very swiftly, usually within 20-30 minutes. You should take CBD oil after a meal or a snack to help even out the effects and make them last longer. Depending on the potency and the dose, your CBD relief can last for 2-6 hours.
You can also take your CBD oil directly with food or drink. If you choose this option, expect to wait about 60 to 90 minutes before the effects kick in, but you’ll also be able to benefit from the relief for a longer period, from 4-8 hours.
Oils can be flavored with natural fruits or herbs to give the CBD oil a delicious taste. This makes it more enjoyable to take your daily dose(s) and can complement anything that you choose to mix them with.
Always look at the labeling to see what oil is being used as the carrier oil. Coconut oil (which is what we use for Yummy CBD oils) is a preferred carrier as it is very stable and has a long shelf life if you store it in a cool, dark place. (Don’t worry, they don’t have to go in the fridge.)
CBD gummies
If you don’t like messing around with the oil and trying to get the exact dose, CBD gummies give you an easy way to get the exact amount of CBD you want every time. (You’ll just have to make sure to hide your “special gummies” where no kids can find them!)
Gummies are labeled similarly to oil, with the amount per serving/gummy specified as well as the total amount of CBD in the bag (amount per gummy times the number of gummies.) Gummies can be flavored with fruits and sweetened with natural syrups for a delicious taste.
Like CBD oil mixed with food or drink, the CBD in gummies gets into your system more slowly but lasts for a long time. You’ll probably start noticing effects 30-90 minutes after eating a gummy, begin enjoying the full effects an hour or two in, and ride the relief wave for a full 6-8 hours.
Gummies also have a decent shelf life if they are kept in a sealed bag in a cool, dry, dark place. The top shelf of your pantry or bedroom closet might be a good spot, or maybe in a locked wardrobe or medicine cabinet if you have kids in the house.
What is CBD good for?
Most people who take CBD say it helps them feel more relaxed, especially if they suffer from stress or anxiety. Many say that CBD helps them fall asleep better and get more restful sleep. Others take CBD because they say it reduces their chronic pain.
In a world where almost everyone is dealing with at least one of these issues, CBD can certainly seem like a great way to explore a more holistic way of dealing with stressors, sleeplessness, nagging pain, as well as distracting worries and thoughts.
You may need to experiment with CBD dosages for a few weeks or a month to find out what type of delivery system, strain, and dosage amount gives you the effect you are looking for. Everyone’s metabolism is different, and your body may process or react to CBD differently than someone else’s.
Keeping a journal for a month and making sure to note your state of mind and pain levels before and after CBD use, whether you took CBD with food or by itself, your meals on days you take CBD, and your sleep patterns can help you figure out your own unique reaction to CBD and how to maximize its positive effects.
Where to buy CBD?
You’re probably spoiled for choice when it comes to buying CBD oils, CBD gummies, and other CBD products. If you live in an area where CBD use has really caught on, you may have dispensaries or boutique retail shops close by. While these can be convenient, they may not deliver the quality control you need to achieve maximum benefit from CBD use.
You see, most shops simply buy their CBD products from various distributors or external extractors, and they may not have lab reports, purity analyses, or CoAs available for you. This means you’re going in blind and hoping you’re getting a product that is what the seller says it is.
Buying online can also be problematic, unless you’re buying directly from a company that can supply you with information about their manufacturing process and produce verified lab reports/CoAs. If you choose to buy CBD oil online, buying direct is the best option.
To ensure the best quality and utmost safety, Yummy CBD exclusively uses organic hemp grown by our partner farms here in the USA, and all production is done onsite at our FDA-registered facility. In addition, all our products go through third-party, independent lab testing, and the Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) are posted online.
Questions to ask your CBD provider
By asking your CBD vendor these questions, you can help “weed” out bad sellers and ensure that you’re buying high-quality CBD products.
What kind of cannabis plant is this CBD extracted from?
The answer to this question should always be “ High-quality industrial hemp .” Answers like “ Cannabis sativa ” are not specific enough. (Yummy CBD products are made from high-quality industrial hemp.)
What is the THC content of this product?
The answer to this question should always be “less than 0.3% ”. Don’t accept vague replies like “o nly trace amounts .” (Yummy CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC and are backed by lab test results.)
Are your products in full compliance with U.S. law?
Reputable CBD product manufacturers and sellers will be in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill and the U.S. Controlled Substance Act. (Yummy CBD products are fully compliant and can be shipped to all 50 states.)
Where was the hemp grown and harvested?
Your CBD supplier should be able to give you the location of the farm where the hemp was cultivated and show proof if it is labeled as organic-certified. (Our hemp is non-genetically modified (Non-GMO) and grown on organic farms here in the USA, mostly Wisconsin. Our certified organic CBD oil is certified by MOSA and labeled with the “USDA Organic” seal.)
How was the hemp processed?
If the seller claims the hemp in their CBD products is organic, their production should be done at a USDA Organic certified and MOSA approved facility to ensure the highest quality controls. Accept no substitutes . (All Yummy CBD products are processed at a USDA Organic certified and MOSA approved facility following very high extraction and purification standards.)
Can I see the lab report or CoA?
Your CBD product should have been tested and certified by a third-party laboratory for purity and potency. An honest seller should have no problem producing reports or a CoA for you to review. (We send every batch to be tested by an independent lab. Every package has a QR code linked to that product’s lab results. And we post all the Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) on our website.
Avoid sellers who make grandiose claims about their product. If a CBD oil is touted as being able to “cure cancer”, run the other direction. Reputable, knowledgeable, and honest CBD product vendors will tell the truth about what CBD can and can’t do. (Yummy CBD makes no medical claims for any of our CBD products.)
Are you ready to make your first CBD purchase?
Congratulations! You are now a savvy CBD buyer. If you’re ready to make your first purchase of CBD, we have a few recommendations. Visit our SHOP page and start discovering what CBD can do for you!
Join and Save
Sign up to get access to special offers and to be notified of promotions.
Join and Save
Sign up to get access to special offers and to be notified of promotions.