Cost vs Benefit: Why Investing in High-Quality CBD Is Worth It

Four years after the launch of the pilot programs that brought hemp cultivation back to American soil, experts estimated that 6% of US consumers were CBD users.¹ Analysts predicting that 35% of our population would be investing in CBD by 2024,² however, seem to have underestimated the cannabinoid's appeal. Today, recent polls show that more than 60% of US adults have tried CBD.³ 

There are also reports suggesting that far too many shoppers have mistakenly purchased inferior products incapable of meeting their expectations. Of course, their missteps were unintentional. We suspect they may have been making purchasing decisions like any other person concerned about getting the most mileage from their budget – by the cost. Once you understand the significance of prioritizing quality over price, we're confident you'll see the value of not having to sacrifice one for the other. 

Understanding the Factors Impacting CBD Quality   

Bargain shoppers aren't the only people paying the high price of inferior CBD. People who believe they get the best return on their investment by avoiding value-pricing are just as susceptible to purchasing products of questionable quality. Their disappointment is just more expensive. Since It's clear that consumers on both ends of the shopping spectrum are being taken advantage of, every CBD user needs a basic understanding of how manufacturers making the best CBD ensure product quality, overall safety, and consumer satisfaction.   

Farming Practices  

Natural farming methods are essential for producing high-quality hemp. Pre-planting soil testing is an industry essential because hemp is an effective phytoremediator – a crop known for drawing potentially harmful substances from the soil and groundwater. That's why reputable CBD brands rely on crops grown without pesticides of any kind. Any substances absorbed during a plant's lifecycle could contaminate its cannabinoid-rich extracts.⁴

Extraction Methods  

Once hemp crops have matured, they're harvested, dried, and the oil is extracted from the flower. Some methods can leave potentially harmful solvent residue in the extracted oils. As a consumer, it's best to invest in CBD obtained through food-safe extraction methods. In the cannabis industry, CO2 is the gold standard for full spectrum and broad spectrum hemp extract.⁵ It's clean, non-toxic, sustainable, and renewable. Ethanol extraction is best for obtaining premium-quality CBD isolate powder.⁶

Quality Control Standards   

Shoppers tend to assume they're protected from purchasing low-quality consumables. Although the FDA has rapidly evolving requirements in place, hemp-derived products are not fully regulated. CBD users can protect themselves from the consequences of questionable quality control standards by sticking with brands crafting their CBD oil tinctures, gummies, softgels, and topicals in a cGMP-certified facility. They're FDA-inspected and comply with all industry-specific good manufacturing practices.⁷ 

Low-Quality CBD: Recognizing the Red Flags and Warning Signs 

Public interest in natural, holistic health and wellness is stronger today than ever. Of course, one of the first things shoppers usually notice about hemp-derived CBD products is their cost – especially when compared to other plant oils and extracts. That's why it's essential to understand how companies looking to profit from CBD's popularity are taking advantage of consumers looking for a bargain. 

That said, it's also important to understand that not all low-quality CBD products are sold intentionally. Some companies eager to add CBD to their inventories trust their supplier to ensure product quality on their behalf – meaning you could purchase low-quality CBD in an otherwise high-quality establishment. But once you're more familiar with the following red flags and warning signs, inferior CBD products are much easier to avoid, regardless of where you shop.   

Lower than Average Pricing  

Most reputable CBD brands keep their pricing levels competitive with other respected industry leaders. Unlike many other personal care products, you're not charged by the number of fluid ounces of product in a bottle or supplements in a jar. CBD prices are based on the total number of milligrams in the package and their product type. Most often, exceptionally large bottles of CBD oil and smaller bottles sold at unusually low prices are highly diluted with inexpensive carrier oils or other ingredients. 

An Unspecified Type of Hemp Oil   

Exceptionally low prices could also be a red flag suggesting product misrepresentation, a common tactic used by sellers on popular ecommerce sites. People interested in purchasing CBD are misled by clever packaging and marketing tactics by companies selling tinctures, topicals, capsules, and gummies made with inexpensive hemp seed oil – not the oil extracted from hemp flower. Although cold-pressed hemp seed oil does contain vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, there's no CBD.⁸

Lack of Transparency  

Reputable CBD brands invest in third-party testing to verify product purity, potency, and overall consistency. They pay an independent lab to screen each new batch for heavy metals, extraction residue, mold, bacteria, and more. The best way to ensure you're not getting poor-quality CBD is to look for a certificate of analysis (COA) – a document that confirms your CBD has been tested. If a brand is not completely transparent about its batch test results, move on. Of the 75% of brands claiming their CBD is third-party tested, only 13% test at least 90% of their products.⁹ 

The Hidden Costs of Purchasing Low-Quality CBD  

CBD (cannabidiol) is the most abundant of more than 113 potentially beneficial cannabinoids in high-quality full spectrum hemp flower extract. When you swallow CBD, the cannabinoids interact with more than 65 molecular targets. Most experts credit CBD's impact to its indirect influence on the largest regulatory system in the human body, the endocannabinoid system ECS).¹⁰

Most researchers believe supporting ECS function with CBD – a plant-based version of similar chemical messengers produced as needed in the body, helps restore balance (homeostasis) when internal or external stressors threaten essential equilibrium.11 Based on a 2019 CBDistillery® survey of 1,900 customers, most CBD users report positive results using our high-quality products for relaxation, better sleep, mild or temporary anxiety, and discomfort after physical activity. 

People buying low-quality CBD, on the other hand, unknowingly support businesses prioritizing profit margins over consumer well-being – companies that could also be using unsustainable cultivation practices, potentially harmful extraction methods, and unethical marketing tactics. Far too often, unsuspecting consumers assume CBD – rather than their unfortunate purchase – doesn't work. 

CBD Cost Analysis: Making Informed Decisions About the Products You Select  

As a consumer who understands the many variables involved in producing high-quality CBD, you're less likely to purchase tinctures, topicals, softgels, or gummies from companies taking advantage of the cannabinoid's popularity at the expense of their customers. You may still, however, end up paying more for your CBD products than necessary if you make snap judgments. 

As you compare product prices between brands providing a detailed certificate of analysis – your new non-negotiable – all you need is a simple math equation to determine which companies offer the best prices. Just divide the unit price by the total amount of CBD in the bottle, jar, or pouch to calculate your cost per milligram. You may also want to consider any incentives that could impact your costs over time - loyalty programs, shipping charges, or subscription pricing, for example. 

What Consumers Should Know Before Adding CBD to Their Daily Routines  

Whether you're shopping for your first CBD product or have been stung by an unfortunate purchase in the past, there are several things to know about CBD use that could significantly impact your overall experience. First and foremost – it's important to understand that no two CBD users are exactly the same. Although you'll see serving size suggestions printed on nearly every product label, those instructions may not be right for you. You could need more; you might get better results with less. 

That's why most experts recommend that first-time CBD users start with a partial serving and increase gradually (if necessary) in small increments over time. The goal is to determine the smallest amount of CBD needed for the desired effect. Starting low and going slow not only helps you determine your ideal serving size, you're also reducing your risk of developing side effects, symptoms that could include unexpected fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, or digestive upset.¹¹ Taking more CBD than you need isn't harmful, but it can be costly over time. 

Shopping Smarter: Discover Why Cost-Conscious Consumers Choose CBDistillery® CBD Products     

Shoppers choosing CBDistillery® products don't have to worry about sacrificing even a smidgen of quality to enjoy our fairly priced products. As a vertically integrated company, we have full control over every aspect of production, everything from seed selection to distribution. We were also one of the first CBD brands (possibly the first) to post every certificate of analysis on our product pages.   

Whether you're shopping for the first time or giving CBD a second chance, we're confident that you'll appreciate the exceptional value of our hemp-derived products. We believe their impressive range of possible benefits completely justifies their cost. If you're leaning toward trying CBD but not quite sure where to begin, consider taking our CBD Product Quiz or requesting a personal consultation. Most of our 2019 survey respondents reported achieving their best results within 7-14 days of consistent use. If you have a medical condition or take medication, consult your healthcare professional. 

References 

1. Diena Y. (2023) 94+ CBD Statistics, Facts & Demographics. Ambitions. 

2. Julia (2023) CBD Statistics: Usage Data & Demographics (2023 Update). CFAH 

3. Hall A. (2023) CBD Statistics, Data And Use (2024). Forbes Health. 

4. Placido D, Lee C. (2022) Potential of Industrial Hemp for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals. 11(5) Plants 595. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11050595 

5. Valizadehderakhshan M, Shahbazi A, et al. (2021) Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp)—Review. 11(5) Agriculture 384. ttps://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050384 

6. Wilcox A. (2019) Ethanol Extraction vs CO2 Extraction: What Is the Best Way to Make Hemp Oil? Herb. 

7. Facts About the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP). (2024) FDA. 

8. Caporuscio J. (2020) What Is the Difference Between Hemp Seed Oil and CBD Oil? Medical News Today. 

9. Harrington A. (2021) 25% of CBD Products Are Not Tested for Purity. Forbes. 

10. Rudd J. (2023) CBD vs THC – What Are the Main Differences? Analytical Cannabis. 

11. Bergamaschi M, Mateus R, et al. (2011) Safety and Side Effect of Cannabidiol, a Cannabis Sativa Constituent. 6(4) Curr Drug Saf 237-49. https://doi.org/10.2174/157488611798280924