Buy Cannabis Online? 6 Tips for Safe Cannabis Shopping

In today’s day and age there really isn’t much you can’t buy over the internet. And while this offers maximum convenience, it also means there are thousands of product variations to choose from — not all of which are reliable. 

If you’re tempted to buy cannabis online to treat any number of ailments, you can find a plethora of online dispensaries all touting the efficacy of their cannabis products. But no matter how legitimate their website and product looks, you need to do some research before you ”add to cart”. 

Here’s how to shop for and choose a reliable CBD product online today. 

1. Decide Why You Want To Buy Cannabis Online 

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This might sound like a bit of an obvious point, but it’s important to think about how and why you want to try out CBD. While it does offer a myriad of health benefits, do any of these actually apply to you and your health? 

If you’re curious and want to try out CBD for its calming effects, then that’s reason enough. But it’s important to do your research on the safe use of CBD according to your health needs and any other medications you’re taking. 

Then, you’ll need to decide what form of CBD to purchase. Today, you can find CBD in pill, tincture, topical, edible, and drink form. You can also vape or smoke CBD products if you prefer. All of these different methods of ingesting CBD deliver different effects. 

It’s a good idea to research the best form of CBD for you and how it can help to alleviate your symptoms effectively. 

2. Always Consider the THC Content of a CBD Product

The most commonly asked question regarding the use of CBD is whether it will make you feel high. The long and short answer is no, not if it contains 0.3 percent THC or less.

Depending on what state you live in, it’s difficult to find CBD products that contain more than 0.3 percent THC anyway. This is because anything higher than this makes the product illegal to sell. 

Then there’s also hemp. If you’re considering a hemp-based product, bear in mind that it should contain little to no THC content at all. This is just the nature of the hemp vs. the cannabis plant. 

THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that makes you feel high. For some people, they might not be able to feel the effect of 0.3 percent THC. For others, it might be noticeable.

THC also has beneficial properties of its own which can often improve health outcomes when it’s included in a CBD product. This is known as the entourage effect in the world of CBD. 

If you’re new to CBD and want to play it safe, opt for a hemp-based product or a CBD isolate product that does not contain THC. Check out cannibros top cannabis strains for more. 

3. Always Research Where and How Hemp Is Grown

If you choose to go with a hemp-based product, it’s up to you to research how and where the hemp grows. The source of hemp is important because of its legal THC content as well as the use of harmful pesticides on the plant. 

In the U.S., you’ll find that most hemp products originate from Colorado, Oregon, and Kentucky. In some cases, online dispensaries might import hemp from overseas.

Bear in mind that Colorado has one of the best and most robust hemp-growing programs in the country. They conduct regular spot tests of hemp plants to assess legal THC levels as well as the use of illegal pesticides. 

Foreign imports of hemp are not always as reliable. This is because they forgo federal or state testing and their manufacturing processes are very different. So, where possible, always opt for locally-grown hemp. 

4. Look For an Official Certificate of Analysis

Every legitimate online dispensary that takes pride in their CBD/hemp products will offer up a certificate of analysis (COA) of their products. Basically, this document outlines the tests performed on each product, CBD and THC levels, and any known contaminants. 

It’s important to note that COA testing is not a mandatory prerequisite for many companies selling CBD products. In fact, it’s on them to arrange for COA testing on their own. Some manufacturers don’t take this step, so these are the companies you want to avoid. 

If an online retailer does not openly offer up COA testing information, this is a red flag. You want to avoid their products altogether. 

5. Purchase Products That Clearly List CBD Amounts

When you’re a beginner in the world of CBD, dosing can seem like a completely foreign concept. How much is right for you and what will work best? Well, the best way to find out is through trial and error, but an online dispensary should also be there to help you. 

When you purchase products online, always look at products that list the full dose amount in the whole bottle, as well as recommended dosing for beginners. For example, the product should list each dose in milligrams (mgs). Bear in mind that each dose amount will vary greatly depending on the form of the product. 

For example, if you want to purchase a tincture, always opt for a product with no more than 10mgs of CBD per dose. This is a safe place to start. 

You also want to be wary of products that only list the type of cannabinoids they contain, i.e. CBD, THC, CBG, etc. You’ll find these products listed as ”full-spectrum” or ”whole plant” CBD or hemp products. They’re not always the best product to opt for if you’re new to CBD because you can’t determine exactly what’s in them. 

6. Get To Know What Other Terms Mean 

The more information on the label of a CBD product, the better. But in many cases, you might not know what this terminology means if you haven’t done your own research. 

Before you purchase a CBD product, acquaint yourself with some common terms so that you can better understand what you’re reading. It’s also a good idea to learn about CBD extraction what makes a truly reliable, effective CBD product. 

When it comes to the term ”CO2 extraction”, keep an open mind. This means that they use high-pressure carbon dioxide gas to remove CBD and other products from the plant. It also means that they don’t use any chemical solvents during the process.

Now, this might sound like a healthier or safer option, but it depends on the CO2 extraction process and techniques they use. This is why an online dispensary should offer information on their CO2 extraction processes so that you have a clear idea. 

You should be able to find this information on their website. 

Broaden Your CBD Knowledge Right Here 

If you want to buy cannabis online in the safest way possible, you have to do your due diligence. An online site might make sweeping health claims that sucker you in. But if they can’t back any of it up, then these are the products to avoid! 

Learn more about the healing properties of cannabis, how to choose CBD products, and more by exploring the rest of this site.