The market for hemp-derived CBD oil has experienced rapid growth in recent years after the federal legalization in 2018. The explosion in demand for CBD has created an abundance of CBD brands, touting the benefits and uses. Because the industry is still young, there is still a lack of regulation by the USDA and FDA, meaning there are brands making outrageous claims and selling products that contain little to no CBD at all. For someone looking to try CBD for the first time, trying to decipher which brands are trustworthy can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are reputable companies out there that believe in selling ethical and trustworthy CBD products including Populum and Charlotte's Web. When choosing a high-quality CBD brand, comparing the brands can be difficult for even experienced users. Not all CBD is created equal and this guide will help you to understand some of the nuances when comparing brands.

Factors To Look For When Choosing CBD

1. Is the CBD third-party lab tested?

Look for companies who are transparent about their ingredients. One way CBD brands hold themselves accountable is by sending products to a non-affiliated lab to test for purity and strength.

Companies who are transparent and third-party test will have it listed on their website. Oftentimes they will also include the results in their packaging or send it to customers directly. If an online manufacturer or a retail store doesn’t have the information, or refuses to share it, it is often best avoid that product and the retailer.

2. What type of CBD are you purchasing?

There are three main types of CBD products on the market right now including:

• CBD Isolate: contains only CBD with no other cannabinoids
• Full-spectrum: contains all cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis plant, including THC
• Broad-spectrum: contains multiple cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis plant, but doesn’t contain THC

Typically, full-spectrum products tend to be the most effective because the hemp flower is minimally refined. Learn more about full-spectrum vs isolates.

3. What cannabinoids does it contain?

A full-spectrum CBD oil will contain a number of cannabinoids that work together to create what is known as the "entourage effect". This means that all the compounds work together to create the most effective form of CBD. THC and CBD are the most famous cannabinoids, but others include CBC, CBG and CBN. Different cannabinoids have different benefits and effects. Depending on the desired effect, do research into the benefits of each cannabinoid before determining which type of CBD to take.

Beware companies who promise extreme results from using their products or of companies that show extremely high concentrations of CBD.

4. Where’s the hemp plant grown?

Look for U.S. sourced hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill regulated the growth of hemp in the U.S. It is important to note that hemp grown overseas may not be subject to the same high level of quality control and testing. Colleen Lanier, executive director of the Hemp Industry Association, considers Colorado to “have the most robust hemp program.” Colorado requires spot-testing hemp fields to ensure that the THC level is below the legal requirement of .3% and also to ensure there are no illegal use of pesticides.

Be cautious of companies that do not disclose where their hemp is grown.

5. How much CBD is in the bottle?

Believe it or not, some brands do not even disclose how much CBD is in the bottle. Quality brands often have a variety of concentrations to choose from, with the total amount of CBD by milligrams listed on the packaging. Take extra care when considering products that only list the total amount of “cannabinoids” they contain. According to Consumer Reports, companies may take this labeling approach in hopes of attracting less scrutiny from the FDA.

Populum vs. Charlotte’s Web: Which CBD Oil Tincture Is Best For You?

These are both reputable brands, but let's go through each of their strengths to identify which brand is better suited for your needs.

Populum

Populum is a premium hemp CBD brand Mindfully developed for conscious consumers. They use a proprietary formulation of rich full-spectrum extracts to deliver the most effective CBD products on the market. Some product highlights:

• Triple tested for quality & purity
• High concentrations of rare cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, CBC
• Transparent lab reports on website & shipped with product

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web had its claim to fame from being of the first CBD tinctures on the market. The company is named after the original first CBD-dominant plant bred by the Stanely Brothers.

• The original CBD brand
• Third-party lab tested
• Original formula and updated formula available

Here is an in-depth comparison chart between the two brands:

The important part of finding a CBD product is finding the brand that best suits your needs. Charlotte’s Web and Populum both provide high-quality and trustworthy products. Transparent brands will never have anything to hide. There’s a lot to consider when choosing a company, but doing your research will ensure that you’re choosing a reputable company to source your CBD.

For more information, check out Populum CBD Tinctures.