Why Is Quality Control So Important for CBD Products?

Humans have been using hemp to create paper, baskets and other items for thousands of years but the legal use of hemp and its byproduct, CBD, is relatively new in the United States. It wasn’t until the 2018 Farm Bill that hemp products were legally recognized in the U.S.

Food and drug regulations provided by the FDA are important for public safety, but sadly lacking in the CBD industry. The newness of hemp-derived products in the U.S. market and the continued prohibition of high-THC cannabis at a federal level means the government provides no regulation or guidance over state-level programs that overlook the selling of these products.

Many who buy CBD products from a state-licensed dispensary, believe that because these products are being sold at an established business, they must have met certain standards and qualifications.

Unfortunately, standards for CBD products vary greatly from state to state, with some having more meticulous testing standards than others. Moreover, the presence of pesticides and other contaminants continues to be an issue in many CBD products.

This means that depending on the state you live in and its regulations, a CBD product found in a store could still have harmful materials that simply weren’t tested for. Depending on where you live, you have no assurance of product quality.

CBD products can have amazing benefits for the treatment and reduction of symptoms of certain health issues, but the lack of regulation can also mean a vulnerable person seeking to use a CBD product for medical purposes may be unknowingly exposing themselves to contaminated or toxic materials.

The Top 10 CBD is tackling the issue of quality control by providing accurate analysis and evaluation of several products currently found in the CBD marketplace. If you are unsure of the safety of a CBD product you are purchasing, you can browse our website to learn more.

Harmful Contaminants Found in CBD Products

Pesticides and fungicides continue to be the greatest contamination source in CBD products. Pesticides and fungicides are commonly used to treat many agricultural products, but state regulations on their contamination of CBD products are woefully negligent.

However, they are not the only source of contamination in CBD products. Harmful microbes, including disease-spreading bacteria and parasites, as well as toxic heavy metals can also be found in CBD products, which haven’t been tested for the presence of these contaminants.

Fungicides and Pesticides:

Most crops in the U.S. have Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set guidelines on how much pesticides can be used and how often. Cannabis and hemp currently only have 49 EPA registered pesticides, but more than 350 may be used on hemp.

While hemp is often touted as a naturally pest resistant crop, it is also a soil remediator. Hemp and cannabis have the unique ability to absorb nutrients (and harmful chemicals and metals) from soil into their vascular system.

A test of 26 cannabis samples from a Washington dispensary found more than 84 percent of the cannabis contaminated with pesticides, insecticides, miticides, fungicides and insecticidal synergists.

Lack of testing for pesticides can be critically harmful to those who use CBD products.

Heavy Metals

Several heavy metal varieties have been discovered in cannabis and CBD products. Without proper testing for their presence in CBD products, consumers might find themselves exposed to these harmful contaminants in the products they use.

Cadmium, lead, magnesium, copper and mercury among other heavy metals have been found in cannabis products. Heavy metals can have a variety of negative impacts on one's health. Exposure to heavy metals can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, liver and other organs. It can also lead to anemia, headaches, fatigue and even cancer.

How Can I Know If a CBD Product Is Safe to Use?

CBD is often used for medicinal purposes and it is imperative that it meet certain standards of quality for these purposes.

The Top 10 CBD can be an invaluable resource if you are just learning how to navigate CBD product labels and are looking for a safe and high-quality product. Look over our product reviews to learn more about which CBD products are being properly tested and which might be the most useful in treating your condition.