Whether you do your shopping for CBD in a dispensary or in an online marketplace, it helps to know as much about what you are buying as possible. And since CBD is still relatively new to the market, many among the cannabis curious are unsure about what exactly it offers.

As with many things in cannabis, CBD comes in many different forms and levels of potency. But it’s worth learning about, as studies have associated CBD products with many positive health benefits, including reduced pain, inflammation and anxiety.

CBD Shopping Tips

To offer some guidance when shopping for CBD, the following looks at some of the basics about the forms CBD comes in and the information you will find on the label.

The Many Forms of CBD Products

CBD comes in oils, lotions, tinctures, edibles, sprays and capsules, to name a few of the more popular choices. This doesn’t impact potency. You may simply have to use more to reach the amount you want. The different ways of using CBD give you more options in finding the product that works best for you.

Where CBD Comes From Is Important

CBD products can come from cannabis plants and include THC, the chemical component that gives you the high. However, hemp-derived CBD comes from industrial hemp plants and by federal law can only contain less than 0.3% THC, if any at all. Knowing the difference is important if you want to minimize your intake of THC. The label typically contains information on the source of the CBD.

The Types of CBD

In addition to coming in many forms, CBD also comes in different types. This also is often marked on the label. They three most common versions are:

• Full spectrum CBD, which includes trace levels of other cannabinoids, terpenes and THC
• Broad spectrum CBD, which includes no THC, but trace levels of other cannabinoids and terpenes
• CBD isolate, which includes CBD but no other cannabinoids and terpenes

The Serving Size of CBD

Like food, CBD products will tell you how much CBD is contained in a serving. Most will say how many milligrams (one thousandth of a gram) there is in each serving, such as one gummy, one capsule or a drop of tincture. The right dose for you depends on your weight and the type of CBD product you use, among other factors. This is an area where you want to consult with the budtender.

Other things to look for on labels including the following.

• Third party testing. Many cannabis and CBD companies have their products tested by a third-party lab, giving consumers further confidence in their products.
• Ingredients. If you’re careful about what you put into your body, you’ll want to know what ingredients other than CBD are going into your product.
• Warnings. As with any product, you want to play close attention to any warnings about interactions with certain medications or for those with certain conditions.

The more research they do on CBD, the more scientists learn about its possibilities in medicine and wellness care. As you explore your potential purchases, take the time to learn more about your options and find the product that works best for you.