What Makes A Good CBD Label?

Nowadays, it's not enough to simply start taking CBD. Knowing the quality and efficacy of the products is paramount. There are two major aspects to this whole process. One, understanding lab results, which we've covered before. Second, is to know how product labeling is regulated when it comes to CBD oil and CBD-infused products. 

Why is that such a big deal?

Hemp-derived CBD products, which contain little to no THC, were federally illegal until the 2018 Farm Bill passed, legalizing industrial hemp production in the U.S., beginning Jan. 1, 2019.

Over the course of the last year, hemp-derived CBD-infused products became insanely popular, even appearing at CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens stores. 

This is where users start to get confused.

Just taking CBD may not be wholly enough to help with the many issues Americans are currently trying to amend. While the FDA slowly and cautiously approaches making new regulations for CBD products, the gap between regulated products and anything goes grows wider, leaving consumers at risk of buying poor-quality products. 

As the FDA is constantly changing and altering the requirements for CBD labels, this guide will give you the gist of what is needed to put a CBD oil on the shelf. 

How Does the FDA Regulate CBD Products? 

The way a CBD product is labeled and marketed plays a critical role in whether the FDA deems it to be lawful. 

Now, companies are following the lead of cosmetic makers, which aren't bound by the same stringent labeling criteria as drugs, food, or dietary supplements. 

The FDA defines cosmetics as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed” on the human body, a description that fits many hemp-derived CBD products.

The agency warns that a lack of specific CBD regulations doesn't grant freedom to make iffy claims. It's still necessary to comply with the rules that govern safety. 

Thus, CBD-infused health and beauty product labels:

• Cannot be false or misleading
• Provide the required information (includes identity statement, statement of the number of contents, name, and place of business, distributor statement, material facts, warning or caution statements, and ingredients) 
• Display label information clearly
• Cannot violate the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970
• Cannot make claims About Treating Diseases and Conditions

The FDA has previously sent warning letters to companies selling CBD products that claimed to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure serious diseases. So, above all, CBD oil and CBD-infused product labels should not make any therapeutic or medical claims. 

Despite the lack of regulatory oversight, some CBD companies voluntarily adhere to strict labeling standards. 

What Consumers Should Ask for on CBD Product Labels

Going forward, those who advocate for CBD usage will ask for more. Still, as the consumer one should look for a reputable CBD producer by finding the following information on their CBD product labels:

• Amount of active CBD per serving 
• Supplement Fact Panel, including other ingredients
• Net weight
• Manufacturer or distributor name
• Suggested use
• Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate
• Batch number or expiration date

Misleading marketing might be the biggest issue within the niche of cannabidiol. 

Don't be enticed by compelling words like “pure,” “organic” or “all-natural,” because these have no scientific meaning for cannabis or hemp and could just be a misleading marketing slogan. 

Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate

The label also should clearly state which type of CBD is included. Three main types are most popular: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD oil.

Full-spectrum CBD oil, also known as the whole plant, mixes CBD with cannabis-derived terpenes, a trace amount of THC, as well as lesser-known cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN).

Consuming full-spectrum CBD oil tends to create what's called the entourage effect, a phenomenon that occurs when cannabinoids and terpenes work together synergistically to produce a greater effect.   

Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains a similar array of cannabinoids and terpenes but without the trace amounts of THC. Additional processes can remove as much THC from the CBD oil as possible, while still maintaining other cannabinoids and terpenes.

Isolates are made by stripping away all other cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in a crystalline powder that is pure CBD. Product labels should denote if the CBD oil is isolate-based or contains other cannabis-based compounds. 

Buyers have to do some research in the cannabidiol world right now. But if you're getting a supply from a reputable place they shouldn't be hiding any info from you. 

We hope that this is solid advice and information in this day and age. As always, make sure to do your research and stay smart when buying cannabidiol!