It’s important to make sure that you’re sourcing your CBD products from a reputable source. As consumer demand for CBD continues to grow in the UK, you now have more options than ever before.
However, just because a company claims to sell high-purity CBD oil doesn’t make them legitimate. This is especially true if you choose to buy CBD oil online.
There are strict guidelines that regulate the use of CBD in sports, including those set forth by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). For your health and safety, these mandate the level of THC that can be present in CBD products.
These rules are enforced to ensure the wellbeing of pro athletes, but not all UK CBD companies are interested in following them. As such, they may offer CBD products with THC levels that are not low enough to meet WADA standards.
Not only could you lose money on unsuitable CBD oil, but it could also pose a threat to your health and wellbeing. Today, we’re sharing an in-depth guide on how to stay smart as you browse the Web for the best CBD products around.
Research the Company Thoroughly
These days, it might seem as though every aspect of our lives is at least partially online. From the groceries we order to the plans we make, we can do it all with just a few clicks.
While this has undoubtedly afforded us many conveniences, it has also opened the door for some untrustworthy “companies” to enter the conversation. Often companies come across as authentic, with sleek websites, dynamic graphics and even customer service bots offering to help your browse their wares. It does not mean that the CBD oil they are selling is suitable for you, especially if you are a pro athlete.
This is why it’s important not to be swayed by a company’s online presence alone. While a web search might bring you to their home page, don’t stop there. Do your own research to understand the company’s origins and mission, as well as its practices, processes. If this information isn’t readily available on their website, then perform a separate search to see what others are saying about the business.
At IMPACT SPORTS, we don’t have anything to hide. You can easily read all about our team on our website, and we’re proud to share the details behind our vision. Our company combines well-researched cannabis knowledge and consumer product development from parent company CiiTECH, with a passion for fitness and nutrition.
Read Online Reviews
You wouldn’t add a new supplement to your workout regimen before reading about it first, right? The same goes for the homework you’d do before investing in a new appliance or allowing a team of builders to work on your home.
It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in CBD oil, topicals, edibles, or all three. It’s still critical to read online customer reviews, feedback, and testimonials from others who have taken this step before you. They’ll be able to offer an unfiltered and unbiased glance into what your own experience might be like down the road.
Research shows that 84% of people now trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family members. In many cases, you can find these insights directly on the company’s website. Other times, it’s accessible via a quick web search.
As you scroll through the reviews, keep in mind that everyone’s CBD experience is unique and singular. Still, you should be able to gauge common themes, such as the company’s level of professionalism, customer service, and product quality.
Beware of CBD Product Claims
Before you purchase any product from an online CBD oil store, take the time to look around their site. Pay close attention to the product descriptions. Does the team make any promises that CBD will provide certain benefits to your health, sports performance, or general fitness?
If so, then consider this a red flag and continue your search elsewhere. This is especially important in the UK, where CBD can only be marketed as a food supplement. This means that neither the CBD product nor the company selling it, can make any type of health reference, including:
- Medical claims
- Suggested use
- Health recommendation
Companies that knowingly don’t follow this rule aren’t credible or reliable. While we stand fully behind the quality of our CBD products, you won’t find any such claims at IMPACT SPORTS. We’ve clearly explained that our products are not meant to be used as medicine, nor should they replace any medications you’re currently taking.
At the same time, our products are also not designed to assist in any way with any disease or illness you may be experiencing. This means you should not use them to:
- Diagnose an illness
- Treat an illness
- Prevent an illness
- Cure an illness
Your physician is always your go-to reference for all health-related questions and concerns. If you come across a CBD company that essentially seeks to take the place of your healthcare provider, then keep looking.
Keep Your Budget in Mind
Once you’ve found a reputable CBD oil company, your next step is to make sure that you’re only adding products to your cart that align with your budget.
This can be a little challenging at first, especially considering the many different types of CBD oil available on the market! Between the oils, tinctures, sprays, lotions, balms, and edibles, you might be a little overwhelmed.
If you’re new to this space, try starting with a product that’s both easy to use and easy to dose, such as our CBD Oil Spray. This bottle includes 60 complete sprays and a guaranteed 20mg of CBD in each spray.
As you learn more about the different products and find a dosage that works for you, then you can adjust your budget accordingly. This way, you can make sure that you can comfortably afford the products that you use on a regular basis.
Ensure Stringent Testing
Any CBD oil product you buy online should be thoroughly lab-tested by an independent third party. This process not only verifies the CBD content in each item but also ensures that it’s premium quality and safe to use.
At IMPACT SPORTS, we follow a stringent testing process for every product we provide in our online shop.
Moreover, all of our CBD products are also 100% traceable, from seed to shelf. We offer full visibility into every touchpoint across our supply chain, and we’re happy to share more information as requested. Our commitment to quality also extends to our manufacturing processes, as each product is manufactured to high GMP standards.
GMP stands for good manufacturing practices. The GMP rating is based on an intricate process that includes a compliance report, in-person inspection, site visits, and more.
If you’re unsure whether the company you’re eyeing has a similar testing history to share, then ask! The team should be willing to openly discuss the results of their lab tests. An unwillingness to cooperate may signify that the test results weren’t up to par, or that the tests didn’t occur at all.
Distinguish Between CBD and Hemp Oil
This might sound like a no-brainer, but the reality is that some companies will market their products as hemp seed oil, and think that buyers will believe it’s the same thing as CBD oil.
In the UK, CBD oil must be derived from the industrial hemp plant or Cannabis Sativa L. This is a specific type of cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% of Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Hemp oil comes from this plant too, but the difference lies in the part of the plant that manufacturers use.
Official EU hemp strains need to contain less than 0.2% THC, making them even more reliable when it comes to assessing the level of controlled cannabinoids in the plant and shelf-ready product.
To produce CBD oil under UK regulations, they’ll access the stalks and stems of the plant. These elements contain high concentrations of CBD. Unfortunately, in the UK, producing CBD oil from the flowers and leaves is illegal, despite their high levels of CBD.
To produce hemp oil, they’ll access the seeds. These contain nutrients, unsaturated fats, fatty acids, and bioactive compounds, but only tiny traces of cannabinoids, including CBD. You can consume shelled hemp seeds as a food supplement, or you can also find seeds that have been cold-pressed into an oil.
Third-Party Laboratory Testing
While you may be able to derive some benefits from hemp seed oil, they will not be the same ones that you can find in CBD oil.
This underscores the importance of third-party laboratory testing. The results from these tests can help you understand how much CBD is in each product, or if it contains any CBD at all. If you lab-test hemp “seed” oil you will not find any detectable traces of CBD, and certainly not anywhere close to the mg amount stated on the packaging.
Some companies assume that buyers won’t know the difference between the two oils, so read the label carefully and ask for clarification if necessary.
Check Legal Compliance
According to EU and UK laws, the maximum amount of controlled cannabinoids, including THC, that a CBD oil product can contain is 1mg. THC is considered one of the most well-known controlled cannabinoids due to its high level of psychoactive properties. If you are competing in sports tournaments and are subject to random blood testing, it is important to pay close attention to this amount to ensure you are not consuming over the legal limit.
Standing for the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the GDPR regulates the control that EU individuals have over how their data is accessed and used. This is an essential law that protects user privacy and security.
The CBD oil company should be completely transparent about how they will collect, store, and maintain any data gleaned from you and your device when you visit their website. You can read all about our GDPR compliance policy online.
In addition, IMPACT SPORTS is also committed to complying with standards set forth by the Cannabis Trades Association, or CTA. As an Associate Member of the CTA, we stay up-to-date on all of the legal aspects of the cannabis industry. We also work closely with other members to develop best practices that can ensure safety, quality, and purity across the sector.
Check to see if the company you’re eyeing has information on its GDPR policy online. You should feel confident that your data is safe at every turn. Also ask if the team is a member of any industry association, such as the CTA. This is another strong sign that they’re dedicated to furthering the research and development that can propel this industry forward.
Check the THC Content
According to EU and UK laws, the maximum amount of THC that a CBD oil product can contain is 0.02%. THC contains a higher level of psychoactive properties than the CBD cannabinoid, so it’s important to pay close attention to this amount.
When you browse the web, however, you don’t just have access to UK-based manufacturers.
In your search, you may come across CBD products that originate in countries where CBD laws are more relaxed. Rather than being derived from industrial hemp, these products might come from marijuana extracts, which can amplify their total THC content. Both hemp and marijuana are varieties of the cannabis plant, but they have different biological structures.
You want to make sure that the CBD oil you purchase is legal for use within the UK. If you’re found using a high-THC product, then you could face legal repercussions, so read the label before you buy. Laboratory tests can also help clear up any confusion.
Buy CBD Oil Online the Smart Way
If you’re in the market for CBD oil, then you deserve to purchase the very best. E-commerce has helped expand this industry, allowing companies to expand their reach and interact with more buyers.
While it’s convenient to buy CBD oil online, you must remain smart and diligent. By following the steps above, you can rest assured that the products you buy will be safe and high-quality. When you’re ready to get started, feel free to browse our full CBD oil collection online!