Is Amazon CBD the real deal? The online giant is a one-stop shopping mecca for millions of people who fill their virtual shopping carts there every single day. But, just because you can order anything imaginable on Amazon doesn’t mean that you should, especially when it comes to your health.
The popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) oil over the years has given rise to many different companies who are now selling CBD products. Five years ago you might have been hard-pressed to find CBD, but now you can buy it pretty much everywhere, including the corner gas station – and of course, on Amazon.
We all know that Amazon is inundated with pop-up vendors that are trying to make a quick buck at your expense. But, there’s a distinct difference between true cannabis-derived CBD oil, and your everyday Amazon “hemp oil.” This article aims expose the real truth behind Amazon hemp oils vs. CBD oil, and if they’re therapeutically beneficial.
As a consumer, it’s important to know how to pick a quality CBD oil for your health and wellness journey. You want something that is not only proven to be safe and effective, but it’s been lab tested by a third party, and most importantly, it actually has the CBD in it. If there’s no CBD it in, then it obviously won’t work for you the way you want it to.
Differences Between CBD Oil, Hemp Oil, and Hemp “Seed” Oil
CBD that’s currently on the market comes from two sources – marijuana, and hemp. Both are varieties of the cannabis plant, but marijuana is still illegal in most areas, whereas industrial hemp is legal in all 50 states.
In order to maintain the status quo per federal guidelines, hemp-derived CBD must contain 0.3% or less of THC, the psychoactive compound that gives cannabis users a buzz. Hemp by its nature is a variety of cannabis that has been bred to remove THC.
On the other hand, marijuana-derived CBD usually contains higher amounts of THC, and these are the type that you can only buy in medical marijuana dispensaries, and only in states where its legal to do so. This can not be purchased online.
CBD oil that is derived from both hemp and marijuana have been shown in clinical studies to have the therapeutic healing benefits that people are after. This can include helping to relieve chronic pain, anxiety, depression, seizures, sleep disorders, and so on.
Beware of “Hemp Oil”
Amazon hemp oils… well, now that’s another thing entirely. A keyword search for “CBD oil” on Amazon will literally return thousands of results. You may see a few products on the first page that say something along the lines of “organic hemp oil extract for pain/anxiety/mood/sleep.”
Don’t be fooled. These are your standard “Amazon hemp oil” supplements. They also come in extracts, lotions and creams, but no matter how you look at it, they all lack one very important ingredient: actual CBD.
As a consumer, it’s important to ignore the marketing hype and instead read every nitty-gritty detail of the fine print. It’s the only way to understand what you’re really buying.
A closer inspection of the hemp oil on Amazon reveals that these are extracted from the hemp seed. That’s fine and dandy if you looking for a new culinary taste sensation for your salad, but CBD comes from the stalks and leaves of the plant.
That’s where some other products might fool you, too! Terms like “full spectrum” or an ingredient list that indicates the product was made from the hemp leaves is just a sales pitch. The ingredients may even say that there’s “5,000mg per bottle,” but again, it doesn’t indicate that any of those milligrams are attributed to CBD.
Key Takeaways
Unlike Amazon hemp oil, real CBD oil lists both the amount of CBD in the bottle, and per dose. Reputable companies will also be transparent in their labeling practices, and won’t try to mislead consumers into believing they are getting something other than they’re not. This is further supported when companies willing post third-party testing results on a batch per batch basis of how much CBD is in the actual bottle you are purchasing.
As far as we can tell, Amazon does currently allow for any real CBD product listings on its site, especially since it can be difficult to determine if the CBD is hemp or marijuana derived. The shopping giant most likely won’t take that chance.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for real CBD oil, you’re going to have to do your online shopping the old fashioned way. When you shop from companies like Bliss Herbal, Charlotte’s Web, Fab CBD etc., you may be missing out on Amazon Prime, but you won’t be missing out on authentic CBD.