How to Buy CBD Oil Online

If you’re curious about trying CBD oil, you may wonder how to go about buying it. There are many options available, including buying it locally. For many people, going to a store to buy CBD oil can be overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with all of the terms and jargon associated with CBD.

For this reason, buying CBD oil online is often a better option. When you shop online, you can take your time to comparison shop, look up words that you don’t understand, and even check out lab results on the manufacturer’s website. Doing this can help to ensure that you get a safe, high quality product.

At Green Wellness Life, we deliver lab-tested, high quality CBD products, each of which is derived from industrial hemp grown right here in the United States. While the research on CBD is still in its early stages, initial research suggests that CBD is a great complementary health support for adults, children, and pets. Of course, before adding anything to your diet, it is important to consult with your doctor and get their input on how a particular product may affect you.

Ready to get started? Check out our CBD Products Buyer’s Guide! This post will explain everything that you need to know about CBD and hemp products before you make a purchase. Whether it’s your first time buying CBD or you’re a seasoned pro, we hope that you find this guide useful – and that it helps you buy exactly what you need.

CBD Basics: Facts and Benefits of CBD

CBD is short for cannabidiol. It is one of hundreds of naturally-occurring compounds found in the hemp plant, which are known as cannabinoids. Hemp is a species of the cannabis sativa plant, and although it is related to marijuana, it is a distinct plant.

So what do you need to know about CBD? Here are the basics:

  1. Although CBD has health and wellness benefits, you don’t need a doctor’s prescription or a medical marijuana card to buy CBD Rich Hemp oils. It is generally a good idea to talk to your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet, however – including CBD.
  2. While the research is still emerging, CBD is associated with a number of health benefits, including reducing the symptoms of anxiety, pain and inflammation, depression, seizures, acne, and insomnia.
  3. CBD is not psychoactive, and won’t make you feel high or stoned. Another cannabinoid that is found in marijuana, THC, does have that effect. CBD derived from industrial hemp grown in the U.S. contains just 0.3% THC or less, while marijuana contains as much as 30% THC.
  4. Hemp-derived CBD is legal in the United States and in many countries throughout the world. All CBD products sold on our website are made from industrial hemp that complies with federal law and contains no more than a trace amount (0.3%) of THC. You can also purchase THC-free CBD.

Interested in learning more? We have broken this guide up into concise sections, for your convenience. 

Who can take CBD?

CBD is not a medication. Instead, it is a food supplement made from the hemp plant. It is generally considered safe, with few side effects.

Whenever you add any food supplement or vitamin to your regimen, you should consult with a physician before making a change. This is especially true if you are currently taking any prescription medication, as it may interact with CBD. At Green Wellness Life, we are not doctors and cannot diagnose, treat, or cure any symptoms or conditions.

Adults, kids and pets may choose to take CBD supplements after talking to their healthcare providers. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid taking CBD, as there is not enough research to determine how it will impact the child. Otherwise, any mammal may benefit from CBD, as we all have an endocannabinoid system that may experience a boost from taking a naturally-occurring cannabinoid like CBD.

What Types of CBD Products Are Available?

When shopping for CBD oil, you need to make three main decisions. First, you will need to decide what type of CBD you want: full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate. Second, you will need to decide what form of CBD you want to take. Third, you will need to decide how much CBD you want to take per serving.

Below, we break down the differences between these types and forms of CBD, and explain CBD serving sizes.

Full-Spectrum Vs. Broad Spectrum Vs. Isolate Products

If you have started to shop for CBD, you may have seen terms like “full-spectrum” or “CBD isolate.” These terms describe what type of cannabinoid you can expect in the product, as well as the level of processing that the product has undergone.

Full-spectrum CBD products contain all of the naturally-occurring compounds, including flavonoids and terpenes, found in the hemp plant. Full-spectrum is as close as you can get to the whole plant.

One of the main benefits of choosing full-spectrum CBD is that it may produce something known as the entourage effect. We know that the various compounds found in hemp – like flavonoids and terpenes – have beneficial properties. The entourage effect is a theory, backed by some initial research, that taking all of these compounds together will result in better results, particularly for conditions like pain and inflammation.

A full-spectrum CBD product will contain all the cannabinoids that naturally occur in the hemp plant, including up to .03% THC. This trace amount of THC isn’t enough to make you high, and won’t cause you to fail a drug test. However, if you are concerned about consuming any THC, then you may want to choose a THC-free CBD product instead, like broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate.

Broad-spectrum CBD is exactly the same as full-spectrum CBD, with one important difference: all of the THC has been removed. This means that you may still get the benefits of the entourage effect and all of the other compounds found in hemp – without any risk of feeling stoned or failing a drug test.

Finally, CBD isolates contain only pure CBD extract. There are no other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids in an isolate CBD product. While you won’t get the entourage effect with a CBD isolate, you can typically get a much higher serving size of CBD. Isolates are tasteless and odorless, so they are often added to topical CBD products as well as CBD edibles.

The choice between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD isolate is largely one of personal preference. While there are a number of benefits associated with taking a full-spectrum CBD, if you are drug tested at work and want to avoid even a chance of getting a false positive result, you may choose a 0% THC broad-spectrum or isolate. Full and broad-spectrum CBD oils also tend to have a stronger taste and smell, which can turn off some people. With these considerations in mind, you can make a decision that is right for you.

What Form of CBD Should I Take?

CBD comes in a number of forms, including CBD oil extracts, tinctures, capsules, inhalers, edibles and topicals. Depending on why you are taking CBD, one product may be better for you than another. For example, if you have pain and swelling in your ankle, you might choose to rub a CBD balm on that ankle rather than take a tincture orally.

CBD Type Selection Chart

Type of CBD product Why you might consider this type
Raw oil extracts
  • You have allergies to additives
  • You’re interested in making your own CBD products
  • You want a quick onset
Tinctures
  • You want more control over serving size
  • You want a quick onset
Capsules
  • You want to avoid earthy flavors/smells (capsules are flavorless & odorless)
  • You already take daily capsules (easy to work into your routine)
Edibles
  • You like to snack
  • You have a sweet tooth
Inhalers
  • You want a vape alternative
  • You want a quick onset
Topicals
  • You want targeted relief
  • You want a product that will improve your skin

CBD Rich Hemp Raw Oil Extracts

Raw CBD oil is extracted directly from the hemp plant. This oil is also used to make other cannabinoid products, but is processed in some way beforehand. If you want the pure, unfiltered form of CBD, pure CBD oil is the way to go. CBD oils also tend to be a great value, since you are paying for the CBD itself, and not other ingredients or processing.

CBD oil can be extracted from the hemp plant in a number of ways. We recommend products that are CO2 extracted, as other methods can leave chemical residues. These oils are primarily sold in oral syringes that allow the customer to dispense a very small amount of product at a time.

CBD oil is placed under your tongue, which allows for fast absorption into your system. This can make it a good choice for anyone seeking quick relief of their symptoms.

There are three main types of oil:

CBD Tinctures

CBD tinctures are a more palatable or tastier way to consume CBD oil. They are made by adding emulsifiers, a carrier oil and flavorings to the CBD oil. In some products, a sweetener is added to the mix. The resulting tincture is packaged with a dropper or spray top to make it easy to use.

CBD tinctures are a great starter product for new users. They are also a good option for anyone who doesn’t enjoy the earthier or grassier flavor of raw CBD oil. Some flavors, like spearmint and orange, will mask the hemp flavor, while others, like vanilla, will complement it.

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CBD Capsules

CBD capsules offer the same benefits as raw CBD oil or CBD tinctures, but are much easier for many people to take. With a CBD capsule, you are getting a measured serving size of CBD. Because the oil is encapsulated or contained in a softgel, you also won’t have to deal with a taste that you may find unpleasant.

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CBD Edibles

CBD edibles are exactly what they sound like: a food product that contains CBD. To make an edible, a manufacturer starts with a raw or decarb CBD oil, and then adds it to foods like chocolate, hard candy, gummies, or even teas and coffee. This is a good way to “sneak” cannabinoids into your diet in a fun way. CBD edibles can be delicious (the Koi gummies are so good!), but because they are more processed than other forms of CBD and contain lower amounts of CBD per serving size, they are not particularly cost-effective.

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CBD / Hemp Topicals

Cannabinoids like CBD have been shown to help with a range of skin conditions, from acne to itchy bug bites. Although CBD oil can be used directly on the skin, it is generally more effective to use a specifically formulated topical that uses carrier compounds and ingredients that will allow the cannabinoids to soak into the skin more quickly. These topical balms, creams, and lotions often have a great scent or smoother texture, and are great for targeted pain or itch relief.

Browse All CBD Topicals

CBD for Pets

Hemp oil treatments aren’t only beneficial to humans. Any mammal may benefit from taking CBD, as our bodies all have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Taking plant-based cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids, may help our bodies – and those of our pets – in balance and alleviate certain symptoms. Many families have successfully used these tailored products for treating pain, stress, anxiety, and other symptoms in their pets.

Browse All CBD Products For Pets

What Serving Size Is Right for Me?

When shopping for CBD, you may notice that the bottle or package lists a total amount of CBD in the package. For some products, like CBD capsules or edibles, it may also list a specific amount of CBD per serving size. Otherwise, you can do some quick math to divide the total amount of CBD in the package by the unit of measure.

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all serving size for CBD products, as each person is unique and may be affected in different ways by CBD. The best way to figure out a serving size that is right for you is to consult with your doctor.

Otherwise, you should start with a small amount (such as 10 to 15 milligrams, or mg, per day) and see how it makes you feel. Over time, you can gradually increase the amount of CBD that you take daily by 5 to 10 mg. When you find a serving size that seems to work well for you, continue taking that amount.

What about THC?

As noted above, some types of CBD may contain trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. That is because hemp and marijuana are both part of the cannabis sativa family of plants. Under federal law, hemp may contain as much as 0.3% THC.

If you want to avoid THC entirely, you should choose a broad-spectrum or CBD isolate product. They may also be labeled THC-free or 0% THC. Keep in mind that the miniscule amount of THC found in hemp won’t make you feel high – and it is perfectly legal.

However, if a product contains more than 0.3% THC, it is considered marijuana, and is illegal under federal law. It may also be illegal in states that have not legalized the use of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. Currently, a number of states make it illegal to use or buy marijuana.

Keep in mind that in many U.S. states, marijuana has only been legalized for medical use. If you live in any of the states where marijuana is completely illegal or only legal for medicinal use, it’s important to make sure the THC content of the products you’re purchasing are below .3%. Even if marijuana is legal in your state, it’s generally beneficial to purchase products with low levels of THC so that you get all of the benefits of CBD without having an altered mental state.

Is CBD Oil The Same As Hemp Seed Oil?

As you shop for CBD products, it’s also important to understand that CBD oil is not the same as hemp seed oil (which is sometimes labeled hemp oil). CBD oil is extracted from the leaves, stems, bud, and flower of the plant. Hemp seed oil is extracted by cold pressing hemp seeds.

There are a lot of health benefits associated with hemp seed oil and products made from hemp seeds. Hemp seed oil is rich in omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and protein, so it is incredibly nourishing and works well as a topical. However, hemp seed oil contains little to no CBD. This means that you won’t get the benefits associated specifically with CBD if you purchase hemp seed oil.

On some websites, sellers will label CBD products as hemp seed oil or hemp extract oil to get around rules that prohibit the sale of CBD. This type of dishonest labeling doesn’t allow you to be exactly sure of what you’re getting – and should be avoided whenever possible.

How to Shop for Safe, High Quality CBD Online

These days, you can buy CBD almost anywhere – but that doesn’t mean that you should. Not every brick-and-mortar shop that sells CBD products knows what they’re doing. And far too many online marketplaces are simply untrustworthy.

Here is the secret that many of these stores won’t tell you: CBD isn’t regulated by the FDA. As a result, there isn’t a good way to quickly or easily figure out exactly what you’re buying. The only way to make sure that you are getting what you pay for (and nothing else) is to view testing results from an independent laboratory.

Below, we’ll break down the various places you can buy CBD – and whether it’s a good idea to purchase CBD from those physical or online locations.

Large Consumer Marketplaces

Let’s face it: it is way too easy to buy something from large online consumer marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and Etsy. These sites have just about everything that you could need or want, although (as many of us have learned firsthand), they don’t always have the highest quality items. It isn’t surprising, then, that these websites aren’t the best place to purchase CBD products.

In fact, sellers are prohibited from selling CBD on both Amazon and ebay. Despite this restriction, many sellers have found a workaround: labeling products as hemp oil or hemp extract instead of using the word CBD. This can make it incredibly hard to know what your getting, and whether it is a quality product.

Hemp products on Amazon and Ebay are marked up at a premium, so you’ll actually receive better value products shopping elsewhere and you’ll have an easier time validating that you’re receiving a safe product.

CBD Sites That Make Big Promises

There are any number of online sites selling CBD. Many of them make outlandish promises about what CBD can do for you, or how it can cure certain conditions. You should avoid these companies at all costs.

The reality is that while the preliminary research on CBD is incredibly positive, we still have a lot to learn about cannabidiol. If a company is promoting CBD as a cure-all, it’s a good sign that you should exit out of it immediately and find a site that focuses on the science. At Green Wellness Life, we are excited about all of the promise that CBD holds – but we also know that the science is still emerging in this field. Our goal is to give you the research and information so that you can make an informed decision in conjunction with your doctor about whether CBD is right for you.

So How Can I Tell If a Store Is Trustworthy?

After reading the above, you may think that buying CBD is more trouble than it’s worth, with potential minefields everywhere. It doesn’t have to be that hard. There is a relatively easy way to buy safe, high-quality CBD online without worrying that you are being scammed or sold a bill of goods.

Want to know if a store or website can be trusted? Below are some factors to consider.

Does the store or site publicly post lab test results for their products, or provide them on request?

As noted above, CBD products aren’t regulated by the FDA. This means that it can be hard to know exactly what you’re getting when you purchase a CBD product. The only way to know for sure is to review lab results.

Cannabis plants readily absorb heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals. During the extraction process, traces of harmful chemicals may also be left behind. Lab results allow you to see for yourself if the product you’re buying contains anything that you don’t want.

Results from an independent lab will also tell you exactly how much CBD and THC are contained in a particular product. It’s easy enough for companies to make big promises about what is in their CBD – but they can’t fake third party laboratory testing. If a store or website doesn’t offer or make these results available, avoid buying CBD from them.

How is the CBD in the products sourced?

CBD is legal in the United States – provided that it contains 0.3% THC or less. The best way to make sure that you are consuming legal CBD that has just a trace amount of CBD is to only purchase products that are made from industrial hemp grown in the United States. It’s also a good way to avoid potential contaminants that may be in the soil where hemp is grown in countries with less stringent environmental standards.

Does the site or store make big promises that it can’t keep?

CBD seems pretty miraculous to us at Green Wellness Life, but we are aware that the science on CBD is still emerging. Our team is happy to offer you information about our own experiences with CBD and links to the latest research – but we will never make wild claims about CBD being a cure-all.

If a site or a store does make these types of claims, you should avoid them. Yes, CBD has a lot of potential benefits – but if a company is claiming more than what the research has proved, it’s a major red flag.

What types of reviews does the store or site have?

In addition to looking for test results, make sure to read reviews for both the company and the product. Reviews provide complete transparency from real customers who have purchased in the past. If a company is taking the time to respond to complaints or questions on their reviews, it’s a good sign you’ll receive the same level of service and attention in your time of need.

Does the site or store offer resources for you to learn more?

CBD is relatively new in the U.S. marketplace. Companies that specialize in CBD tend to have a lot more knowledge about CBD than the average American – and should be willing to share that insight. After all, a reputable store or site would want you to make an informed decision about whether CBD is right for you, rather than enticing you to buy something that might not be the best choice for your particular situation.

Check to see if the company has a blog or resource section. If a company is willing to provide in-depth information on CBD and CBD products online, they are committed to keeping their consumers informed and making education a priority. Does the shop regularly post and update information? Do they provide relevant and authoritative sources for the information that they cite? If the answer is yes to both of these questions, and they also have reviews and lab results check out, then you’ve likely stumbled upon a trustworthy company.

Finding a Great CBD Brand

When shopping online for CBD on a trustworthy site, there are a few things that you should pay attention to when it comes to the brands that you buy. Specifically, pay close attention to how the hemp is sourced and cultivated and the method of extraction used.

Sourcing & Cultivation Details

A key factor in deciding what CBD product to buy is learning where the hemp used to make it was grown. Research the brand you’re considering buying from and see if you can find where their hemp is sourced from. Many reputable product manufacturers will include this information on their website.

If the CBD oil is made from homegrown, American hemp, then it’s coming from a regulated source. This means that your product will contain substantial levels of CBD and safe levels of THC.

Extraction Process

On top of sourcing, you’ll also want to evaluate extraction methods. There are several different ways to extract CBD from cannabis. Extraction via the CO2 method is by far the safest way to extract CBD, because CBD and other ingredients are extracted using high-pressure carbon dioxide gas rather than chemical solvents. Extraction via CO2 removes possible solvents and harmful contaminants from the oil. The end result is a product that is pure and potent.

Extraction methods aren’t as readily available online, but if you contact the company you’re interested in buying from, they may be able to provide you with these details. The extraction method is sometimes also listed on the product label.

Products To Avoid At All Costs

First and foremost, unlike prescription drugs, CBD products cannot make health claims. Even claims for minor conditions like relief for migraines would be illegal. The more dramatic a health claim is, the more skeptical you should be. Products that claim to cure things like cancer or heart disease should definitely be approached with skepticism, as there currently isn’t enough medical research or testing to back those claims.

The FDA has cracked down on dozens of companies making sweeping health claims, but dozens more may still exist. As previously mentioned, if lab test results aren’t available, you should not purchase the product. You do not want to risk consuming heavy metals, pesticides, or other harmful chemicals.

It’s also recommended that you avoid purchasing CBD products at general stores like gas stations, beauty salons, and grocery stores. These stores are not experts in CBD and may not necessarily be selling trustworthy products. It’s highly encouraged that you purchase CBD products from a store that exclusively focuses on selling CBD products. These stores have dedicated their time and effort to research their brands and carefully select which products they sell. They know their products inside and out and they’ll be able to appropriately answer any questions you may have.

Legitimate & Trusted CBD Brands

There are SO many CBD brands out there! We carry only those that we have tried ourselves, and had tested at a third party lab. We want to make sure that all the good things (like an accurate amount of cannabinoids) are in there! And that all the not so good things (like psychotropic compounds, heavy metals, and pesticides) are not there. We also choose to work with those companies that service their customers just as we do. Here are some of our favorite (and best selling!) brands:

Buy High Quality CBD From a Trusted Source

The process of buying CBD is often harder than it should be, particularly when it comes to sifting through all of the CBD scams that seem to exist. At Green Wellness Life, we only sell CBD that has been independently tested, with the results available online, and that is made from hemp grown right here in the United States.

We’ll never make outlandish claims about what CBD can do. Instead, we’ll just offer you the facts and latest research on CBD so that you can make a decision that is right for you.

We strongly believe in customer satisfaction. Our goal is to educate you to make the best decisions possible when it comes to CBD supplements, and to feel fully comfortable with your choices. We stand behind our products 100%. If you make a purchase and you aren’t loving it – reach out so we can help!

If you’re ready to learn more, we are here to help. Give us a call at (866) 244-4223 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST), or shoot us an email at any time. You can also click the live chat button to speak to someone right away!

Additional CBD Resources

Learn more about the Green Wellness way with the resources below! And cheers to good health.