The best way to know if you are purchasing high-quality bulk hemp is to ask a lot of questions. Each supplier should have access to the lab results but direct communication with the lab would be one step ahead. Whether you need a full spectrum distillate or a pure CBD isolate, finding the highest quality will take some investigating.

Where do you source your hemp?

One of the best questions to start with is which farm they source their hemp. Local US businesses prefer buying American grown hemp. Farmers and labs in Colorado are producing very clean full spectrum hemp oils and pure CBD isolate. Businesses across the world are shipping bulk CBD from Colorado where the standard is so high, it may be some of the cleanest CBD that is available today. Since Asia has been involved in hemp cultivation for centuries, China is one of the biggest producers in the world. Even if you can find some real cheap CBD on the internet, having a superior local product would better for the consumer.

Was the hemp grown on an organic farm?

Here is another reason why choosing American hemp is a good option, especially for organic companies. As of August 2016, hemp farms in the US can now be certified organic. The official policy says “​For hemp produced in the United States, only industrial hemp, produced in accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill, as articulated in the Statement of Principles on Industrial Hemp issued on August 12, 2016 by USDA, may be certified as organic, if produced in accordance with USDA organic regulations.”(U​ SDA)​ ​ The fewer pesticides and chemicals, the better the medicine will be for the patient. Suppliers of hemp products should have a list of approved farms that they only purchase from. Testing for microbial activity can only be done during the dry flower stage so it is important to know the original source of the hemp plant. Many businesses use third-party testing to provide the public with transparent results. This can also help brands gain the trust of their loyal consumers. There are now hundreds of certification programs that certify grow operations and farms all over the U.S. Sun Grown hemp is another type of cultivation technique that could add to a higher quality end-product. The CBD market is now getting flooded, so any extra attention to quality should boost sales and results.

Has the product been tested for heavy metals, residual solvents, and mycotoxins?

With pure CBD isolate, residual solvents or plant matter will not be present in the pure white crystalline powder. The Full Spectrum distillate will be full of cannabinoid-rich liquid that also contains terpenes and flavonoids. There should not be residual solvents unless the processing involved a butane type extraction. These solvents are used as a way to extract more flavor, especially with fresh frozen cannabis. Ask the lab for results from the current batch to stay up to date with the quality of your industrial hemp supplier. Mycotoxins can come in the form of mold or fungus. Considering that many people suffer from intense mold allergies, ask your extraction lab company if they check for mycotoxins. Heavy metal contamination is a real concern for people living in the USA. Even Organic farmers are finding arsenic and aluminum in their soil. The metals are coming from every direction, including the water and air. There may only be trace amounts of metal in your products, but sensitive consumers want to see 100% clean concentrates.

Is there third-party testing? Has the distillate been triple lab tested for consistent potency?

As much as you trust a set of lab results, always ask for third-party testing results too. Third-party testing can be more extensive with advances in technology and equipment. The potency is very important when it comes to CBD isolate and hemp distillate. Find out about the original strain used for the CBD and also ask about the original potency. If you are looking into buy full spectrum hemp oil, the CBD content may be very low compared to concentrates. Some CBD hemp strains only contain 5% cannabidiol and some strains may even contain trace amounts of THC. If there is any amount of THC in your full spectrum distillate, this may be illegal where you live. Even just a difference of a few percents, for example, 99% CBD isolate verses 96%, could affect the results. Consistency is key in an industry where people’s lives depend on this natural medicine.

What is the terpene profile?

Along with many other questions, don’t forget to ask about the terpene profile if you plan on purchasing full spectrum extract. If there are high amounts of the terpene called linalool then this batch should induce lots of sleep and relaxation. The lab should be able to create a specific blend that has a combination of terpenes and cannabinoids that create a desired effect. If you are on a budget or need smaller quantity, ask the lab about it or send us your questions at CostalLabs.com.