How to find a reputable CBD store in New Orleans, and what red flags to look out for.
As CBD (cannabidiol) continues to grow in popularity and make headlines thanks to its health and wellness benefits, more and more people are becoming interested in learning about CBD and finding a suitable source to try it out for themselves. However, not all places that sell CBD — online and brick-and-mortar — are created equal. Depending on where you live or where a particular shop is located, the applicable state laws regulating CBD might differ.
Navigating the world of CBD products in its many forms and dosage options can be confusing to a novice. That’s why it’s important to find a source that not only will sell you CBD products, but can expertly discuss your options, different brands, what products will work for you, and what dosage suits best your particular needs. Here’s what to look for when you choose a CBD store, and what red flags to look out for.
Selling Products With THC
In most states, THC is completely illegal except for a federal limit of .3% THC that’s allowed in CBD products. However, Louisiana and a few other states have their own limits. Louisiana does not allow any trace of THC in CBD products. So, in order to be legal in Louisiana, all products at Simply CBD contain 0.0% THC by state law. This year alone, the authorities in New Orleans have suspended and/or fined at least six businesses for selling CBD products containing THC above the state limit.
Just like in the rest of the country, hemp-only CBD products are available to anyone over 18 without prescription in Louisiana (and Simply CBD carries only hemp-derived CBD products). A reputable CBD store in New Orleans won’t carry CBD products containing THC and will explain the difference between hemp-derived and marijuana-derived CBD.
Making Unproven or Grandiose Medical Claims
Despite an abundance of promising research and increasing acceptance from the scientific and medical communities, CBD has not been proved to cure any life-threatening conditions. False claims have become so rampant recently that the FDA issued a statement last year against “the proliferation of products claiming to treat or cure serious diseases like cancer.” Any CBD retailer that claims CBD is a cure for any illness or disease is at best uninformed about the science or, at worst, intentionally misleading customers with false medical claims.
Don’t get us wrong: CBD offers a huge range of health and wellness benefits. But it isn’t a scientifically proven “cure” for any serious illness or disease (yet).
Lack of Ingredient Transparency
Just as you’d read food labels to know what goes into your body, or your pet’s, you’d naturally want to know what’s in the CBD product you’re buying. It can be overwhelming to a new customer, and a good CBD shop will explain what’s on the product’s label.
All CBD products at Simply CBD are guaranteed to be 100% free of THC, and we’re committed to ingredient transparency. For example, our hemp-derived CBD oils and tinctures combine CBD with carrier oils such as vegetable glycerin or ethanol. Our CBD vape pens and e-liquids are free of solvents, pesticides, or other harsh chemicals.
Independent Product Testing
Some studies into CBD have uncovered dosage inconsistencies and even contaminants such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mold, in CBD products. Obviously, it’s crucial to know what ingredients are actually in your CBD products, but at Simply CBD, we don’t just trust what’s on the label. All brands we carry must submit testing results verifying their products contain the ingredients and CBD content they claim, as well as guarantee that there is absolutely no trace of THC content in the products.
And then to verify the testing results we’ve been provided, we send additional samples from each brand to an independent testing lab to confirm the results.
Understanding Dosing and Applications
A higher dose of CBD does not necessarily equal higher efficacy, meaning that more is not always better. Depending on your reason for trying CBD products, smaller doses could sometimes be more effective. Doses can vary from 1 mg of CBD to hundreds depending on the brand and method of intake, but it’s usually best to start with a low concentration and work your way up.
We can help you find a dose that works best for you. Our CBD oils and tinctures, for instance, provide an easy way to add a precise amount of CBD to any drink, food, or body product of your choice. Oral consumption provides a simple way to manage dosage and monitor your reaction, so you might want to consider our variety of CBD edibles including chocolate-covered pretzels, CBD gummies in different flavors, and an oral spray.
Broad Selection From Multiple Brands
Hemp-based CBD products come in many forms and flavors, at different price points. It’s about variety, but also trusting that your shop has done the research and evaluation to find the best brands. If you carry only one brand, your job is not to find the best products — it’s to sell the one brand you have regardless of what might be better. And, as a customer, if you don’t have the opportunity to compare, chances are you won’t find the best product for your specific needs.
We hope this sets you on a path toward finding the best CBD store to suit your needs, and if you have any questions (or simply feel curious), please contact us or stop by any of our CBD dispensaries across New Orleans. We can offer feedback on everything from which CBD product is right for you to how we ensure the products we carry are pure, legal, and contain only the ingredients listed on their labels.
