Entering the world of hemp-derived CBD products can be overwhelming, especially for those who want to explore the benefits of CBD but worry about the trace amount of THC that’s legally allowed in hemp. Luckily, not all CBD oils are made the same; it’s possible to find THC-free CBD oils made with either broad-spectrum hemp or CBD isolate. These options allow you to still reap the perks of a cannabidiol without worrying about even minimal amounts of THC. (Reminder: U.S. hemp must have less than 0.3% THC by dry weight per the law.) Of course, there’s still a difference between broad-spectrum and CBD isolate. As medical cannabis expert and double board-certified doctor Dave Gordon, M.D., previously told mindbodygreen, “Broad-spectrum means the product contains CBD and other cannabis constituents, like terpenes and cannabinoids, but does not contain any THC.” This THC is typically removed during the extraction and filtration processes, and the formulas are often third-party tested to verify the absence of THC. However other potential cannabinoids, like CBC and CBG, may remain if the brand is creating a product with broad-spectrum hemp. As the name suggests, CBD isolate only includes cannabidiol. While this ensures you’re not ingesting any other components of the hemp plant, it also won’t allow you to benefit from the “entourage effect,” or when all the components of the plant work synergistically to have a more powerful effect. What we also love? Joy Organics is a family-founded business inspired by the founder Joy Smith’s positive experience with CBD. It also became one of the first CBD companies to offer USDA certified organic CBD tinctures, which can be taken sublingually or added to your routine in morning beverages. The brand even recommends it as a CBD massage oil, though olive oil is moderately comedogenic. If you prefer a flavored tincture, the brand’s 0.0% THC broad-spectrum formula is also available in Tranquil Mint, Orange Bliss, and Summer Lemon. Sustainability & Packaging: Joy Organics is an environmentally conscious brand that uses USDA organic hemp grown using regenerative farming practices. The brand’s shipping is also carbon neutral and done using recyclable materials. Transparency: You can find Joy Organics certificate of quality assurance and third-party lab results on the Lab Results page of the Joy Organics website. Also featured in: Best CBD Oils, Strongest CBD Oils Sustainability & Packaging: Beam CBD products are responsibly sourced from farms located in Colorado, Oregon, California, and Montana. Transparency: Beam CBD products are third-party tested. You can search the results of your lot number here. Also featured in: Best CBD Oils While the bottle may come with a higher upfront cost, the final price per mg of CBD is pretty close to our most affordable option on the list. Of course, you don’t have to buy bulk up front with options for a gentle or moderate formula. Medterra Isolate Hemp Oil features non-GMO hemp organically grown in the United States. The brand uses rigorous testing standards and works with an in-house medical advisory board to ensure the quality of its products. Sustainability & Packaging: Medterra’s hemp is organically grown in the United States and the brand is U.S. Hemp Authority Certified which means they have been assessed to use high standards and the best practices for their products. Transparency: Third-party test results can be found by scanning the QR code on the product’s label or by visiting the COA page on Medterra’s website. In 2021, the brand conducted a proprietary study and found that participants who used this product self-reported that it helped them feel at ease..† “CBD isolate oils are a phenomenal product offering for somebody just starting to explore hemp based products, or those that may be adverse to consuming even small levels of THC and other minor cannabinoids. We think of these as our entry level products so customers can familiarize themselves with the benefits of CBD alone prior to exploring more elaborate extract types,” Andy Papilion, chief product officer and expert botanist at CBDistillery tells mindbodygreen. Sustainability & Packaging: CBDistillery is U.S. Hemp Authority certified and dedicated to natural farming practices, although it’s not organic. Transparency: Third party test results can be found by scanning the QR code on the product’s label, visiting the documents search page and entering the product’s batch ID, or by clicking on “View Full Lab Results” on the product page. The brand uses a proprietary extraction process to retrieve the broad-spectrum hemp, which retains other cannabinoids like CBC and CBD. The only caveat? This formula may have up to 0.01% THC per the brand’s definition. Each serving packs 25 mg of CBD, a strength level selected by the brand to be the sweet spot for CBD consumption. (For example, research demonstrates that CBD in the range of 25 to 75 mg per day can promote mental relaxation.) If you’re uncertain about the chocolate mint flavor—which is naturally sweetened with monk fruit— there are options to get this THC-free oil in a smaller 10mL bottle for just $25. Sustainability & Packaging: Charlotte’s Web is a certified B Corporation, taking steps towards transparency and accountability, along with being environmentally and ethically conscious. All Charlotte’s Web hemp is grown on certified organic U.S. family farms and the brand was one of the first CBD companies recognized by the U.S. Hemp Authority™. Transparency: You can view Charlotte’s Web certificates of analysis on the Charlotte’s Web website batch reports page. Pure Isolate Tincture is available in two unique flavors: Skittles and Cinnamon. (You can also opt for an unflavored option, if you prefer to keep it simple.) The fun flavors make this a less conventional (but still relatively affordable) option for those seeking a product with organic hemp. Sustainability & Packaging: Kanibi’s hemp is sourced from U.S. organic farms that use sustainable farming practices. Transparency: Kanibi shares a commitment to freshness, science-backed methodologies, and transparency on its website. You can find COAs on the certificate of analysis page. One way to save costs? The brand grows its own hemp and uses an ethanol-based process to get a CBD-rich extract, which is then refined into a CBD isolate. Use the dropper to measure out your optimal dose; the brand recommends starting with a 50 mg serving (1.0 mL or the full dropper) and waiting two hours to see how it affects you before increasing your dosage. Sustainability & Packaging: Lazarus Naturals grows organic hemp on its own farm in an environmentally conscious manner, prioritizing sustainability and purpose over profits. Orders are packed with materials made from post-consumer waste, and the brand is taking steps to be carbon neutral by 2030. A certified B-Corp Corp, it also offers a 90-day guarantee with free shipping for returns. Transparency: Products are third party tested with links to the results available on the product page, as well as on the brand’s separate Test Results page. Experts often recommend starting low and going slow when increasing your CBD dosage. This allows you to monitor how the CBD affects you, and may help minimize potential side effects. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. †A proprietary study conducted in 2022 by CBDistillery and MoreBetter. Of the 74 mostly non-Hispanic participants who completed this 30-day study, 45 were female and 29 were male, with ages ranging from 21 to 79 and an average age of 48.8 years. MoreBetter is a data insights provider that collects real world evidence-based outcomes via the Releaf App from cannabis and hemp consumers.
