How Much Does CBD Oil Cost?

Now that the Farm Bill has legalized industrial hemp on a federal level, many consumers feel more comfortable considering CBD (cannabidiol) oil use.

However, if you’re a first-time user, you may be wondering how much it costs to buy CBD oil. And if you’ve done any research thus far, you’ve likely already seen that the answer to this question varies widely and can be anywhere from $30 an ounce to $200 an ounce, or more. [2] Why such a large range?

Because the final product costs depend on a number of different factors, such as the type of CBD oil used, the CBD oil form, its strength, and, ultimately, the quality of the CBD itself. Let’s go over each of these now.

One factor that can affect the price of CBD products is the type of oil they contain. This means paying attention to whether it is a CBD isolate or a full spectrum CBD oil.

A CBD isolate contains only one cannabinoid: CBD. A full spectrum CBD oil, on the other hand, contains multiple cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other useful substances that come directly from the cannabis plant.

This is important to realize because choosing a full spectrum CBD oil gives you access to ingredients that, when acting together, create a high level of synergy, more commonly referred to as the entourage effect. In short, the product is able to provide more positive effect because, as a whole, all of the cannabinoids working together are more powerful than CBD on its own.

If you’re wondering, full spectrum CBD oils do contain trace amount of THC. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and is the part of the marijuana plant that is associated with feeling high. That said, for these types of products to be legal in most states, they cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC.

However, if you’re concerned about this issue, such as whether or not it could negatively impact a job-related drug test, you can always stick with a CBD isolate as these are THC-free.

CBD oil products come in many different forms. For instance, you can buy CBD tinctures (which involves using a dropper to place the oil directly under your tongue), CBD oil for vape pens, and other types of products that contain CBD, such as gummies, lotions, and more. Some of these cost more than others and will dictate how much you’ll spend.

At first glance, the form you choose will likely depend in part on which method of taking CBD you prefer. However, it’s also important to consider which forms have higher levels of bioavailability, which means that your body will actually use the CBD oil the product contains.

As an example, if you take CBD capsules orally, you will automatically lose some of the CBD because your digestive juices will destroy it. Yet, if you use a CBD tincture and place the oil sublingually (under the tongue), you avoid your digestive system altogether, so your body is able to absorb more of the hemp extract.

One side note to mention here, there is currently some concern over the negative side effects of using vape pens to inhale your CBD oil, so use caution if this is the form you choose.

Another factor that will determine how much your CBD oil costs is the strength of the CBD. If the CBD products you choose to use contain a higher potency level, they are going to cost more than products that contain fewer milligrams of CBD.

Now, before you decide to purchase from CBD brands offering a lower milligram of CBD in an effort to save some cash, remember that it may not cost you less in the end. What does this mean?

If you use a low-dose CBD product, it likely won’t be as effective as you’d like. This means you’ll have to take more of it to obtain the results you want, which translates into going through your CBD oil faster and needing to replenish it more often.

Conversely, if you choose to buy from a CBD company that focuses on providing the highest quality CBD possible, you’re going to spend a little more, but your products will also last you longer. Not to mention that they will be more likely to provide the results you desire, which is the whole reason you’re taking the CBD oil to begin with.

We’ve already touched on this briefly, but buying a quality product is going to be more money out of pocket. But this is an expense that will pay off due to being more effective, as well as protecting you from some of the CBD products out there that are actually unsafe to take.

For instance, there are currently some brands of CBD oil that originate from North Korea that are filled with heavy metals. That makes them dangerous to your health, especially if you take them over a longer period of time, giving these metals time to build up in your system.

Alternatively, if you purchase from a United States-based CBD oil manufacturer, more stringent guidelines are enforced. Guidelines that you can verify when choosing a CBD company that has their products tested by a third-party lab.

This type of lab testing is critical because it shows that an agency that has nothing to gain has reviewed the product, determined that the amount of CBD it contains is accurate, and verifies that nothing has been added to the product that can potentially harm you.

Eventually, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will take a more active role in regulating CBD products. However, it has stated that it will not do so until more research has been conducted. [3] This research will help manufacturers and users both learn more about the exact benefits of CBD based on how much CBD a product contains, the best CBD to use, and how to help the body better absorb the CBD, such as by taking it with coconut oil.

An additional consideration when it comes to determining the quality of the CBD oil is the strain the manufacturer uses as some strains are more effective at offering health benefits than others. This is a huge issue to Spruce, which is why, when producing its CBD oils, it only uses a strain that has been 120 years in the making.

And finally, the extraction process that is used to pull the CBD from the hemp plant matters for quality purposes too. For instance, Spruce uses only CBD that has extracted via a moonshine extraction method. This provides for a higher-quality of CBD than CO2 extraction.

Before you buy CBD oil, consider all of these factors and remember that, while some products may cost less, this really is one instance where you get what you pay for.

For example, if you buy a CBD oil that costs less, but only contains CBD (and not other beneficial cannabinoids), has poor bioavailability, offers a poor level of strength, and is overall low in quality, you’re essentially spending your hard-earned money on a product that isn’t going to work.

Instead, focus more on product quality and you’ll be happier with the results, making your CBD oil investment more than worth it the cost.

 

 

 

Sources:

[1] Johnson, J. “Does CBD Oil Work for Chronic Pain Management?” Medical News Today. Jul 29, 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319475.php

[2] Rylah, J. “How Much Does CBD Oil Cost? What You Need to Know. Weed Maps. May 24, 2019. https://news.weedmaps.com/2019/05/how-much-does-cbd-oil-cost-what-you-need-to-know/

[3] Abernathy, A. “FDA is Committed to Sound, Science-Based Policy on CBD.” FDA.gov. Accessed Sep 20, 2019. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-voices-perspectives-fda-leadership-and-experts/fda-committed-sound-science-based-policy-cbd