The most reputable CBD companies take great pride in the origins of their product. They can trace a bottle of CBD from field to bottle, paying close attention to the cultivation and manufacturing process. But does the origins of your CBD oil really matter? Is there any risk to health if you don’t know where your CBD oil came from? And is British-grown CBD oil something we could soon see hitting the shelves? This article will explore the potential origins of your CBD oil and why this matters to the quality of the product. We’ll also share our tips for ensuring you purchase only quality CBD oil from reputable companies. Where can hemp and cannabis be grown legally? The vast majority of CBD oil in the world is grown in just four countries. The USA, Canada, France and China are world leaders in hemp cultivation for CBD oil. Each country, and even individual territories within each country, have different rules for who can cultivate hemp. For example, while it’s legal for California farmers to grow hemp and cannabis, farmers in Idaho are not allowed to grow any quantity of either. In China, only a few provinces are currently producing industrial hemp. Interestingly, China doesn’t allow the sale of CBD products, but cultivation for export is still allowed. At the moment, China produces around half of the world’s hemp. How is industrial hemp grown? Industrial hemp is considered to be an environmentally friendly crop that can help improve soil quality and provide the perfect option for crop rotation. In addition, it doesn’t require high levels of pesticides to grow, which helps to protect the land and waterways. It’s also easier to grow it organically than other crops. Industrial hemp is also a very hardy plant, being able to withstand frosty temperatures as low as -5°C, although this will limit the growth. Ideal conditions for industrial hemp cultivation would be temperatures between 19-25°C with an average rainfall of around 20-30 inches during the growing season. This profile makes it ideal for growing in most climates. With modern irrigation and the ideal soil conditions, plants can quickly reach 15 feet tall. And the most appealing aspect for farmers is the quick turnaround. Hemp plants can be ready to harvest after just four months. Can UK farms grow hemp and cannabis? Farmers in the UK can grow industrial hemp under very strict conditions, but they can only use it for producing hemp fibres. The flowers must be destroyed, which means UK hemp cannot be used to produce CBD. This means that all CBD in the UK is imported, so it’s important to pay close attention to the origins of your CBD oil. Not all CBD is created equal, and skipping important steps in the cultivation and production process can vastly change the quality of the product. For example, non-organic CBD oil is at higher risk of contamination by pesticides simply because pesticides may be used in the cultivation. Why does the origin of your CBD oil matter? Knowing the origins of your CBD oil is essential for several reasons. First, you want to know that the stated concentration of CBD and THC in your product is accurate. You don’t want non-existent CBD or illegal levels of THC. Second, paying close attention to the origins can also tell you a little more about the quality of the product. Organic CBD is widely considered to be superior to no-organic CBD. In addition, growing industrial hemp to organic standards means there is a lower risk of contamination with pesticides. Industrial hemp can absorb toxins, heavy metals and chemicals from the soil, which can then make it into the finished product. By choosing organic CBD products, you can reduce the risk of contamination. Choosing a CBD brand that sources its CBD from a location with a strict regulatory landscape can give some reassurance that the product will be of high quality. For example, we know that industrial hemp grown in Colorado is subject to strict rules, and all growers and handlers must be licensed by the state. And all CBD products must be tested by a licensed lab before they can be sold. Compare this with CBD from China – where cultivation rules and regulations are less transparent – and you can see why origins matter to CBD customers. What else impacts CBD quality? Growing the crop is only the first leg of the journey. The flowers must then be processed to extract the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. The most common method to extract cannabinoids from the plant material is supercritical CO2 extraction. This is a process that requires specialist machinery and expert knowledge. The extraction process allows manufacturers to select the cannabinoid profile. The majority of CBD oil on sale in the UK has been grown and extracted elsewhere. The pure cannabinoid extract is imported and then turned into the CBD oil that you know and love. The pure cannabinoid extract is blended with a carrier oil, which can also impact the quality of the final product. We use MCT oil, which allows for a greater concentration of CBD to be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. How do I know if I’m getting quality CBD oil? There are a few signs to look out for when purchasing CBD products. First, the company should always supply a certificate of analysis for their products. This shows they are serious about the CBD content of their products. Second, look for companies that know the origins of their CBD. It should be a point of pride that they can trace their cannabinoids back to a specific location. If a company doesn’t state where their CBD oil is from, it could be because they don’t know, or they don’t want you to know. And finally, the company should also be aware of local regulations for selling CBD to consumers. For example, in the UK, CBD cannot be described as a medicine – or else it would need a medicine license, which can only be obtained with clinical trials. If a company makes medicinal claims or states that their CBD is a cure/treatment for any condition, they are not following the rules. This is unfair to consumers and unfair to other CBD companies that are following the rules. Heart Hemp CBD is proud to be organic, traceable, vegan and environmentally friendly. Our values are a core part of our business model, and we wouldn’t want to do it any other way.
