Table of Contents
Introduction
The parents of children with serious medical conditions created the CBD industry by lobbying legislatures on behalf of their kids.1 These parents were determined to get help for their children, and through that process they became pioneers. They were the first to ask, "Is CBD Safe?" And five years later, that answer is becoming more apparent every day.
After succeeding in legalized cannabis at the state level, these parents finally convinced Congress in 2014 to legalize hemp through the Farm Bill.2 Then the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the controlled substance list,3 legalizing hemp containing no more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) , and thereby creating the CBD supplement industry.
While a few states may still prohibit any form of cannabis, CBD products with low levels of THC are currently legal at the federal level. CBD may now be found in health and beauty products all over! So is cannabidiol (CBD) considered to be safe? Not so fast.
For starters, 70 percent of all CBD products sold in the United States are made from hemp grown in China .4 That's a problem because of the lack of regulations about growing hemp in contaminated fields in China.
The hemp cannabis plant absorbs a great deal of the chemicals in the soil through a process known as bio-accumulation.5 That's great if the hemp is grown in organic soil, but potentially very bad if it's grown in soil contaminated with toxins.
But the bigger problem is America's current lack of regulation in the CBD industry. American farmers grow better hemp. But how much better? Even American-grown hemp plant products containing CBD may be contaminated. That's why it's important to know what you're looking for when buying any hemp-based products containing CBD.
Pesticides & CBD Oils
As the first Kentucky CBD company to offer USDA certified organic CBD oils, Cornbread Hemp takes pesticide contamination seriously. Most people recognize the importance and value of the the USDA organic seal . But for some, it’s less clear. More and more news reports suggest that CBD products out there may not contain what they claim on their labels. So now people realize that they need hemp CBD products with a seal of approval they can trust — the USDA organic seal.
Everyone who shops at a grocery store has seen the USDA organic seal on fruits and vegetables in the produce aisle. And every year, shoppers buy $50 billion worth of certified organic products.
Is Certified Organic CBD Oil Better?
There is one big difference between organic apples and organic CBD oil — the concentration. Because CBD manufacturers extract hemp plants or hemp flowers into a concentrated cannabis extract or oil, any contaminants like pesticides that get through the extraction process also become concentrated in the final product. So, that’s not good, and neither are the side effects that come along with using it.
Late last year, the EPA approved 10 pesticides to use on hemp.6 So we knew that pesticide contamination in American hemp would become an issue at some point. We just didn’t know when. It turns out, the answer is now.
Hemp & Pesticides Lawsuits
Hemp Industry Daily reported in March 2020 that a Vermont hemp processor filed a lawsuit against a Maryland hemp farmer. In the suit, the processor claims that the grower misrepresented the hemp in question as pesticide-free. But tests came back positive for Azoxystrobin and Propiconazole, two types of fungicide. These pesticides, if left undiscovered, could have caused significant harm when ingested. Then the product containing CBD could potentially cause fatal side effects or health issues.7
“No one should ever take or be given a product contaminated with agricultural antifungals,” said Dr. Leslie Mudd, DPharm, Cornbread Hemp’s resident pharmacist. “It is not safe. To knowingly sell such a product puts the public at risk and might abrogate trust in the industry.”
Organic CBD Oil is Safer
Most people understand that products bearing the USDA organic seal are grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.8 But that’s not all. There is a rigorous process to verify every ingredient of a product to ensure no contamination along any point in the supply chain.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture certifies all organic products in the Bluegrass State. The KDA audits our entire supply chain and approves our labels for Cornbread Hemp products that bear the organic seal. Only then can we sell our certified organic CBD oil to the general public.
Third Party Lab Testing
In addition to USDA organic certification, we test every CBD product at a third-party laboratory. This way, we can assure our products are free from pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, mycotoxins, and much more.
Our third party lab tests prove that our products contain no more that 0.3% THC,9 while retaining a full spectrum of cannabinoids . That means our customers can enjoy the benefits of CBD without breaking any federal laws.10
The Food and Drug Administration
If you're wondering whether the use of CBD products is safe for you, make sure to speak with your healthcare provider for any medical advice.11,12,13 Especially if you are on any medications or have any health issues.14
CBD Dosage & Body Weight
The thing about CBD dosage is that everybody is different.15 From what we ate for breakfast, our body fat percentage, our genetics, metabolism, and weight. In the end, your weight is the deciding factor on what dose of CBD may be safe for you.16 Remember, you can't overdose with the use of CBD !17
Best practice is to use your CBD daily, use this CBD Journal to keep track of your intake.
Side Effects of CBD
Clinical trials suggest that CBD isn't a "cure all." Researchers found that CBD could help the endocannabinoid system , a network of receptors overlaying the nervous system and found throughout the body, to manage homeostasis.18
As a natural plant-based supplement, it's no surprise that using CBD doesn't have many adverse effects, if any at all. CBD is generally well tolerated and we rarely hear reports about side effects from our customers. However, negative effects do happen from time to time.19
So what are some of the potential side effects CBD might cause? Very rarely, and more so in pet CBD use, there can be a mild case of diarrhea.20
Another potential effect CBD may have is change in appetite.21 Because CBD is found in cannabis hemp plants, products containing CBD may cause some users to feel the sense of hunger, otherwise known as the "munchies." Sometimes, we even hear feedback of dry mouth.22
Bottom Line: Is CBD Safe?
Scientific evidence from clinical trials of numerous animal studies and human studies suggest that CBD is safe. Because there is no risk of overdose with cannabidiol (CBD), it is generally regarded as well tolerated. Side effects may occur if there is a cannabis allergy, or if the dosage is too high.
However you must be sure to pay attention to the CBD products you buy. Due to lack of regulation, there are dangerous fake CBD products on the shelves that may be unsafe. Research CBD brands before buying from them. Look for the USDA certified organic seal, and check lab reports before using any CBD products, especially ingestible products like CBD gummies , CBD oil , and CBD capsules .
Cornbread Hemp makes it easy by having a scannable QR code on all their CBD products that lead directly to third party lab reports . And our CBD oils are the first in the region to carry the USDA certified organic seal. When you shop Cornbread, you can be assured that your CBD is safe.