Why Is CBD So Expensive?
Article written by
Ruth LemonVP of Operations
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis JasseyMedical Director - Pediatric Medicine
Cannabidiol (CBD) products are expensive because quality and safety control come with an added price. It is crucial to ensure that you know what is in your CBD products and buying pricier, better quality, third-party tested products is the way to do that.
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Why Is CBD so Expensive?
CBD products can be expensive, but they may look more costly than they are. You have to keep in mind that these products usually come in a very concentrated form, so you’ll be able to get more out of them than you think. CBD dosing is also in small quantities, starting from as little as 10-20 milligrams (mg), so you will not be using much of it at once.
The higher price that comes with CBD oil also guarantees that you are buying a product of high quality. Cheaper CBD products may be of lower concentration, contain undisclosed ingredients like synthetic CBD, or even carry the incorrect amount of certain ingredients, such as THC.
CBD products are characterized by low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels of less than 0.3%. This allows people to legally take cannabinoid products for the potential therapeutic benefits without the intoxicating effects of THC.
Taking a CBD product that, without your knowledge, is high in THC could have legal implications depending on where you live, as products containing more than 0.3% THC are not legalized or decriminalized in many states.
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Factors That Influence CBD Product Prices
Quality
The quality of a CBD product refers to how pure it is or how strong it is. Higher quality products will be more natural, concentrated, and expensive. The higher quality product will cost you more, but you can get more doses out of it.
Ingredients
It can be hard to know what ingredients are in a CBD product — what is listed on the label is not always what is in the bottle. This is because there is very little regulation around CBD products in the United States.
The higher price point for some CBD products means that you are paying to be able to trust the listed ingredients. This is important for a few reasons:
- Trusting the CBD content: More concentrated products are worth the money, but you want to ensure that the product contains the amount of CBD it claims on the label. Otherwise, it will not be worth your money. Some companies reduce their costs by diluting their products with cheaper ingredients.
- Ensure it does not contain THC: THC is the psychoactive compound found in high quantities in marijuana that makes you “high.” As mentioned before, high levels of THC can be illegal in certain states.
- Ensure it does not contain synthetic CBD: Most good quality CBD products are made naturally by extracting the CBD from the flowers and leaves of hemp plants. However, with no regulations, there is no way to know that these synthetic compounds are safe, so it is better to avoid them.
Third-Party Analysis
This is product testing by independent third-party organizations to test the claims made by brands about what is in their CBD products. They test for things like CBD content, THC content, and the presence of any harmful ingredients.
These organizations remain independent and neutral in the CBD industry so consumers can trust their analysis more than first-party testing. CBD companies pay to have their products third-party tested at an added cost to ensure they are high quality, and this further explains why better-quality CBD products are more expensive.
Legal Red Tape
It was not until the 2018 Farm Bill that it became legal to grow and produce hemp products across the U.S. This means that the industry is young, and there has not been enough time to create well-established hemp farms, further contributing to the higher price points.
Tips for Making CBD Products Last Longer
Use the Lowest Dose Possible
An effective dose of CBD looks different for everybody. The general advice is to start low at 20 mg per day and build up as needed until you find the dose that gives you the effects you are looking for.
To make CBD products more cost-effective, it is essential not to take more than the dose you have determined to be enough. If you take more than you need, it starts to get expensive. If you are in a state with legalized medical marijuana, using low doses of THC can also reduce the amount of CBD you may require, helping reduce expenses overall.
Take with Fat or Oil
Ingesting oil or a high-fat meal will increase the amount of CBD available for the body to use by acting as an “oil vehicle.” Taking oral CBD products can be complicated because most of the CBD gets metabolized before reaching your bloodstream, reducing its effects. An “oil vehicle” will protect the CBD from metabolism and increase the amount that reaches your bloodstream.
Increasing the effectiveness of your CBD product will mean you can take a lower dose, which will make the product last longer.
The Bottom Line
Yes, CBD products can be expensive, but you tend to be paying for a higher quality product. Choosing cheaper options comes with added risks and uncertainties about what the product contains and can be a false economy as they may not have the amount of CBD the label says it does.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will CBD prices go down?
The CBD industry is young, having really only taken off after the 2018 Farm Bill. Because of this, many hemp farms are still being established. Over time, you may see a drop in the price of CBD products as hemp becomes more accessible.
Is CBD oil overpriced?
That, in part, can only be answered based on whether it works as well as you need it to. The science is not conclusive on the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD, but many people believe that it works. Considering the potential risks of buying cheaper CBD products, no, safe, clean, high-quality CBD oil is not overpriced.
