One in seven Americans is using CBD products. And if you’re living in the US, it’s unlikely that you have never heard of Cannabidiol (CBD) before.

In December 2018 production of industrial hemp was legalized through the Farm Bill. This led to the start of CBD’s popularity in the US as more and more people turned to it for medical and recreational purposes.

Today, CBD is a billion-dollar market in America as people across the US use it for numerous health and wellness benefits.

But it’s natural to feel skeptical of a natural substance that not very long ago belonged to Schedule I drugs of the FDA. After all, CBD is said to be derived from marijuana which has a reputation for being an intoxicating and dangerous drug.

To clear the air and help first-time CBD users, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about CBD and how to get the most out of it.

Assorted CBD gummies

Where Does CBD Come From?

We’ll start with the basics of CBD. Let’s start with the source of CBD that makes a whole lot of difference in its composition, legality, and experience.

Hemp

Hemp is the source plant of CBD. Hemp belongs to the cannabis Sativa category and has less than 0.3 percent of THC present in it. This makes it legal, non-intoxicating, and a provider of numerous health benefits CBD is credited for.

Marijuana

Marijuana is another type of cannabis plant that has an abundant amount of THC present in it. Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, is the element that causes high but still has a wide range of medical benefits.

Types of CBD Products in the Market

Before you head out to buy CBD products in the US, it’s important to know the three types of products available.

Isolates

CBD isolate is the purest type of CBD product made from 100 percent CBD concentrate. This contains no other flavonoids, terpenes, or THC traces.  

Broad-Spectrum

If you buy CBD oil labeled as broad-spectrum, it doesn’t contain THC. But such products contain other cannabis compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids.  

Full-Spectrum

Some people like to go all in when using CBD. Full-spectrum CBD products that contain all compounds, including THC. However, THC quantities are lower than 0.3 percent, as currently legal in the US, and therefore often insufficient for intoxication. Full-spectrum CBD products are great for people looking for the Entourage Effect.

CBD vape pen on cannabis leaves

Which CBD Products Can You Buy?

Snacks, shampoos, coffees, and even balms now contain CBD. But if you’re looking to buy high-end CBD products, then here are some options for you to try:

  1. CBD oils
  2. CBD tinctures
  3. CBD vapes
  4. CBD edibles

What Can You Use CBD For?

64 percent of American adults believe CBD is safer than alcohol! This has change in opinion has prompted many to begin using CBD for the following purposes:

Pain Management

From injury-induced pains to chronic pains such as arthritis, CBD products are widely popular for pain management.

Muscle Fatigue

Many people also use CBD oils for muscular fatigue and to ease strained muscles. If you want to relax after a long day, applying CBD oil can help you.

Sleep Disorder

CBD can help you improve sleep quality. Whether you have insomnia or need help sleeping, CBD is known to help people relax and go to sleep.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is another condition that’s said to be improved with CBD, as claimed by experts.

Chronic Illnesses

Migraines, sinuses, MS, diabetes, and other chronic medical conditions can also be managed, and symptoms are alleviated by incorporating CBD into the routine.

Person taking out CBD oil from a dropper

Opioid Addiction

Opioid abuse is the leading cause of drug-related deaths in the US. The good news is that people can now use CBD to fight opioid addiction.

Anxiety

62 percent of Americans use CBD for anxiety. So if you have anxiety and need to calm yourself, CBD edibles can work for you!

PTSD

Post-trauma stress disorder is another mental health condition that can be managed with the help of CBD products.

Alzheimer’s

Around six million people in the US have Alzheimer’s. But recent research says that using CBD can help patients to better manage their condition.

Fight-Off Chemotherapy Side Effects

CBD is also a miracle medicine for people who have had cancer and chemotherapy. It’s said that CBD tinctures and edibles can improve the condition of those who have chemo side effects.

Recreational and Wellness

And even if you don’t have a medical condition, you can use CBD products for wellness and recreational purposes. Some people use CBD to enjoy its holistic healing properties.

Person doing outdoor exercise

Some FAQs About CBD

Presently, all 50 states in the US allow their citizens to use CBD. Out of these, only 19 states allow CBD’s recreational use while others permit medical use.  

How long does it take for CBD to kick in?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. The time for CBD onset depends on your tolerance as well as the type of product you’re using. CBD vapes have the quickest delivery, and CBD edibles have the slowest.

What’s a CBD product’s bioavailability?

Bioavailability refers to the amount of CBD that will actually be absorbed by your body. After the first-pass effect, only some amount of CBD makes it to the body, and the rest is discarded. However, you can improve a CBD product’s bioavailability by using products with pure concentration or by vaping.

Are there any side effects?

Pure CBD products have minimal side effects, including nausea, appetite increase, or dry mouth.

Can you overdose on CBD?

While it’s a good idea to start with a small CBD dose initially, you can’t really overdose on CBD. It takes an unimaginable amount of CBD (and impractical, too) that can cause someone to overdose on CBD.

Does CBD show up on a drug test?

Isolate CBD products that only contain CBD traces don’t show up on drug tests. However, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD products can show up on a drug test that’s looking for THC. This is because, despite having less than 0.3 percent THC, the drug test may be able to detect its presence in your blood.

CBD pills, oil, and leave

How to Buy the Right CBD Product?

This is an important question for first-time CBD users. Everything you need to know to buy the right CBD product for yourself is discussed below.

Do Your Research

Finding the right CBD product doesn’t happen by luck. It takes time, research, and willingness on the user’s part to find the perfect product that works best for them. Start by researching CBD products online or read more blogs such as this.

Look for Organic Products

Organic CBD products are not only legal but also have minimal side effects. If you want to benefit fully from CBD, then always buy organic CBD.

Know Your State’s Laws

As said earlier, 37 states allow the medical use of CBD, and 19 allow its citizens to use CBD for recreational purposes too. Before you use CBD, find out about your state laws.

Vet the Vendor

Don’t buy CBD from the first person you see online. Take your time to vet the vendor and look for past clients’ reviews.

CBD balm on a towel

Know the Concentration

Whether you’re using CBD isolates or full-spectrum CBD products, pure concentration is important. There are sellers selling concoctions of various ingredients in the name of CBD, and you surely don’t want those products.

Don’t Buy Cheap

Organic and premium CBD products are not cheap to the manufacturer. So if a seller is selling cheap CBD, they may not be selling CBD at all! Know the market prices when you research. Check

Third-Party Tests

The best way to vet a vendor is to ask for third-party tests and read the label carefully. If you skip these things, you may not get the benefits of CBD you’re looking for.

Pick the Right Product

Different CBD products work differently. For example, a CBD gummy is great for people with anxiety, but an arthritis patient may want CBD oil. Choose the product that will work best for your needs.

Talk to a Doctor

If you have an underlying medical condition or you’re taking prescription drugs, it’s safe to talk to a doctor first. Some medicines may counteract CBD, and you should then stay away from this product.

 CBD powdered hemp

Tips to Buy CBD for the First Time

Now we feel that you’re ready to buy CBD for the first time! Here are the tips to remember when you buy CBD online or in-store.

Take Your Time

There’s no rush! Even if all your friends are veteran CBD users and you quickly want to join the party, don’t be hasty. Take your time to research the prices, types of products, and vendors in your area that sell pure CBD.

Start Small

It’s suggested to start with 20 to 40 mg of CBD initially and then gradually increase the dose. You may want to work around different doses to find the perfect magical potion for you.

Don’t Expect Miracles

Don’t let anyone tell you that CBD can do wonders overnight! Even the best quality CBD will take time to show results, so it’s better to wait it out and see what works for you.

Make a Routine

Incorporate CBD into your daily routine. Some people prefer to take CBD in the morning for increased focus during the day, while some prefer it at night to get a good night’s sleep. Whatever you do, make it a routine.

Know Your Needs

Knowing your CBD needs is essential to find the best product. For anxiety, people use CBD edibles, and for pain, people prefer CBD oils. You can choose the product based on your aim for using CBD.  

Person reading a CBD bottle label

Try Different Products

But that doesn’t mean that you should stick to one product. CBD works differently for different people, so to get the desired outcome, you may want to experiment initially to find the perfect fix.

Opt for Entourage Effect

Some people prefer full-spectrum THC and CBD products as it allows them to benefit from the properties of THC as well as other cannabis compounds. This is called the Entourage Effect

Or Stay Among the Isolates

But full-spectrum CBD products can show up on a drug test as a false positive for THC testing. So if you’re worried about drug tests, then stick to the isolates.

Don’t Ignore Organic Products

Organic CBD gummies, oils, and tinctures are best for people who seek to benefit from CBD and avoid all the harmful side effects of synthetic products. When buying CBD, always opt for organic products that are easily available online.

Give it Time

As said earlier, CBD does not work wonders within minutes. If you use CBD and feel no effect, use a little more CBD the next day. Try a CBD product for a week at least to find out if it’s working for you. In case you don’t feel that a CBD product is helping you, try another one. Give CBD some time to show that it’s indeed worth all the hype!

Buy CBD Products Across the US Now!

If you have come this far, you’re probably really keen on trying CBD for the first time. To find the best CBD products online, get in touch with Mary Jane’s Bakery Co. The online CBD store has CBD tinctures, CBD vapes and cartridges, CBD edibles, and premium hemp flowers.

You can also buy Delta-8 THC products from Mary Jane’s Bakery Co., that’s based in Miami and delivers across the US.