There’s no denying that CBD oil is a rapidly growing phenomenon. Since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, CBD oil has gained serious traction in our culture.
When you browse the web, you probably come across numerous types of CBD brands. Not only do they look different, but they also carry different costs. One CBD oil may cost $40 while another costs $200. So how do we assess the value of what we’re getting? And why is CBD oil so expensive? Follow along as Hemplucid dives into the essential components that affect the cost of this high-demand product.
4 Factors That Impact the Cost of CBD Oil
Higher quality brings higher costs. But what exactly makes quality CBD oil?
1. Hemp Cultivation
Growing hemp is challenging. Variations can occur within the soil, water, and weather that can significantly impact the end product. Not to mention, with hemp being a bioaccumulator, it absorbs elements such as pesticides and heavy metals that can tarnish the safety of hemp products.
So it’s vital to find professionals who thoroughly understand the science behind growing hemp and the requirements involved to produce safe and pure CBD oil. This entails:
- Soil testing to ensure that organic, nutrient-rich, viable, and contaminant-free soil is being used on the farms.
- Cloning mother plants to ensure that consistent products are being created. Regular growing conditions also mean processes do not need to be altered between harvests.
As CBD becomes more commercial, the market has often encountered products that carry inorganic and synthetic compounds, reflecting the prioritization of quantity over quality. It’s imperative that quality is the focal point in farming and manufacturing to provide health and balance for our endocannabinoid system.
2. Extraction
Extraction plays a large role in the quality and cost of CBD oil. Once hemp is harvested, the CBD oil needs to be extracted from the plant. There are three main extraction methods:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction
- Steam distillation
- Natural solvent extraction
Though lengthy and expensive, extraction is a vital component to the CBD operation. CBD oils that are produced by CO2 extraction are typically more expensive than oils created from steam or natural solvent extraction. This is largely due to the specialized machinery that’s required and CO2’s notable efficiency in producing higher concentrations of CBD. It creates higher quality oils that are free of solvents and leaves terpene profiles full of flavor.
➤ When you need your CBD to work, you need it to be high-quality, whole-plant Hemplucid CBD oil
3. Refinement
When the CBD oil is extracted, there are a couple of refinement processes. These further purify the product to help enhance its potency and efficacy:
- Winterization - This involves dissolving the extract in ethanol or alcohol and freezing it to separate out the unwanted lipids, fats, and waxes, which the body cannot break down. (None of the alcohol or ethanol is found in the final product.) Winterization further purifies the oil and makes it more bioavailable.
- Decarboxylation - This converts acidic cannabinoids (CBDA) into non-acidic cannabinoids (CBD). Decarbing helps the oil pass through our bodies smoothly and releases the balancing and calming effects of CBD.
4. Lab Testing
Just as most food and drinks undergo testing and sampling before they’re available for us, CBD goes through a similar process—but it’s more complex. It requires lab testing, or batch concentrate testing. This is often sourced through a third party that conducts tests and ensures that high-quality supplements are provided to consumers. Some states also require scannable QR codes on all CBD items that link to these test reports.
Quality and Consistency Are Key
As you can tell, there are several aspects involved in the production of quality CBD oil that impact the cost. It’s important to keep in mind that CBD is an emerging industry. As more research is conducted, standards and regulations may change which can shift the value of CBD oil. No matter what happens, it’s important to stay proactive and vigilant. As a consumer, be picky about your CBD—never compromise quality.
Hemplucid is committed to continuously providing high-quality products that help customers experience the full range of hemp’s natural health benefits. We use hemp cloned from healthy mother plants that carry consistent genetics. As a result, our products offer a meaningful profile of secondary cannabinoids and terpenes. We grow our hemp plants in Colorado, and our products are processed in a Colorado state-approved facility to ensure they receive the highest standards of production and quality assurance.
