How to Choose High-Quality CBD Products: Tips from Experts

Posted On: March 25, 2025

How to Choose High-Quality CBD Products: Tips from Experts

In recent years, the CBD market has taken off, with oils, tinctures, gummies, and topical products taking over shelves in your local pharmacy and across the United States. As a pharmacy wholesaler in the USA, knowing how to choose CBD products of the highest quality is key. Drugzone, a trusted pharmaceutical distributor, offers reliable CBD options that meet safety standards. As people become more familiar with and begin trying CBD, customers become motivated to find safe and effective options. Unfortunately, the market is overwhelmed with dubious products that do not meet the safety standards shop owners expect. Here are some pro tips on how to select top-shelf CBD products that will keep your customers happy and returning to your pharmacy for more CBD products.

Understand the Source of the CBD

The start of high-quality CBD is where the product comes from. When looking at CBD products:

  • Look for CBD that was sourced from organic, non-GMO hemp.
  • Look for hemp that is directly sourced from U.S. or EU sources, as the laws and standards are more stringent.
  • Preferably, hemp is sourced from states like Colorado, Kentucky, and Oregon, as their cultivation standards and regulations are more stringent.

Selecting CBD that is sourced from a regulated source would promote higher standards in the cultivation and processing of hemp and would lower the chances of contaminants in the final product.

Check for Third-Party Lab Testing

Third-party lab testing is one of the most important aspects of judging CBD quality. What should you look for?

  • Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from independent, certified labs.
  • Verification of cannabinoid levels (CBD and THC).
  • Verification that the product is free of pesticides, heavy metals, and other safety hazards.

Trustworthy brands will make their COAs easy to find, often by listing them on their website or as a QR code attached to their packaging. If you're a wholesaler, ask to see these lab results before carrying any CBD products.

Examine the Extraction Method.

The extraction method used to create a CBD product greatly influences the quality of that product. Here is what you should know:

  • CO2 extraction remains widely considered to be the gold standard in terms of purity and safety.
  • Ethanol extraction is another acceptable method, although not as refined as CO2 extraction.

Avoid all products utilizing dangerous solvents or dubious extraction methods, as they are more likely to leave residual components in the final product.

Assessing the Product Type and Form

There are many forms of CBD, each with its benefits, including:

  • Full-spectrum CBD has all the cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, including THC (up to 0.3%).
  • Broad-spectrum CBD has many cannabinoids, but none that are THC.
  • CBD isolate is pure CBD without any cannabinoids.

Stocking a range of product types can help ensure a pharmacy wholesaler in the USA meets a broad customer base, including:

  • Various oils & tinctures can be used in various ways.
  • Capsules that provide an exact dosage every time.
  • Edibles such as gummies allow users to ingest CBD in a fun way.
  • Topicals for points of relief.

Examine the Ingredients

When it comes to choosing CBD products, you want to make sure you are checking the ingredient label.

  • Choose products that contain natural and organic ingredients.
  • Stay away from products containing unrecognizable additives or fillers that may be harmful.
  • Look for extra beneficial ingredients, such as terpenes and essential oils.

In general, fewer ingredients are a good sign of higher quality. Effective CBD products do not have to have long ingredient labels filled with additives and ingredients to be effective.

Consider Brand Reputation

In the CBD market, a company's reputation can go a long way in reflecting the quality of its products. Consider the following factors:

  • Choose brands with favorable customer reviews and testimonials.
  • Look for companies that are open about their sourcing and manufacturing processes.
  • Check for industry certifications, as well as compliance with the FDA.

Brands that are committed to educating and supporting their customers tend to be more reliable, as they are addressing quality-focused issues.

Assessing Price and Value

Though you will be tempted to purchase the cheapest products available, keep in mind that quality CBD has a price. Here's how to assess the price:

  • Extremely cheap products should raise questions in your mind regarding quality and how diluted the products are.
  • Consider the price in comparison to the potency and amount of product being sold.
  • Look for brands that offer discounts for bulk purchases or a rewards program in line with wholesaling products.

While investing in more expensive products means paying up front, the return on investment will be happy customers leading to return business.

About Drugzone

Drugzone Pharmaceuticals Inc., a wholesale distributor of generic pharmaceutical products for both human and animal health, has its headquarters in New York. The company services veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals, long-term care facilities, and independent pharmacies in approximately 44 states. Drugzone distributes over 2,000 products from reputable manufacturers, all of which it has sourced over the last 30 years in business. As a distributor with NABP accreditation and FDA compliance, Drugzone can uphold quality, safety, and compliance for its customers. Drugzone is a trustworthy provider in the world of pharmaceutical distribution, committed to consistent service delivery and timely delivery. Drugzone is especially adept at meeting the various and evolving needs of its diverse customer base in the healthcare provider space.

Conclusion

As a pharmacy wholesaler in the USA, Drugzone plays a key role in carrying and providing high-quality CBD products. By following these recommendations from experts, you can ensure that you're stocking safe, effective, and reputable CBD products:

  • Source from reputable, preferably U.S.-based, hemp farms.
  • Always verify that third-party lab testing has been conducted.
  • Learn about the various types and forms of CBD to provide options.
  • Source brands with natural ingredients and fewer ingredients.
  • Choose well-known brands with reputable and transparent practices.
  • Be fair and reasonable in pricing and quality.

Remember the CBD industry is evolving, and regulations continue to become more stringent. Always keep up-to-date with the latest regulations and keep your customers' safety and satisfaction front of mind. By creating a pipeline of high-quality CBD products to include in your wholesale business, you are establishing your wholesale company’s brand as a reputable provider in an expanding market.

Selecting quality CBD products requires some work and education, but in the end, you will reap the benefits with customers returning to you for continued business. Building your inventory as a pharmacy wholesaler in the USA, remember these tips and don't hesitate to reach out to your suppliers and demand transparency. You will stand out against other competitors in the CBD wholesale realm by taking pride in the quality of your products.

FAQs

Q1. How can I tell whether a CBD product is of good quality?

A1. You will want to look for Certificates of Analysis (COA) or third-party lab results for the CBD product, which will confirm all the materials of a product and what the potency is. Ideally, you would also want to know the source of the Hanf and extract method used and the ingredient list. I would recommend looking into reputable manufacturers that have done their homework and have a transparent model in making their products.

Q2. What is the difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate?

A2. A full-spectrum product will contain all the cannabinoids, which would include trace amounts of THC. This provides the entourage effect from all the cannabinoids working together. A broad-spectrum product will contain multiple cannabinoids but will not have any THC, and a CBD isolate product will be pure CBD with no other cannabinoids. This will depend on individual preference and what wellness goal you are looking to achieve.

Q3. Are cheaper CBD products trustworthy?

A3. Not always. There are plenty of cheaper products out there, but whenever a price point is so much less than the average of similar products, it is reasonable to question its quality. Not all cheaper-priced products will be low quality, and there are also plenty of trustworthy cheap options. However, it generally is best practice to compare the product's potency, extraction method, and third-party lab results to ensure you are buying a safe and effective product.

Article Author

Steve Thomas

Steve Thomas

Operations and Compliance

Working in Operations and Compliance at Drugzone Pharmaceuticals Inc. ,I manage Regulatory Strategy, Operations Management, Business Strategy, and many more. I also have experience in Project management, budgeting, and team leadership.