Five Things to Know Before Buying a Hemp Product

There is a huge variety of hemp products in the market today. From flavorful edibles to milk, water and lotion; you are spoilt for choices. You try searching online for holiday edition gifts with keywords like ‘Hemp Lotion Holiday’ and you might even find a product with these specifications! Whether you are buying hemp products for you or your dog, it is best to have the proper information at your disposal.

Here are five things to know before buying a hemp product.

1. Hemp products will contain negligible amount of THC.

Hemp and cannabis are the same species of plants. But hemp contains very low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC (less than 0.3%). So, basically, hemp is cannabis containing 0.3% or less THC. So, hemp products do not produce any euphoric effects that are common with marijuana (the other form of cannabis).

Hemp is mostly used in lotions, milk, balms, oils, and some edibles. It is also used to make ropes and fabrics. So, don’t confuse hemp products with other cannabis products.

2. Buy from reputed sellers.

Always choose authentic and reputed sellers for buying hemp products. Hemp products are not always regulated by FDA or other authorities. So, practice caution when buying hemp products.

Authentic sellers will offer lab reports with their products. Refrain from buying items without lab reports even if the product is available at attractive prices. The reports must be from a third-party lab. If the lab is not independent of the seller, then there is no way to know if you can trust the reports created by them.

The reports must be available on the website itself. If you don’t find them, contact the seller and inquire about the same.

Reputed sellers will also provide a proper description of the product.

3. Read the labels.

Never buy hemp products without reading the labels. For instance, if you use ‘Hemp Lotion Holiday’ to find hemp lotion; check the quantity and how much it will dispense per pump. Read the ingredients in the lotion; such as whether they contain lidocaine and menthol. Assess if the ingredients in the lotion serve your purpose. For instance, if you want a cooling cream, menthol as an ingredient may be ideal.

4. Try products in small doses.

It is best to try hemp products in small doses if you have never used them before. Even if it’s a lotion or oil, use it cautiously. The same applies if you are buying hemp treats for dogs. Begin with 1-2 doses. If the dog can consume it without issues, you can increase the number of treats. Best to use hemp treats for dogs as per your veterinarian’s recommendations.

If using hemp lotion, oil or milk causes no problems to you, continue using it by increasing the quantity if needed. Try using the lotion on a skin patch in your arm and test it out for a day.

Hemp oil is generally safe. Since it contains very little amount of THC, it will not produce any high like other cannabis products.

5. Practice caution.

When it comes to cannabinoids, it is best to practice caution. Even though hemp is considered safe due to low THC, it may still not be the right ingredient for you. Some people are allergic to cannabis. If you are then you may be allergic to hemp also. So, try it out in smaller quantities and continue its use only if it is safe for you.

Refrain from using hemp products when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are due for surgery, refrain from using hemp for at least two weeks before it. Hemp helps lower blood pressure, which may not be ideal during surgery.

If you are taking medications for high blood pressure, then remember that hemp can interact with it. If you are on anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs (for a slower blood clotting process), hemp might be problematic. Hemp also reduces the rate at which your blood will clot. Too much of hemp and anticoagulants at the same time can be problematic. It can increase your risks of bruising and bleeding.

With some caution, you can buy and use quality hemp products.