How Accurate are Your CBD Labels? Independent Test Results from CBD Brands
LeafReport has collaborated again with Canalysis a lab that analyzes CBD products for amounts of CBD and other cannabinoids detected (potency), various contaminants and residuals.
You can also watch the video below of our interview with the director Canalysis lab, Trevor Low going thought the test results:
How We Determined Accuracy
We sent Canalysis various products and then compared the levels of CBD actually determined using analytic lab techniques versus the level of CBD listed on the label. Any differences are described by determining a percent variance—that is a measure of how different the amount of CBD that is claimed to be in a product is to the amount actually found in the product.
If the Variance </= (+/-)10%, then the brand passed the accuracy-test successfully.
Let’s work out an example. Say some company –lets call it ACMEX-CBD has a product that claims there is a total of 300 mg of CBD in a 30 mL bottle and one “serving” is a dropperful or 1 mL. That would mean that every mL had 300 mg/30mL= 10 mg of CBD. Now let’s say the chemists at Canalysis determined there was actually 240 mg in that 30mL bottle. That would mean that every mL had 250mg/300 mL= 8 mg of CBD. That would mean that the % variance for the fictitious ACMEX-CBD would be:
Variance (%) = [(300- (240)] X 100 = 20%. The number is positive because the amount (300) claimed is More than the true amount .
If that same analysis determined that there was actually 330 mg in that 30mL bottle and not 300 mg, the % variance would be:
Variance (%) = [(300- (330)] X 100 = (-) 10%. The number is negative because the amount (300) claimed is Less than the true amount.
So if the % variance is positive, there is Less actual CBD than claimed and if the % variance is negative, there is More actual CBD than claimed.
| % Variance | Conclusion |
| %Variance is (+) | Less CBD than claimed |
| % Variance is (-) | More CBD than claimed |
How Did These Nine Companies Rate?
Green Roads
Green Roads has a great reputation in the CBD market but how well did they do on our accuracy test?
We tested the product labeled as containing a total of 250 mg in a 15mL bottle. The label and information from the site indicate that one serving (1 mL) should contain 17 mg of CBD. Let’s see what the COA from Canalysis states:
· In the column under “Mass”, we have 256.969 mg of CBD in 15 mL. The % variance on that is (-) 2.4 %. Great Result! Remember that a negative number in this context means the product contains more CBD than listed on the label. And, just to complete your information, 256.969 mg CBD/15 mL= 17.13 mg of CBD in every mL.
CBDFx
CBDFx is another well-rated and well-respected company. We tested their Hemp oil labeled as 500mg in 30 mL. That would mean a serving of 1 dropperful (1mL) should contain 16.67 mg of CBD or about 17 mg/ml.
The COA for this product indicates that the mg/unit (the full bottle) is 519.180 and pretty much on target. The % variance is (-) 3.83%. Another great result!
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web is among the best-known and well-respected companies in the CBD world. We had their 17 mg/ mL (serving) of CBD oil analyzed. Charlotte’s Web gives the amount per serving on the label rather than the total amount of CBD in the entire bottle (unit). Let’s see how they did.
According to the Canalysis COA, the unit contains 562.149 mg of CBD in a 30mL bottle—that works out to 18.74 mg/mL. That doesn’t look like much difference, but the % variance works out to be over (-)10%. ([-]10.19% to be more exact). So, while Charlotte’s Web actually gives you more CBD than it says on the label, as far as the accuracy testing goes, sorry to say that it did not pass – just barely.
CBDistillery
CBDistillery is a highly regarded company and one thing that stands out is its clear labeling. We had their 250mg CBD in 30mL oil tested by Canalysis. And since the company promotes that its product is THC-free, we’ll take a quick look at that as well.
The COA for CBDistillery indicates that the THC level is <LOQ, meaning it is below the Level of Quantification. For any geeks out there, the LOQ for Δ9-THC was 60.000 mg/unit while the LOQ for the Δ8THC was 21.000 mg/unit.
As far as the total CBD, the analysis determined that there was 253.200 mg/unit or 8.44 mg/mL. The % variance for this CBDistillery product was (-)1.28% and that is most definitely a “pass”!
Savage CBD
Savage CBD is possibly less well known, but well-regarded as providing quality CBD and providing a wide variety of products. We took a look at their Full Spectrum CBD tincture containing 1000 mg of CBD in 30 mL.
The COA indicates that the THC level is <LOQ. (LOQ for Δ9-THC was 60.000 mg/unit; LOQ for the Δ8THC was 21.000 mg/unit.
For the CBD analysis, the COA indicates that each unit contains 1016.250 mg of CBD, meaning a % variance of (-)1.625%. Another pass!
cbdMD
cbdMD is one of the more highly respected CBD companies with a variety of products. We had their premium 300mg CBD oil tested—it is broad spectrum. Good news! The COA from Canalysis indicates the this CBD product contains 321.270 mg in 30 mL with a % variance of (-) 7.09%. cbdMD also claims that it is THC-free—and our analysis indicates that this is correct—the THC levels were <LOQ. Another pass!
+PlusCBD
We rated PlusCBD oils as “one of the most experienced and respected American CBD brands.” We tested one of the “Gold” products which undergoes an additional processing step to concentrate the CBD along with other cannabinoids, terpenes and fatty acids.
The COA found 247.260 mg of CBD per unit, with the label claiming 250 mg of CBD. The % variance was (+)1.096%. Another pass! This was well within our acceptable limits
Elixinol
Elixinol produces this full-spectrum oil using supercritical CO2 extraction methods. We tested the 300mg hemp extract and found that our sample contained 305.190 mg, with a % variance of (-)1.73% it passed our accuracy test very well! THC levels were <LOQ.
JustCBD
The last product we tested was JustCBD’s 250 mg of CBD in a 30mL bottle. JustCBD is one of out most highly rated companies and even provides you with nutritional information! (For the record, we did NOT test for calories or total carbohydrates) The 1500 mg CBD is a full spectrum product, so we will also check the THC levels found in the analysis good to go, because they were all <LOQ.
The analysis provided by Canalysis indicated that the sample contained 235.140 mg of CBD leading to a %variance of (+)5.94%. This was a bit higher than some of our other samples, but it passed!
