What's So Important About CBD Lab Sheets?

Flashback to science class: It's time to analyze lab results! Not to worry, this is a more exciting version, learning all about what's really inside your CBD products. Or maybe more importantly, what's not inside them.

Lab analysis certificates are a cornerstone of the fast-growing CBD industry. Here's why: The U.S. government legalized hemp-derived cannabidiol (or CBD) across America with the 2018 Farm Bill. But it has yet to implement laws, regulations, or even consistent guidelines to ensure that products labeled as CBD are the real deal.

So, if you've heard that the CBD industry is like the "wild west"–where anything goes because no agency is verifying the goods–that's pretty accurate.

But there is good news since all it takes is a little bit of research to see for yourself if your CBD manufacturer is selling you reliable products that are truthfully labeled. And it's all thanks to CBD lab analysis certificates.

At EVO3 Oils, analysis certificates from a "third-party lab" (i.e., one that operates independently) are posted online for each of its products. Better still, each batch has its own analysis, with testing dates reported, along with a sample name, type, batch ID number, and "customer"–in this case, EVO3.

That level of transparency may not exist for some CBD makers and retailers, but for EVO3, it's vital.

"We have 15 different CBD products and we test every single batch," says EVO3 Executive Vice President and Master Cannabinologer Cristina Madruga. "We make sure that we test everything, and we let people know that it's safe and it is what we say it is."

There are, however, four key safety findings to look for every time: pesticides, microbial impurities, heavy metals, residual solvents.

Each of those four categories will list specific substances ("analytes") being measured. And though precise data usually is included, make sure the batch summary shows that they "pass" an acceptable level. If any "fail," that's a big red flag.

"You want to make sure all of these things are being tested for, to be sure that there aren't pesticides, microbes, heavy metals, or solvents in your CBD oil – because those are unsafe for you to be ingesting," says Madruga. "If one of those is missing, it doesn't necessarily mean that they failed a test. But if it passed and shows a date, it's peace of mind to know that you're taking something safe and healthy to put inside your body."

Lab analysis certificates also show details that are unique to CBD but are unrelated to safety, such as the terpene makeup of each batch. Because EVO3 uses a custom terpene blend to restore what's lost during the CBD-extraction process, the company doesn't typically analyze terpenoid content. (Read more here about EVO3 and terpenes.)

But for those more familiar with cannabinoids, it may be interesting to see which are measurable in EVO3 products. For example, a comparison of full-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum oils will show that the former contains trace THC (the psychoactive cannabis molecules), while the latter shows zero THC.

Other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and CBC are sometimes measured in CBD products, but they're excluded from EVO3's lab analyses. Because while hemp has scores of different cannabinoids in it, "such trace amounts of those rare cannabinoids won't even show up on a lab test," says Madruga.

If you do get familiar with lab analysis certificates, you may develop a sense of legitimacy of your findings. Madruga suggests minding whether a laboratory is accredited and licensed, with their own particulars spelled out on each sheet. And don't be afraid to call the lab directly and share a batch number to confirm results.

Still, the bottom line is to make sure that you're spending money on genuine, high-quality CBD products.

"You want to look for that certificate of analysis from a company that cares enough about their product to test every single batch individually," says Madruga. "There's a lot of care and money being spent on that. We want you to know that we're delivering a safe, premium CBD product. EVO3 is not the most expensive on the market, but you can trust the safety standards we've got and rely on our products."

The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products and the testimonials made have not been confirmed by FDA- approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. You must be 18 years or older to purchase EVO3 CBD Oils products.