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The best cannabidiol (CBD) brands rely on third-party testing to verify the purity and quantity of ingredients, use natural ingredients, and provide products for various uses and budgets.

The best CBD brands have a positive reputation, and all their products undergo third-party testing. They also offer a wide range of products and are very clear about dosage and ingredients. We have only included brands that have passed rigorous vetting.

Below, we have highlighted a product from each brand.

Medical News Today has tested some of the products from the brands featured below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.

The following table compares the brands in this article for CBD type, product range, price, and more.

CBD typeProducts available CBD contentPrice range
Joy Organics• full-spectrum
• broad-spectrum
• oils
• softgels
• gummies
• topicals
• bath products
• pet products
• Oils: 15 to 30 mg
• Softgels: 10 to 25 mg
• Gummies: 10 to 30 mg
Topicals: 25 to 1,000 mg
$39.95 to $79.95
CBDistillery• full-spectrum
• isolate
• oils
• capsules
• softgels
• gummies
• topicals
• powders
• pet products
Oils: 15 to 170 mg
Capsules: 30 mg
Gummies: 15 to 30 mg
Topicals: 150 to 1,000 mg
$38 to $260
Lazarus Naturals• full-spectrum
• broad-spectrum
• isolate
• oils
• capsules
• softgels
• gummies
• topicals
• concentrates
• edibles
• pet products
Oils: 25 to 50 mg
Capsules: 25 mg
Softgels: 25 to 200 mg
Topicals: 1,500 to 4,000 mg
$12 to $220
Cornbreadfull-spectrum• oils
• capsules
• gummies
• topicals
• pet products
Oils: 25 to 50 mg
Capsules: 25 mg
Gummies: 25 to 50 mg
Topicals: 25 mg
$34.99 to $69.99
Sunsoilfull-spectrum• oil
• capsules
• softgels
• gummies
• Oils: 20 to 40 mg
Capsules: 20mg
Gummies: 10 mg
$24 to $90
+PlusCBDfull-spectrum• oils
• capsules
• softgels
• gummies
Oils: 20 to 25 mg
Capsules: 15 to 50 mg
Softgels: 25 mg
Gummies: 10 to 25 mg
Topicals: 45 to 1,000 mg
$29.99 to $179.99
Charlotte’s Web• full-spectrum
• broad-spectrum
• oils
• capsules
• gummies
• topicals
• pet products
Oils: 60 mg
Capsules: 25 mg
Gummies: 10 mg
$14.99 to $261.94
Medterra• full-spectrum
• broad-spectrum
• isolate
• oils
• capsules
• gummies
• topicals
• seltzers
• pet products
Oils: 16 to 100 mg
Capsules: 25 to 100 mg
Gummies: 5 to 25 mg
Topicals: 125 to 1,000 mg
$29.99 to $199.99

We selected these CBD products and brands according to criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.

As a part of our vetting process, we consider:

  • the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
  • any third-party certifications
  • the company’s reputation and business practices
  • any lab test results
  • marketing claims
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When looking for a product, a person might consider:

  • Hemp source: Some companies source hemp responsibly. People may wish to consider the environmental effects of a company’s harvesting and manufacturing process. Plus, not all CBD brands use U.S.-grown hemp — instead, they import it from other countries.
  • Speed: Some products may work more quickly than others. How quickly a person would like to feel the effects of their CBD product may influence the type of product they choose.
  • THC content: People who wish to avoid THC should not choose products with full-spectrum CBD.
  • Legality: CBD and THC regulations vary by state, so make sure a product is legal before purchasing it.
  • Dosage: People should only buy products with clear dosage instructions. A person should not buy a CBD product that does not state how much CBD a serving contains.
  • Unsupported health claims: Some CBD brands make health claims regarding their products. Currently, the FDA has only approved one CBD product for medical use. A person should not buy products that claim to cure serious diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, or mental health conditions. Anyone with concerns about their health needs to speak with a doctor.

Scientific data on the safest and most effective ways to use CBD is limited. However, early studies suggest that CBD may help relieve symptoms of conditions such as:

Ingestible products, such as CBD oils, capsules, and gummies, may work better for relaxation and easing stress than topicals. Topicals are typically more suitable for treating minor aches and pains and soothing the skin.

People interested in using CBD should start slowly, using small doses and slowly working up until they find the dose that works for their needs. Buyers should always discuss CBD with a doctor before they try it.

CBD is one of the many cannabinoids present in the Cannabis sativa plant. Another cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a compound that produces the feeling of being “high.” Some Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) plants contain minimal THC.

Research states that CBD is nonintoxicating. According to the authors, its beneficial effects include the reduction of seizures, pain, and inflammation. In addition, a few studies suggest it may:

CBD in products

Products that contain CBD include:

  • cigarettes for smoking or vaping
  • rectal or vaginal suppositories
  • tinctures or sprays to apply under the tongue
  • nasal sprays
  • creams, lotions, and oils
  • edibles, such as capsules and gummies

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not oversee CBD products like other drugs or dietary supplements. As a result, companies may sometimes mislabel or misrepresent their products. For this reason, people need to ensure they do their research and find a quality product that is right for them.

Learn more about how to shop for CBD products.

CBD extract types

Extracts of CBD fall into one of the following categories:

  • Full-spectrum: This comes from the C. sativa plant. It contains essential oils and other compounds, including less than 0.3% THC.
  • Broad-spectrum: This is similar to full-spectrum but is almost THC-free.
  • Isolate: This is the purest form of CBD.

CBD rules and regulations

Legalities concerning CBD are complex. While C. sativa plants containing less than 0.3% THC are no longer a controlled substance under federal law, some states may still prohibit its use.

However, some CBD products do not come from the hemp plant and may contain higher THC levels. These remain illegal in many areas of the United States.

A person can look to the National Conference of State Legislatures for information on CBD regulation in their state.

A small Canadian study indicates that treatment with CBD might have a beneficial effect on pain, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. However, it is inadvisable to assume CBD products are safe and effective.

That said, the FDA notes that CBD does have the potential to cause liver damage and drowsiness, interfere with other medications, and affect fertility.

Safety

The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) lists the following reported side effects of CBD:

Moreover, some animal studies suggest CBD may harm the liver and central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The NCHR also states the dosage of CBD on product labels is sometimes inaccurate, which could add to the potential harm.

The FDA cautions that there is a need for further research into several CBD safety concerns, such as the effects of its long-term use or the dosages that may trigger risks.

Efficacy

Studies show CBD is effective in treating epilepsy, and the FDA has approved it to treat certain seizures. Research has not yet proven CBD’s value for other conditions.

A 2020 review examining clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of CBD found low quality evidence to support its use for anxiety and moderate evidence for its use for psychosis.

The authors of the review also reported that researchers should conduct more extensive clinical trials to confirm the effectiveness of CBD for:

The most reputable CBD brands offer products that are safe to use.

The safety of these products may depend on the company’s quality control processes and commitment to third-party testing. Other contributing factors include the potency of CBD and any additional ingredients that may be allergens for some people.

According to research from 2020, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD may be more effective due to the entourage effect of all the compounds working together in the body.

The entourage effect refers to enhanced effects a person may feel when using a combination of compounds or ingredients as opposed to the compound’s individual effects.

Full-spectrum CBD products tend to be the strongest form available. These products contain CBD, other cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and THC.

No, not all CBD is the same quality. People need to prioritize buying CBD from brands that send their products to third-party labs for testing. The FDA does not regulate CBD products.

Some of the best brands for CBD gummies include Cornbread Hemp, Joy Organics, and CBDistillery. These brands send their products for third-party lab testing, use organic hemp, and offer products in a range of CBD spectrums.

Top cannabidiol (CBD) brands test their products for pesticides and other impurities. They also ensure that the amount of CBD on the label is accurate.

While some studies suggest that CBD may help with various health issues, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved one CBD product to treat seizures.

Due to safety concerns around using CBD products, a person needs to contact a healthcare professional before using any products.

Medical News Today has sole editorial control over this article. The uses that we suggest for these listed products are not based on any of the manufacturers’ health claims.

The information in this article is intended to be general, and it should not be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. MNT encourages people to make treatment decisions with their doctors.

Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.