Where to Buy CBD

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Where to Buy CBD Oil

With all the recent attention put on CBD, the chemical also known as cannabidiol, you may be wondering where to buy CBD. Luckily, there are several options.

Depending on where you shop, you will likely be met with a diverse number of CBD products such as oils, balms, edibles, teas, and capsules, to name a few. With a little research, knowing where to buy CBD becomes easier and will make purchasing the CBD product of your choice a breeze.

There are three main approaches to buying CBD, each of which will depend on your preference and their accessibility. The three options you can choose from for where to buy CBD are online, at retail stores, and dispensaries. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each of your potential purchasing options, you will have greater knowledge about what–and where–works best for your particular CBD needs.

Online

By default, and rather obviously, the easiest and most common way to purchase CBD of any type is on the internet. The sheer number of online businesses dedicated to CBD products alone can be overwhelming. For that reason, online purchasing is best suited for those who have a baseline of familiarity with CBD.

There are hundreds of online sources for CBD on the internet. Since there are so many options for where to buy CBD online, remember that research is your friend! Before purchasing anything from the internet, especially as it relates to ingestible chemicals like CBD, it is well worth spending the time and effort doing your due diligence in research.

Stick to the websites that have ample information that is backed up by credible sources. The more transparent the company or website is, the better. You’ll want to know exactly what is in their CBD products and why they are a reputable platform to be selling this particular product. Many companies make third-party scientific reports on the quality of their CBD available on their websites.

Another attractive element of purchasing CBD online is the convenience. Rather than wasting time looking for a nearby shop that sells CBD, you can order your products right from the comfort of your couch. In particular, consumer reviews have become a major deciding factor for people considering purchasing a specific product, and that is no different when it comes to CBD.

Buying CBD Oil Online

In essence, online reviews have become the new “word of mouth,” and the opinions of others who have already tested out a product hold extreme importance for the person who’s looking to buy. Once you’ve come upon a company you’re interested in potentially purchasing from, take a look at any reviews left by past customers with a quick Google search.

Take your research a step further and visit the social media platforms of the online CBD store. These platforms are where current and potential customers go to find out more information about the CBD products and to interact with the company at hand. If there is little to no information about a particular online vendor of CBD, it might be safe to say that it isn’t a company worth pursuing and that it’s better to direct your efforts elsewhere and in a more reputable direction.

Retail Stores

Retail shops, especially local ones, are an excellent choice for people who are new to the world of CBD. The type of brick and mortar establishment that you can buy CBD from (or whether you can buy CBD at all) will depend on the area you live in.

Take a look at our comprehensive list to find out if CBD is legal in your state. While the majority of states do allow the purchase and sale of CBD, it’s necessary to check that you aren’t breaking any laws in the process of obtaining your CBD. CBD has the potential to cure many things–but legal woes are not one of them.

When it comes to brick and mortar establishments, better known as retail stores, knowing where to buy CBD makes the search profoundly helpful. After all, you can’t just walk into any old vitamin shop and expect them to have CBD in stock (or not yet anyway). Despite CBD’s growing popularity, it is still far from the point where you can see it right up on the shelves next to the Advil at any given grocery store.

That’s not to say that some grocery stores don’t carry and sell CBD but that too will depend on the store itself and the state in which it operates. Start with your local health-food stores, vitamin shops, and smoke shops. Give each potential option a call first and see if they carry CBD. That way, you’ll save yourself a trip if a particular establishment doesn’t sell it.

Buying CBD Oil at a Health Food Store

One of the most attractive things about buying CBD from a retail store is that there should be at least one employee there who can speak on CBD from an informed position. He or she can assist you in figuring out which CBD product will be best for you, how many milligrams you should take, and which brand will be a good fit.

While you’re chatting, make sure to ask about third-party CBD vendors with which their store holds business. The more transparent the employees are about the store at which they work and the companies they work with, the better the chances are that you’re dealing with a responsible source.

CBD Dispensaries

It should come as no surprise that one of the best places to buy CBD can be from a cannabis dispensary. Dispensaries are cropping up all over the nation and are a reliable, trustworthy, and convenient way to purchase CBD in a completely legal way.

However, the number of cannabis dispensaries available to us right now is limited to certain states that have been on the cannabis bandwagon for quite some time, such as California and Colorado. No matter where you live, it’s worth looking into the nearest cannabis dispensary to you so that you’re aware of all the options available to you.

Despite their lack of availability, dispensaries are arguably the safest way to obtain CBD because they are required by the government to meet certain health standards, to provide background checks, and to operate with a certain degree of professional ethicality.

Keep in mind that in many states, CBD products with a level of THC (the chemical in marijuana that gets you stoned) higher than .03% will require a prescription from a doctor, which is a whole other topic in itself. However, most CBD products contain only trace amounts of THC, and some none at all.

No matter where you decide to purchase your CBD, the most important thing to remember is research. It’s unwise to put any chemical in your body without first gaining an understanding of its possible effects and how it should be taken. It is also wise to talk to your doctor before taking CBD.

Where to Buy CBD Oil at a Dispensary

While online retailers might make it more difficult to have an at-length conversation with a knowledgeable professional, it is one of the most convenient options and has a high variety of products and brands.

Retail stores, which are advantageous in their own right and usually come alongside hands-on customer assistance, are limited at best.

Cannabis dispensaries are also few and far between but offer the buyer the added security of legal, medical and operational standards.  

Sometimes it takes trying all three options of where to buy CBD oil before settling on one that works the best for you. Use your best judgment and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Want some more specific advice? Check out our product reviews and company profiles for in-depth information on the best (and worst) CBD on the market. 

Last modified: December 18, 2019