There's no denying that CBD is making waves in the health related retail sector. And it's not surprising once you learn that CBD (short for Cannabidiol) has been anecdotally shown to deliver a range of impressive benefits, including pain relief, and the potential to reduce symptoms of acne, anxiety and depression. However, before you begin your journey as a retailer of CBD products, it's essential that you take the time and make sure you choose the right stock.
Due Diligence Is A Must
There are certain legal requirements in the UK that must be adhered to when dealing with the retail of CBD products. The Misuse Of Drugs Act (MODA) does not treat hemp differently to cannabis, marijuana or other Class C drugs. This means that carrying out a thorough due diligence process is essential for anyone planning to sell CBD products to avoid falling foul of the law.
First of all, it's essential that any CBD you buy is derived from hemp and contains no more than 1mg of THC regardless of the size of the container. Both cannabis oil and CBD Flower are currently illegal in the UK, so be sure that you stock only specified CBD products.
In the UK, CBD products may be marketed and sold only as a food supplement or a cosmetic treatment, and not for medicinal purposes. And whilst it is legal to sell CBD products which have been grown and processed abroad, these must not contain any THC or CBN as these are classed as controlled substances. As of the 31st March this year, any food products that contain CBD must also be linked to a validated Novel Food application to the Food Standards Agency.
The Checklist For New CBD Retailers
Once you have an awareness of the legal side of CBD retailing, it's time to start looking for a CBD supplier. It's important to choose the best quality stock, in order to both stay on the right side of the law and to give your customers the best products available, so make sure you complete the following checklist.
1: Check The Supplier's Track Record
Whilst many brand new CBD suppliers will undoubtedly provide excellent quality products, as a retailer new to the sector, it makes sense to choose one which is already tried and tested. A supplier with a great track record for making sales and delivering a well-received product is a smart choice, especially when you are just starting out.
2: Check The Growing Process
Check that your supplier is able to offer only the highest quality of hemp-derived CBD. This means ensuring that it has been grown under organic conditions, without the use of pesticides, which can prove harmful to your customers.
3: Follow The Science
Choose a brand that takes a scientific approach to ensure you get the best quality products for your customers. A supplier which has invested time and resources in focusing on factors such as absorption rates, interactions with existing bodily chemicals and in creating the best formulations is likely to be a wise choice in a field where there is still much to be discovered.
4: Check That Products Have Been Third-Party Tested
Making sure that you only buy stock that has been subjected to rigorous third-party testing is important to protect both your business and your customers. Ask to see the lab reports- after all, this is the only way to truly know what you are buying. As well as checking for pesticides or other harmful content, these tests should also help you to establish whether a brand is truly able to deliver on its claims for characteristics such as absorption. A reputable supplier will be happy to share this information - in fact, some wise retailers even ask for batch-specific independent testing to ensure quality is upheld.
5: Visit Your Supplier
Taking the time to visit the supplier can be extremely helpful for anyone wanting to decide if they are the right choice. Whether it's the site where the hemp is grown, or the manufacturing site, going to visit will give you a vital insight into the supplier's ethos and their approach to conducting business. A poorly run site or one which shows little attention to upholding quality control will not make a good choice for your business.
6: Try It Yourself
If you have any prior experience of CBD products, then it is certainly important that you try before you buy. Check for the smell, taste and appearance, as well as noting any side effects. As with all CBD products, however, you should thoroughly examine them as you would any other stock. Is the packaging good quality? How does it feel to apply? Compare similar products and choose the brand which comes out on top. Try to find a unique option where possible - being able to offer your customers a fresh new flavour of CBD sweets or an innovative new delivery method can give you an edge over the competition.
