Why Can’t I Buy CBD On Amazon?
Why Can’t I Buy CBD On Amazon?
In this day and age, whenever you want to purchase something quickly and affordably, you go straight to Amazon. Amazon is one of the world’s largest online retailers, offering customers a way to buy their favorites in a super convenient way. But, with thousands upon thousands of sellers and millions of products listed, CBD products are nowhere to be found.
While this might seem a little strange, the lack of CBD products on Amazon is purely for your safety and the sites. Here, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of consumerism through Amazon and why these types of products seem to be the only thing you can’t buy from this larger-than-life online warehouse.
Amazon’s CBD Prohibition
Since Amazon’s start, the company placed measures to ensure there would be no exchange of illegal products on their site. This includes drugs or substances of the sort, of course. Cannabis and cannabis products are prohibited for obvious reasons, but with hemp-derived CBD products becoming legal not too long ago, many customers assumed this would now be allowed. Nope.
In 2018, the US government legalized the cultivation and sales of the hemp plant and product derivatives, including CBD. However, any hemp-derived CBD product must contain less than 0.3% THC; otherwise, it is technically considered marijuana and is then federally illegal. This small margin for error makes it difficult for larger retailers like Amazon to confidently sell these products.
Unfortunately, with how many companies the site currently partners with, it would be nearly impossible to prove that every product is crafted just as they state they are. This is entirely different for small CBD businesses, as testing product bunches are standardized practice. For a multi-billion-dollar company with more sellers than you can count, this type of regulation would be too good to be true.
If a product was sold with more THC than led on, Amazon would also be to blame. This kind of responsibility isn’t something the company wants on their hands, so they’ve banned CBD products completely. While this might seem a bit inconvenient to you, it really is best for your safety; there are various cases of mislabeled, fraudulent CBD products coming from reputable companies. Going through a third-party seller like Amazon only increases that risk more. Let’s talk about it.
The Emergence of Fraudulent, Mislabeled Products
As we mentioned, the difference between hemp and marijuana products is minimal. Unfortunately, this has led to multiple cases of mislabeled or fraudulent products pretending to follow federal guidelines. When tested, these products ended up having either way more THC than suggested, or that the products weren’t even CBD at all. Scary.
With the possibility of skeevy companies changing their labels to adhere to the law, buying products from a site like Amazon is simply way too dangerous. Again, you’re not buying straight from the company, so it’s tough to get a full picture of the brand’s standards and quality control procedures. You genuinely just wouldn’t know what you were buying, and that’s putting your health directly at risk.
Sadly, even these measures haven’t stopped companies from attempting to sell their CBD products on Amazon. Targeting words like “hemp extract” or “hemp oil,” brands are selling CBD products right under Amazon’s radar. These brands specifically avoid words like CBD so that the website doesn’t detect fraudulent activity. Even if these companies are actually selling CBD products, there’s no way of proving that they’re any good.
The Importance of Third-Party Lab Testing
Reputable CBD companies will go to various lengths to prove the validity and safety of their products. Most brands, like us here at TerVita, subject our products to rigorous third-party lab testing. Third parties go and test these products for the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, microbes, residual solvents, and the levels of cannabinoids present. Doing this ensures that the products are not only high-quality but that they’re safe for consumption. Unfortunately, without the proof of these tests, companies can craft CBD out of anything.
Since Amazon doesn’t allow for any CBD products, the companies who attempt to sell their hemp products do not have to post these test results— if they even have them. Posting these third-party results would prove that these products had CBD, and then they would be subsequently banned from the site. Thus, you just can’t tell what you’re purchasing.
Many states have placed regulations for local dispensaries to test all of their cannabis products to prove safety and purity. This helps to ensure that your CBD products are as natural and beneficial as possible. But with Amazon, this just isn’t the case.
Buying Through Trustworthy Retailers (Like TerVita!)
Whenever you need to purchase CBD products, always do so through trustworthy retailers like TerVita. Brands like ours always take the extra step to test every one of our CBD products to prove our quality standards. With how complex cannabinoids like CBD are, you want to purchase your goods through sources that know what they’re working with. Not every company takes the time to fully understand the hemp plant like TerVita does, and that’s not only sketchy but it’s dangerous.
So, even if you come across a “hemp extract” product on Amazon that piques your interest, don’t fall for it. These brands are working under a fraudulent, unlawful guise, and you simply don’t know what they’re actually selling. Instead, the next time you’re looking for a high-quality, reliable CBD product, turn to TerVita. We can help you find the safest, purest CBD form possible, and with third-party lab-test results to back it all up.