As with many trends, everybody wants to jump onto the CBD wagon. Unfortunately, not everyone touting cannabis-based products has sustainability and ethical practices at heart. It’s usually fairly easy to spot – sustainability is one of those buzzwords that marketers love to throw around, so if they aren’t talking about it, wonder why.
When you’re looking for CBD products, it can be difficult to tell who’s legitimate and who isn’t. The ethical landscape can be tricky to navigate, especially in the information age. We’ve put together this short guide to empower you to think critically about the next CBD wonder product that comes your way.
From Farm to Bottle: Sustainability & Ethical Farming
There is a slow but steady shift in the farming community towards sustainable farming practices. No one is more aware of the effects of climate change and harsh practices on the quality and quantity of what is produced than the farmers themselves. In addition to being good for the Earth, it also makes good financial sense to streamline processes, cut down on unnecessary water usage, and future-proof crop production as much as possible to produce top CBD products for the long term.
Sustainable, ethical farming can be achieved by implementing science-based practices that improve productivity while also minimizing the environmental impact. CBD products lend themselves to sustainable practices – for example, farming hemp uses significantly less water than cotton. Growing cannabis outdoors, under the Jamaican sun rather than under heating lamps, also consumes far less electricity, lowering the carbon footprint.
Globally, the industry remains largely unregulated, leaving it up to individual producers to make their own standards. For our part, we take pride in our stringent quality controls, from third-party laboratory testing to our certification with international standards agencies. When it comes to JACANA products, you can feel confident that the ingredients listed on the label are comprehensive and accurate.
Decoding CBD Claims: Separating Fact from Fiction
There are a lot of claims about what CBD wellness products can achieve – everything from fighting cancer to treating multiple sclerosis. How can you tell what’s true and what’s CBD fake news? Some will say that CBD has absolutely no effects and that it’s just a trend and has no real benefit, but multiple studies are showing that CBD’s active ingredients can have a significant impact.* A far better reaction is to learn how to tell if a medical claim has its basis in scientific fact or sensationalism.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Making bold, sweeping statements rather than addressing specific conditions is also generally a sign that something is amiss. Check if the product or use has FDA approval – especially for severe conditions, like cancer, this is a good barometer. If the report only cites a single study, look at where and how it was conducted, who it was funded by, and the sample size (bigger is always better).
CBD Claims in the Media
It’s generally best to leave health advice to the professionals. If a claim about CBD wellness products is coming from a celebrity or influencer on social media, check it with your doctor before you believe it. Scientists rarely use hyperbolic language, like “revolutionary” or “breakthrough,” to describe their research. And always read the full article to get the information that doesn’t fit in an attention-grabbing headline.
A big red flag to look for is how open and detailed a producer is about their processes and the source of their cannabis. CBD brands that prioritize a quick profit over sustainability and ethical practices will often be intentionally vague about their products’ provenance. If there are no ingredients on the packaging, or if the list does not seem to be complete, it’s a bad sign.
Charting a Sustainable Course With JACANA
At JACANA, we consider sustainability and ethical practices to be at the core of everything we do. We are proudly rooted in Jamaica and we take our social responsibility seriously, working to uplift the communities in which we operate through education, job creation with positive working conditions, and protection of the environment we share. Our farm in the mountains of St. Ann parish is USDA-certified organic, eschewing harmful pesticides.
All of our cannabis and CBD products are tested by third-party laboratories to ensure that we maintain our reputation for quality. Our deeply held values govern everything we do, and we take pride in the trust that we have earned. Browse our products and enjoy your worry-free CBD experience.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.