Cannabidiol, or CBD, has exploded in popularity over the last few years thanks to its touted wellness benefits. But enthusiasts are often shocked when they see the price tags on quality CBD products and wonder – why is CBD so expensive?
In this post, we’ll analyze the key factors that make producing and selling CBD costly compared to other supplements. We’ll also look at signs you’re paying a fair price versus getting ripped off.
Contents
It’s Not Actually That Expensive Per Dose
Before getting into the specifics, it’s important to note CBD generally comes in concentrated form. A single 30mL bottle may contain 500mg+ of total CBD content.
Most people find relief with daily doses of just 10-50mg. So a $100 bottle can realistically last 2-3 months with regular use. When looked at cost per day or dose, CBD is very reasonably priced compared to other supplements.
8 Reason Why is CBD So Expensive
There are several legitimate reasons why reputable CBD is priced higher:
Growing Hemp is Harder Than You Think
The first contributor to CBD’s price tag happens long before it hits store shelves. Growing high-quality hemp at an industrial scale is no simple task.
- Farmers face regulatory requirements like destroying plants over 0.3% THC. This requires rigorous monitoring and quality control.
- Manual harvesting is common since hemp is a new crop for many farms without existing equipment.
- Proper drying and storage facilities are critical to prepare crops for production.
These complexity factors mean a lot of labor, oversight, and infrastructure expenses impact the wholesale price of hemp biomass.
Multi-Step Extraction and Distillation
The process of turning raw hemp material into a refined CBD extract adds even more hands-on work and sophisticated equipment requirements.
Common methods include:
- Ethanol extraction: Cheaper but less efficient
- Supercritical CO2 extraction: More expensive but higher purity
Post-extraction, most companies further distill extracts to remove unwanted compounds like THC and isolate the CBD. These additional production steps ultimately decrease yields and increase the per-gram price of the final distillate or isolate.
| Extraction Method | Pricing | Purity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Ethanol | Cheaper | Low |
| Supercritical CO2 | Expensive | High |
Third-Party Testing Isn’t Free
Reputable CBD companies send every batch of product to an independent ISO-certified laboratory to verify:
- Accurate CBD/THC potency
- Absence of pesticides/solvents
- Overall safety and quality
They also make the full certificates of analysis (COAs) readily available for customer review. Rigorous testing provides transparency and assurance you’re getting what you pay for.
Of course, these third-party services come at a significant cost, which gets built into the pricing model.
Distribution and Marketing Hurdles
You probably won’t find CBD at your local grocery or drug store. Despite its legal status, many mainstream retail chains still refuse to carry CBD due to the lingering stigma around cannabis and hemp.
Online platforms like Amazon and Facebook also heavily restrict advertising CBD brands and products. This makes customer acquisition extremely difficult without expensive high-touch marketing campaigns.
Limited distribution and marketing channels prevent CBD companies from reaching economies of scale that would enable lower wholesale and retail price points. Regulatory change in this area would go a long way to making CBD more affordable.
Restrictive Marketing Landscape
CBD advertising faces hurdles getting approved by Facebook, Google, Instagram and other major platforms. This forces brands into smaller markets.
Financial and Regulatory Compliance
CBD brands deal with higher fees, merchant service charges, licensing, and stringent oversight across the supply chain. These expenses add up.
Customer Misconceptions
Many first time buyers don’t realize CBD’s price per mg based on concentrations. A $100 bottle can supply months depending on dose.
Scams and Low Quality Products
Illicit sellers offering fake CBD tap into lack of public knowledge. This compels brands to further validate quality through rigorous testing.
How to Get the Best Bang for Your Buck
Now that you know why quality CBD commands premium pricing, here are some tips for getting the most value:
- Compare concentration: Purchase highest potency tinctures and calculate price per mg of CBD. More concentrated products have lower cost per dose.
- Only buy lab-tested: Without testing, no way to confirm quality and chemical contents. Testing proves the value.
- Watch promos: Reputable brands will offer sales, bundles, and loyalty points around major holidays and events. Sign up for email alerts!
- Talk to sales reps: Chat with customer service about lowest pricing options for products best suited to your needs.
The Bottom Line
CBD’s high retail cost results from farm-to-shelf production challenges, regulatory requirements, distribution hurdles, and mandatory quality control testing. However, comparing concentration levels and buying lab-backed products helps ensure you get full value for your investment.
Still have questions about hemp sourcing, lab tests, or product selection? Our team makes transparency and customer support top priorities. Feel free to reach out below for personalized guidance finding your best CBD match.
FAQS
Why does CBD cost so much?
CBD costs more than other supplements because:
– Hemp is tedious and labor-intensive to farm
– CBD extraction uses complex, expensive equipment
– Third-party lab testing verifies quality and safety
– Distribution is limited without widespread retail adoption
– Marketing faces regulatory restrictions on platforms
So at every stage – farming, production, testing, sales & marketing – extra challenges drive up pricing. But when compared to cost per dose due to high concentrations (500mg+ per bottle), CBD offers good value.
How much should good CBD cost?
Good quality CBD should cost around $0.05 – $0.15 per mg of CBD content. Roughly:
– $15-45 for 300mg bottle
– $30-90 for 600mg bottle
– $45-140 for 1000mg bottle
Reputable brands with organically grown hemp and third-party testing will price in this range. Significantly cheaper products may have quality issues.
Will CBD come down in price?
As hemp farming scales and CBD becomes more mainstream, prices are expected to gradually decline and stabilize. But major drops are unlikely soon given the extensive manual labor involved in growing and producing CBD. Operational efficiencies over time will enable brands to lower pricing.
Is there a downside to taking CBD?
CBD is generally considered extremely safe, especially at typical supplement doses. However, minor downsides can include:
– Lightheadedness at very high doses
– Drug interactions with blood thinners
– Diarrhea or appetite changes
Checking with a doctor before using is wise if taking prescription medications or have underlying conditions. Most people can supplement CBD with no side effects.
