What we say is in the bottle is in the bottle

Read the label.
How many times have you heard that?

Do you read labels?
I do.

Do you understand everything that you read on product labels?
I don’t.

If you’ve ever shopped for a CBD product, you may have had an experience that I call “information overload”. So much information. So many words. So much confusion.

When I experience this, I get frustrated.

Frustrated.
Confused.
Annoyed.

Now what?

I want to make informed decisions.
We all do.

Who do we ask for guidance?
And, how do we know who to trust?
We go to the experts!

Let’s talk to Max Sobol and Steven Walman of Max & Steven’s Premium Hemp Extracts, the ultimate CBD experts, about transparency in labeling, trust and what they mean when they say, “What we say is in the bottle is in the bottle.”

Below is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity.

Q= Linda

A= Max and/or Steven

Q: So, what’s in the bottle? What are the ingredients? Help me understand, please.

A: Simply stated, Cannabidiol (CBD),other naturally occuring cannabinoids and terpenes which come from the flower of the hemp plant, and organic MCT oil.  Even more simply- the active plant compounds and the carrier oil.

Q: Why MCT oil? 

A: We chose MCT oil primarily for its small molecule size which makes it easily absorbed by the body as well as it’s other benefits like it’s long shelf life.

Q: When I read your label, there’s a lot of information to break down. Can you explain the basics?

A: I’m glad you asked. Our label is a laboratory analysis of what’s in the bottle and it’s one of the things that makes Max & Steven’s CBD oil drops truly remarkable.  The label tells you which variety of hemp plant was extracted, the top occurring cannabinoids and terpenes in the batch, an expiration date and has a link to the full lab report via a QR code.

Q: Another question for you. People talk about “properly sourced CBD”, what does that mean?

A: That could mean different things to different people. It’s another way we differentiate ourselves. To us, properly sourced requires a look at the entire supply chain. It starts from where the seeds come from to the soil they are planted in and the nutrients they’re fed while growing and flowering. We examine things like, “Is the grower using methods that help regenerate the environment or help to erode it?” and other environmental considerations. Properly sourced also relates to the processing facility and proper safety protocols through the entire process, seed to bottle to consumer. We are involved in every step of the process.

Q: Wow, you guys are control freaks… in a good way! OK- let’s get to the nitty gritty. What are the top 3 things consumers should look for when buying CBD products?

A: First, research the company. Call them, make sure they are real and have references. Second, use a full spectrum extract and check for a complete 3rd party lab report to prove it. You not only want to see the potency report (that includes cannabinoids and terpenes), you must also see the safety reports that test for heavy metals, pesticides, mold or mildew or other toxins. Third, I’d say be consistent and use CBD Drops every day. Start with small servings and be consistent about using it daily to fortify your endocannabinoid system.

Q: When it comes to things like full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolates, what are the differences and why do you make only full spectrum CBD products?

A: Those are categories of extracts and refer to cannabinoids that have been extracted. On one side you have an isolate which is “isolating” one compound for extraction, in this case CBD. On the other side you have a full spectrum that extracts all available cannabinoids. In the middle you have a broad spectrum which is essentially a full spectrum with the THC cannabinoid removed leaving CBD and the other cannabinoids. We only do the full spectrum because we believe in the value of the entire plant. That is how the plant served humans for 10,000+ years and we do not see a reason to change that.

Q: Why do you go to so much trouble- so much detail- in your labeling?

A: At first glance it can be overwhelming but we feel it is important information and it’s full transparency for the consumer. Typically, hemp companies sell their CBD with labels that resemble dietary supplements if they label it at all. The problem is this isn’t a dietary supplement, it’s a whole plant extract and there isn’t a “recommended daily allowance”. We don’t see any value in perpetuating the confusion. Maybe I should do a facebook live and break down the label details. Would that be helpful?

There we have it, what’s in the bottle and why.

Have more questions? Reach out to us @www.maxandstevens.com