As cannabis has slowly but surely seen a steady growth of legalization, the conversation around weed has become significantly less taboo. One constant, though, is the ubiquity of CBD. I still remember the days of walking into nearly every coffee shop and being confronted with some sort of CBD addition for lattes, cold brews, and anything in between. Now, there are several brands changing the discourse around CBD and offering some genuinely effective CBD products. If you’re looking for a primer on all things CBD, we’ve got you covered here. In the meantime, we’ve gone ahead and rounded up some of the best CBD gummies, tinctures, joints, and more that you can buy right now.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many active compounds found in the marijuana plant, along with THC, CBG, and others. CBD in particular does not result in the intoxicating high that THC does and, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized industrial hemp, CBD is perfectly legal. At this point, you’ll find CBD in a host of products purporting to offer various health benefits like better sleep, sex drive, pain relief, and more. If you’re interested in a more thorough breakdown of the history and use of CBD, we made an in-depth guide here.
Scientifically, CBD interacts with our Endocannabinoid System, a biological system discovered by scientist Raphael Mechoulam in the early 90s. The Endocannabinoid System has dedicated receptors that manage our well-being, including mood, pain, sleep, and immune functions. So, the use of CBD — or any hemp derivatives — is meant to kickstart the Endocannabinoid System and bring about better homeostasis.
But, not all CBD is made the same. I have heard countless anecdotes from folks who tried a CBD latte or CBD sunscreen and “didn’t feel a thing.” For one, CBD does not trigger the same physical responses that THC does so the “high” will likely be significantly milder. Additionally, the quality of the CBD matters. When shopping, look for brands that have lab-tested, full or broad spectrum hemp/CBD in their products. Organic and sustainable farming practices also lead to a better, more effective CBD.
How to Use CBD
As alluded to earlier, CBD pops up in many forms. CBD is most often linked to anxiety and pain relief though it can have a myriad of benefits. Personally, I use CBD tinctures and gummies to manage chronic headaches. Typically, if I feel a headache coming on rather than reaching for some ibuprofen, I’ll pop a gummy or put a few drops of oil under my tongue. Some users will consume CBD pre-emptively or use it to treat pain, anxiety, nausea, or other symptoms as they come up. Topical creams also occasionally use CBD to treat muscle or joint pain.
But, CBD doesn’t have to be so clinical. In addition to the purported medical benefits, CBD is used as a mood enhancer either for exercise, sex, or just daily use. CBD joints can offer the same relaxing chill that a can of light beer or a glass of rose might. It can take the edge off without the heady high that sometimes comes with THC.
The Best CBD Oil and Tinctures
Rosebud
Rosebud is my go-to for CBD oil. Their original strength tincture is perfect for managing my headaches and packs a solid 24mg of CBD per 1mL dropper. Pop a bit under your tongue, wait a bit, swallow, and the effects should set in soon. Rosebud offers a range of great CBD products including bath soaks and pre-rolled joints. Plus, their soft and lovely branding is excellent. It’s great for pain/anxiety management or it can be used as an addition to foods or drinks.
Plant People
Plant People is another great source for CBD tinctures. They’ve specifically formulated each oil for particular use cases like helping to fall asleep or boost immunity. They’ve even launched a line of mushroom gummies to help support digestion, stress relief, and more. For those interested in CBD tinctures, we’d recommend starting with the Drops+ Mind + Body.
Prismatic Plants
As mentioned above, CBD has a myriad of use cases and there are many brands that have crafted CBD tinctures geared toward specific functions. But, Prismatic Plants has simplified things by packaging two options: Good Day and Good Night. As the names suggest, one is geared towards energizing you through your day and one for helping you settle in for the night. We were drawn to Prismatic Plants thanks to their charming design aesthetic but the organic ingredients and lasting effects have kept us coming back.
NanoCraft
If you’re looking for one single CBD brand to help with sleep, turn to NanoCraft. Their lab-tested, organic CBD and CBN oil is flavored with lavender for relaxation and will help calm you down and keep you asleep. NanoCraft has a range of powders, gummies, rubs, and more but we’d recommend starting out with their Night Time CBD oil.
The Best CBD Gummies and Chocolate
Offfield
Offfield is one of the first brands, to my knowledge, to celebrate and endorse the intersection of cannabis and exercise. Their CBD hydration packs brought the energizing effects of CBD to everyday workouts in a revolutionary way. If you’re just starting out with CBD I’d certainly recommend giving their hydration packs a try. The brand recently just unveiled athletic gummies which are purpose-built to help maximize your workout. I’ve been using them on my daily runs and really enjoy the extra burst of energy.
RYTE
If you’d rather a CBD gummy instead of a tincture to help you fall asleep, turn to RYTE. This CBD brand offers a variety of gummies, tinctures, and balms but we think the Sleep Gummies is a good starting place for new CBD users. The combination of CBD, CBN, and terpenes will help you stay asleep while the elderberry flavor is just downright tasty.
Calivolve
If you’re more of a sweet tooth, we’d suggest trying out Calivolve’s CBD ginger truffles. Each is made for a different use case but they all effectively deliver. And they’re delicious! You can get a sample pack to try a bunch or just go for a single one. They’ve also teamed up with cannabis brand Rosebud on a pure CBD chocolate bar, if you prefer.
Joggy
Like Offfield, Joggy has combined athletics with cannabis to make all-natural CBD products perfect for your next workout. Their CBD tinctures and balm are great options, but we’d recommend giving the gummy Re-Chargies a try. Hibiscus-flavored these are tasty and effective gummies that will bring a sense of calm and relaxation.
The Best CBD Joints and Smokeables
Dad Grass
Dad Grass has become one of my favorite ways to wind down. Since I first gave their CBD pre-rolls a try, they’ve been my go-to for relaxing after a long day or on the weekends. Their stellar branding and tongue-in-cheek stash boxes initially caught my eye but the quality of the product has made me a Dad Grass evangelist. They started with organic hemp joints and have added quality hemp flower and CBD tinctures to their lineup. If you’re looking for a pleasant, mild smoke, though, we recommend checking out the Dad Grass CBD joints.
Cannaflower
Cannaflower offers CBD joints in a range of strains so you can tailor your experience. We’re recommending the Sour Space Candy 5-pack because of its stellar branding and calming effects. Cannaflower is a great option for learning about the various cannabinoids and what effects they might have on the body. Or, if you’re just looking for an easy way to kick back at the end of a long week, try Cannaflower.
Plain Jane
Plain Jane is another great destination for a variety of CBD joint options. With plenty of strains to choose from, Plain Jane is another option for customizing your CBD experience. Plain Jane has opted for simple branding and offers an excellent product, perfect for relaxation, alleviating stress, and boosting your mood.
Tonic
Tonic’s clean aesthetic is reason enough to give them a try. But, knowing the brand offers several excellent CBD products seals the deal. From vape pens, to balms, to tinctures, and more, Tonic is a one-stop shop for your CBD needs. But, for a delightful, organic smoke, we’d recommend checking out Tonic’s Sessions CBD pre-roll joints. Sustainably grown, these are hemp smokes that will make you feel good in more ways than one.
The Best CBD Balms and Rubs
Xula
Xula is a relatively new CBD brand offering a plethora of expertly produced tinctures and balms. Whether you’re looking for pain or stress relief, Xula has you covered. While their CBD oil is great, we’re going to recommend the uff! salve made with organic botanicals and adaptogens to soothe muscle soreness.
Fine Healing Goods
If you’re looking to up your skincare game and get some soothing CBD action, try Fine Healing Goods. Their Nourishing Body Cream hydrates and relaxes joints and muscles. All organic ingredients mean you’ll be doing your body good and caring for their environment.
Dogwood Botanicals
Dogwood Botanicals is more so known for its CBD drops but we’re recommending their face and body cream. If you have sensitive skin, this is a great way to both hydrate and alleviate irritations like sunburn or bug bites. Plus, the addition of CBD can offer a calming, comfortable effect.
Kiskanu
For exercise or athletic soreness, try Kiskanu’s Skin & Muscle Rub. Kiskanu has beautiful branding and offers several excellent products like CBD drops but we’d suggest trying out the Skin & Muscle Rub for topical pain relief. Apply liberally to achy or stiff muscles and joints for soothing relief.
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