December 23, 2021

CBD Gummies [The Ultimate Guide]

CBD gummies are a tasty and convenient form of edible CBD. They can be part of a daily CBD regimen for health and wellness. If you’re looking for an enjoyable, pre-measured form of CBD, gummies might be the answer.

What Are CBD Gummies?

CBD gummies are sweet, chewy bites infused with CBD.

Each CBD gummy has a specific dose of CBD, so you always know exactly how much you’re consuming. They come in many fruity flavors, making them a fun way to take your daily dose.

Ingesting CBD in edibles like gummies allows for a slower release because they’re absorbed through the gut — which takes longer than topical or sublingual administration. This makes CBD gummies a go-to choice for managing things like pain, stress, and sleep.

Depending on how they’re made, CBD gummies may or may not be vegan. We’ll get into those details soon. For now, let’s answer one very important question.

Are CBD Gummies Legal?

Yes! As long as they’re made with CBD derived from industrial hemp, they’re legal in all 50 states.

Industrial hemp was made legal through the 2018 Farm Bill. To be considered industrial hemp, the THC content can’t exceed 0.3%.

In states where marijuana is legal, you might come across full-spectrum CBD gummies or cannabis gummies that contain higher amounts of THC. If you live in a marijuana-friendly state and don’t want to ingest THC, check the label before you make your purchase.

You may also come across delta-8-THC gummies. Delta-8-THC, sometimes called delta-8, D8, or delta-8-CBD, is a cannabis compound. It can be made from industrial hemp, but it’s illegal in some states. Check your local laws to find out if it’s permitted in your area.

Now, back to our usual CBD programming...

Need-To-Know CBD Terminology

You won’t always be able to find out if CBD was made with industrial hemp by reading the label. But there is some terminology you can look out for to make sure you’re dealing with federally-legal gummies.

Here are CBD types to look for and the legal status of each:

  • CBD isolate is purely CBD. It’s been processed to remove all THC. It’s legal everywhere in the US.
  • Broad-spectrum CBD is processed just enough to remove excess THC. Broad-spectrum CBD is federally legal.
  • Full-spectrum CBD is the least processed. That means it could have higher concentrations of THC that make it illegal.

If you’re looking to avoid THC, skip the full-spectrum CBD gummies and products just to be on the safe side.

Do CBD Gummies Get You High?

Whether or not gummies will cause a high depends on what they’re made of.

  • CBD isolate gummies contain no THC, so they won’t cause a high.
  • Although broad-spectrum CBD gummies might contain trace amounts of THC, it’s not enough to cause a high. It is, however, enough to make the entourage effect possible. The entourage effect can make you feel euphoric and may even make your CBD more effective.(1)
  • Full-spectrum CBD gummies could cause a high if they have high enough concentrations of THC. They can also usher in the entourage.
  • Honorable not-CBD mention: Delta-8 gummies do cause psychoactive effects. The high is more mellow and predictable than delta-9-THC (regular THC).
  • Marijuana-based gummies with enough THC in them will likely bring on that euphoric feeling.

If you’re looking for the most benefit from your CBD without the high from THC, broad-spectrum gummies are your best bet.

What Do CBD Gummies Do, Anyway?

After you consume CBD gummies, your body gets to work digesting them. That means they get broken down in your gut, and your liver starts processing the CBD. Then your body has access to the goodness in the gummy!

This is different from topical CBD creams and CBD drops taken sublingually (under the tongue), which are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and take effect quickly.

CBD gummies are more of a slow burn, so folks tend to use them in situations where a less acute approach is desired.

No matter how it’s taken, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS runs through your whole body. This gives it the unique potential to benefit the body and mind and help with many health concerns.

“Slow and steady” CBD gummies could be an ideal go-to for daily maintenance of:(2)

  • Insomnia and sleep issues
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Pain management
  • Auto-immune conditions
  • General wellness support

How Are CBD Gummies Made?

The process of making CBD gummies just might be the most fascinating of any CBD product. But we’ll let you decide!

First thing’s first. Before CBD is added to the gummies, it has to be extracted from hemp.

There are several ways to extract CBD. Unfortunately, many can cause the CBD to have an unpleasant taste, which then affects the flavor of your gummies. CO₂ extraction yields a cleaner flavor, which is why it’s our method of choice at Pure Craft. Because nobody likes a bitter gummy!

After extraction, we take things one step further and use nanotechnology to make it easier for your body to absorb.

Now, let’s talk gummies.

If you’ve ever made gummy candies (or gotten lost in a vortex of YouTube videos on the topic), you probably know they call for gelatin, sweetener, and flavoring. This short ingredient list is combined, heated, and poured in molds to cool. The result is chewy, delicious magic!

So, how do gummies get infused with CBD?

We’ll let you in on a little secret: Most CBD brands purchase gummies, then spray them with CBD isolate.

We’re not into shortcuts, so we make our gummies in-house, adding our nano broad-spectrum CBD extract to mix. Once they firm up, they’re packaged and ready to ship to your door.

What About Vegan Gummies With CBD?

Gummies are often made with gelatin, which is an animal-based product. But there are plenty of plant-based alternatives, like citrus pectin.

The process of making conventional, non-vegan gelatin is pretty gruesome, so we’ll spare you the details. What we will say is that animal-derived gelatin can come from questionable, low-quality sources, so we recommend going vegan with all your CBD gummies.

You shouldn’t assume CBD gummies are vegan, so check the label.

The exception is when you’re shopping at Pure Craft CBD. All of our gummies are vegan-friendly. Here’s a quick look at the many vegan gummies we offer.

Nano CBD Infused Vegan Broad-Spectrum Gummies

Meet the #1 CBD gummy on the market! These vegan gummies come in assorted fruit flavors. One gummy and you’ll see why they have a cult following.

Nano CBD + Elderberry Infused Vegan Broad-Spectrum Gummies

Get a dose of immune-boosting elderberry, zinc, and vitamin C with your CBD. They’re bursting with juicy berry flavor.

Nano Delta-8 Infused Vegan Gummies

Made with delta-8-THC, these gummies offer a little more kick than broad-spectrum CBD gummies. You’ll likely feel a mild high, minus the not-so-fun effects of regular THC (like anxiety and paranoia).

Where To Buy CBD Gummies

Like other CBD products, gummies are fairly easy to find in-person and online. Wherever you end up shopping, we suggest choosing a vegan product made from organically-cultivated American hemp.

Your local health food store, hemp shop, pharmacy, and farmers’ market are great places to start looking for CBD gummies IRL. If you’re looking for D8 gummies, you’ll probably have to go to your local dispensary to find ‘em.

Or, you could have gummies on their way to you in a few clicks. Shopping online allows you to do some sleuthing about your products before you lay down the cash. You can be a CB-Detective! Or take yourself on a virtual D8 date.

Where To Buy CBD Gummies Online

If you want the most hassle-free shopping experience possible, virtual is the way to go. CBD companies have web shops stocked with CBD gummies. And some even carry D8 gummies — if that’s more your speed.

When you’re hitting the keyboard to hone in on the best CBD gummies for sale, keep these best practices in mind.

  • Scope out the ingredients to make sure they’re truly vegan. That means no gelatin! While you’re at it, make sure there aren’t any other weird ingredients you wouldn’t want to eat.
  • Go for CBD made from organically-grown domestic hemp to avoid exposure to agricultural chemicals and heavy metals.
  • Check out the reviews to make sure real people are seeing real results.
  • Make sure it’s third-party tested. You know it’s been tested by an independent third-party lab when it has a certificate of analysis (COA).

How To Use CBD Gummies

Using CBD gummies is pretty straightforward. That doesn’t mean they’re 100% straightforward, though.

Let’s address the most common CBD gummy FAQs about dosage, safety, and storage.

How Many CBD Gummies Should I Take?

The absolute first guideline is to consult the packaging. Your CBD gummies should have a handy label with recommended dosing and suggested usage.

That said, it can be incredibly tempting to eat several CBD gummies at once. But — depending on both the CBD gummies you’ve chosen and your system — most folks only need one or two to do the trick.

Exactly how much you need depends on how your body responds to CBD. The best way to find it is to start low and slow. Take one gummy and wait a couple of hours. If you’re not feeling it, take another.

CBD has a minimal risk of causing side-effects, but you can overdo it on gummies if you haven’t acclimated to CBD or aren’t pacing yourself. Dry mouth, drowsiness, diarrhea, and reduced appetite are a signal to discontinue use.

Same rules apply to D8 and THC gummies. Begin with smaller, less frequent doses and adjust course as you learn how your body responds.

Last note: Want to use gummies alongside medications, supplements, or a medical treatment plan? Talk to your doc first to make sure the CBD (or delta-8 or THC) won’t clash with your condition or treatments.

CBD Gummies Storage

Part of what makes gummies so great is their nostalgia. For adults, they harken back to memories of eating gummy bears or cartoon vitamins. Kids will think so too, which is why it’s important to store your CBD gummies and D8 gummies far out of reach of children.

CBD gummies should be stored in a container with a lid that seals tight to keep them fresh. And don’t keep the container where it could be exposed to extreme temperatures, light, or humidity. These environmental factors can degrade the CBD’s potency.

Gimme A CBD Gummy Today

Look no further than CBD gummies for a fun and legal way to take CBD. Each gummy contains a pre-measured dose of CBD that you can chew on when and where you need it, and as part of your daily CBD routine.

Broad-spectrum CBD gummies provide the most benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC. Want the psychoactive effects? Go for delta-8 gummies.

To make sure you’re getting the purest product, look for gummies made with vegan ingredients and organic USA hemp.

Once you have that jar of chewy CBD gems, store it away from kids in a cool, dry place to keep the gummies fresh and effective.

SHOP CBD GUMMIES NOW

References

  1. Anderson, LL, et al. (2021). Cannabis constituents interact at the drug efflux pump BCRP to markedly increase plasma cannabidiolic acid concentrations. Sci Rep. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94212-6
  2. Wilson RD, et al. (2020). Everything you need to know about CBD oil. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221
  3. Fairbairn, JW, et al. (1976). The stability of cannabis and its preparations on storage. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1976.tb04014.x


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