Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, has gained quite a bit of traction in the South African market over the years. The spike in interest has made way for a lot of research on how cannabis oil can be effective as a natural and holistic alternative to pharmaceutical products.
CBD is one of the two main properties you’ll find in marijuana, the other one being tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. CBD provides that therapeutic “chill” effect that we all know marijuana for, while THC provides the psychoactive “high” effect. When separated from its counterpart, CBD has proven itself as quite the heavyweight in the holistic medicinal industry.
So far, there has been great progress in the regulation of CBD for a variety of ailments, and the research is still ongoing. So, there’s more in store for this famous cannabidiol.
The types of CBD you can find on the market is a broad category, so trying to figure out the exact price of CBD oil is a bit tricky. There are different types of cannabis oil for different needs. There are also different brands and dosages to consider, which may become a bit overwhelming at first.
In this article, we’ll be discussing more about how expensive CBD oil is, the different variations it’s available in, and what to look for when buying cannabis oil.
Contents
What are the Benefits of CBD Oil?
We’re all familiar with the concept that smoking weed is a great stress-reliever and mood enhancer. But, there are also a few other magic tricks that this cannabis flower provides us. The best part about cannabis oil is that you can have all the benefits of weed without any of the psychoactive tendencies.
Here are a few ailments that studies have found can be treated when using a little cannabis oil:
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Drug Addiction
- Depression
- Eczema
- Inflammation
- Insomnia
- Muscle and Joint Pain
- Nerve Pain
- Seizures
What Types Of CBD Are There?
CBD comes in many forms and variations, so you have plenty of options to choose from. The fluctuating price of cannabis oil also depends on the type that you go for. Let’s look at what types of CBD are on offer and how you can make them work for you.
CBD Flower
We’ve all heard the saying that to get the most benefits out of a plant; you need to have it raw. Well, the same can be said for the natural CBD flower as it contains the most properties of CBD and offers you the most benefits. Just be sure you’re getting the CBD flower derived from a hemp plant rather than the marijuana plant.
As a result, the most fast-effective way to induce these benefits would be to light a joint, although there are other options.
You could make edibles (which we’ll talk about further down) or try adding the dried, crushed flower into your smoothies or cocktails, or even as herbs in your meal. Purchasing the raw cannabis flower is relatively inexpensive compared to the concentrated cannabis oil, depending on where you buy them and the number of grams.
Capsules
If you’re someone who loves to measure calories and dosages, then this CBD variation is for you. Capsules offer the safety of measurements and routines, so you always know precisely how much CBD you’re ingesting. Capsules are also an easy supplement to remember because you’ll usually take them after every meal.
The capsules are also available in soft gel variations for those who absolutely dread the taste of pills. They’re usually on the expensive side, depending on the number of capsules in the bottle and their recommended dosage.
Edibles
Edibles are one of the most exciting creations that stem from CBD. This is mainly because of the variety of flavours and forms that edibles come in.
There are gummies, chocolates, cookies and brownies, just to name a few. There are also juices, alcohol and caffeinated drinks that come infused with CBD. With edibles, the sky’s the limit, and the only limit is your imagination.
Edibles are a bit more expensive than the raw plant, but they’re also a much safer and more thrilling option to try out. The only downside about edibles is that they have the least CBD properties because of all the other contents that the food has. They’re also the slowest method to induce CBD properties because they first go through your digestive system.
Tinctures
Tinctures are solutions of concentrated CBD extract infused with a carrier oil (like tea tree oil) or alcohol. This variation is mainly ingested orally, where you place the solution under your tongue. The tongue is the most effective way to absorb CBD into your bloodstream because it’s a capillary-rich part of your body. Whether you choose the oil or spray, you can take one to three drops or squirts of this solution about three times a day.
Cannabis oil prices are highly dependent on their CBD potency level and how many milligrams you’re buying. It’s always best to consult a doctor about a recommended dosage level so that you don’t end up spending more than you need.
Topicals
Topicals include CBD creams like rubs, balms, and lotions that are applied directly onto the skin. These CBD-infused topicals are usually for the treatment of muscle and joint pain, chronic nerve pain, or inflammation. Since you’re placing these solutions directly onto the problem area, this allows a fast-effective way to absorb the CBD.
CBD-infused topicals are relatively expensive, although the benefits are pretty rewarding. It’s an all-in-one solution for all your possible skin problems, so it makes sense why it would be on the more expensive side.
Vape Concentrate
Vape enthusiasts can agree that vape concentrate (or vape juice) is one of the most effective ways to absorb CBD into your bloodstream. For avid smokers, vaping is also a convenient means of curbing your nicotine cravings because it gives you the satisfaction of blowing smoke whilst reducing your need to smoke. Which is pretty cool, don’t you think?
Vape concentrate is a relatively inexpensive product because the vape pen alone is quite an expensive purchase. The concentrate is also available in a variety of flavours to try out that are sure to give your vaping experience that exciting edge.
What Influences the Cost of CBD Oil?
CBD oil can be separated into three main categories: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate. These categories determine how many THC properties are still left in the CBD oil concentrate after going through the processing stage.
The trace amounts of THC found in CBD oil has a significant influence on the pricing of the product. The less THC a product has, the less expensive because CBD provides the most health benefits when mixed with THC.
Let’s find out more about these categories and why they’re essential when looking at CBD oil pricing:
Full-spectrum
A full-spectrum CBD product has a wide range of cannabinoids still present in its contents. This simply means the product isn’t a pure form of CBD. Researchers have found that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing because the multiple cannabis components actually increase the health benefits associated with CBD.
Full-spectrum products also contain trace amounts of THC that’ll roughly add up to about 0.3%. This percentage isn’t enough to get you high, but there is still some nervousness about knowing it’s there.
Broad-spectrum
A broad-spectrum CBD product is similar to a full-spectrum product in that it also carries multiple cannabinoids in its contents. These cannabinoids are very effective in increasing the effects of CBD in the bloodstream.
The difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products is that there are little to no trace amounts of THC in a broad spectrum product. This makes a broad-spectrum product the middle ground between full-spectrum and isolate CBD products.
Isolate
An isolate CBD product is the purest form of CBD. There are no other cannabinoids present in its contents, and it also has no trace amounts of THC. An isolate product is the most refined of all three products and relatively the safest to use.
This product is perfect for CBD beginners who are keen on experimenting with the benefits of CBD. Because of its rigorous processing stage, isolated products also have no recognisable taste or odour, which could be either good or bad, depending on the person.
What Other Factors Influence The Price Of CBD?
Another factor that significantly influences the cannabis oil price is the potency level. The potency level in a CBD product affects how effective the CBD properties will be once they absorb into your bloodstream.
Naturally, the higher the potency, the more benefits you gain from the product and vice versa. The more benefits you gain from the product because of its potency level, the more expensive it’s likely to be.
Three potency levels measure a cost-efficient CBD product:
Low-potency
A low-potency CBD product is around 0 – 300 milligrams.
Mid-potency
A mid-potency CBD product is placed at 300 – 600 milligrams.
High-potency
A high-potency CBD product would be considered anything higher than 600 milligrams.
It’s always best to speak to a medical practitioner about a recommended CBD potency based on your individual needs. Our bodies react differently to substances, so what might be potent for you might not necessarily be potent for another. This is why you need to consult with a professional on what your body can handle before you make a purchase solely based on the pricing method.
How Much Does CBD Oil Cost?
The cost of cannabis oil can be estimated by checking any of the above factors we’ve mentioned on your product label. A few more factors that affect the pricing of CBD is the product brand, if the brand is certified for quality checks, and if the product is a prescription or over the counter brand.
One other crucial factor that affects CBD pricing is bioavailability, which measures the potency of a CBD product versus how quickly and effectively the CBD enters your bloodstream. The quicker a CBD product absorbs into your bloodstream; the more expensive the product will be and vice versa. You’re welcome to scroll back to the types of CBD section where we’ve discussed this topic in a bit more detail.
Here are a few estimates of the average cost of CBD oil:
- Cannabis Flower – estimated price is around R150 – R200 per gram.
- Capsules – estimated price is around R1 – R3 per milligram.
- Edibles – estimated price is around R2 – R4 per milligram.
- Tinctures – estimated starting price is around R295 for 15 milligrams.
- Topicals – estimated price is around R5 – R12 per milligram.
- Vape Concentrate – estimated price is around R1 – R5 per milligram.
Final Words on Cannabis Oil Cost
The rising fascination around CBD products in South Africa is an excellent step in the right direction. However, it does awaken the need to study your CBD product in great detail. As much as many people deny this notion, price and quality do go together. Yes, there are many cost-effective CBD oils out there, but it’s essential to note that not all CBD oils are made equal.
If you’re a beginner enthusiast, there’s no shame in taking your time to compare prices and research individual brands. Experiment as much and as often as you can with the different variations of CBD to see what works for you. We’ve seen some of the factors that influence the price of CBD; now it’s your turn to decide what ‘expensive’ means to you.
Cannabis oil is a wonderful addition to have in your home. It provides you with a natural alternative to all these medications that we’re often dreading to take for various reasons. No one likes having to take pills when they absolutely don’t need to, so there’s peace of mind in knowing that you have options.
It may take a little more out of your pocket, but the rewards that CBD oil offers you are undeniable.
