Pharmaceutical-grade CBD is a cannabidiol product that meets strict standards for manufacturing, purity, and dosage. Unlike the everyday CBD products you find at a local store, pharmaceutical-grade CBD passed rigorous tests, ensuring its safety and effectiveness. It’s so pure and potent that it’s often used in clinical research and medical treatments.

The therapeutic attraction of CBD to consumers has triggered a niche market poised to be valued at USD 2969.1 Million by 2031. If you haven’t jumped the gun on entering the pharmaceutical-grade CBD business yet, think twice. 

This blog further supports the idea that incorporating pharmaceutical-grade CBD into your brand or dispensary can be an asset to your business. Learn more about the advantages of pharmaceutical-grade CBD and the considerations of selling one. 

  • Pharmaceutical-grade CBD is the highest quality standard available in the market. It is offered in various forms, such as gummies, tinctures, topicals, and concentrates. 
  • Medical-grade CBD incentivizes store owners because of its unparalleled quality, well-documented efficacy, market demand, and other merits. 
  • Vetting brands, knowing your state’s unique laws, and refining your marketing strategy to avoid unproven health claims are some things you need to consider as a responsible CBD store owner. 

What is Pharmaceutical-Grade CBD?

CBD chemical formula beside a tincture

Pharmaceutical-grade CBD (cannabidiol), also known as medical-grade CBD, is the highest-quality form of CBD you can buy in the market. It’s a CBD extract that meets strict standards set by health agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO GMP), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) CFR 210/211, and ICHQ7. 

Basically, it’s the good stuff. It’s the kind you want if you’re looking for consistent benefits with up to 99% pure CBD. Because it doesn’t mix with other compounds much, you’re getting a product that’s all about delivering the CBD with minimal extras. This also means that medical-grade CBD is non-psychoactive.

Producing pharmaceutical-grade CBD is a time-consuming and expensive process. To be classified as “pharmaceutical-grade,” the extract must undergo a thorough validation process, which can take years to complete. However, it’s advantageous for store owners who can easily add products like pharmaceutical-grade CBD oil to their inventory because of the available brands that supply them. 

Going for pharmaceutical-grade CBD is a choice for quality over quantity.

Advantages of Pharmaceutical-Grade CBD

A chemist checking test tubes containing pharmaceutical-grade CBD

Discover the benefits of adding pharmaceutical-grade CBD to your stores and brand lines. From increased product quality and offering customers a trusted option, pharmaceutical-grade CBD elevates your brand name and customer experience. 

1. High Quality and Safety Standards

With pharmaceutical-grade CBD, you’re offering customers unparalleled CBD standards. It guarantees that your products are free from pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and other contaminants that may tamper with CBD’s quality. This is also a crucial way of building trust between customers and you. 

2. Well-Documented Efficacy

CBD’s edge among cannabis compounds is the wealth of studies exploring its effects. As early as 2023, 202 ongoing or completed tests have been documented, all exploring CBD’s role in diverse disorders. Highlighting this advantage attracts consumers with other purposes besides recreational use. 

3. Wide Range of Applications 

Contrary to popular belief, medical-grade CBD isn’t just available in tinctures and softgels. It can also be incorporated into several product types, such as topicals, edibles, and beverages. Medical-grade CBD’s flexibility lets you cater to different consumer needs, expanding their options. 

  • freeze roll on

    CBD Hemp Freeze Roll-On

    4. Regulatory Compliance

    Pharmaceutical-grade CBD has one of the highest compliance in the cannabis industry. This feature adds to your peace of mind when ensuring that what you’re selling is legally compliant at the federal and state levels. 

    5. Market Demand and Scalability

    The increasing demand and scalability of medical-grade CBD is the result of collective consumer awareness and shifting perception of CBD’s benefits. Apart from its good concentration content in the federally legal hemp plants, CBD is versatile enough to be incorporated into other industries like cosmetics and personal care. 

    6. Customer Loyalty and Retention

    Customers are relatively easy to retain. You just need to offer high-quality and effective products at low cost. Satisfied customers are more likely to repurchase, especially if they had a positive overall purchasing experience. Medical-grade CBD can effectively achieve this.

    7. Competitive Advantage

    Making CBD extract “pharmaceutical-grade” is especially advantageous for brands looking to differentiate themselves and appear high-end compared to other cannabis brands. It may be a challenging process, but it will position your brand as a leader in the space once successful. 

    Pharmaceutical-Grade CBD Vs. Regular CBD

    A collection of CBD products in one frame

    Pharmaceutical-grade and regular CBD products are different; understanding the difference is crucial. 

    Purity

    Pharmaceutical-grade CBD meets strict standards. This means it’s pure and exactly what it claims to be on the label. Other CBD products might not be as pure or accurately labeled. Sometimes, what’s on the label doesn’t match the true content. 

    Pharmaceutical-grade CBD is tested rigorously to ensure high quality and free from harmful substances. Regular CBD products vary more in quality and purity, making it harder to know exactly what you’re getting. 

    Consistency

    Medical-grade CBD is designed to offer consistent results. A consistent percentage of CBD per batch ensures reliable dosing. Meanwhile, with regular CBD, variability in CBD concentration is common. 

    Regulatory Compliance and Quality Control 

    Pharmaceutical-grade CBD undergoes meticulous testing standards under GMP-certified facilities with strict regulatory standards by the FDA (for America) and EMA (for European countries). On the other hand, regular CBD’s quality control varies widely among manufacturers. Not all regular CBD products have to meet pharmaceutical standards. 

    Hemp Source & Extraction Method

    Medical-grade CBD strictly adheres to US-grown organic hemp, using only advanced clean technology like CO₂ extraction. 

    Regular CBD hemp sources can vary from organic to inorganic. The extraction methods can stray from CO₂ extraction and use ethanol and other solvent-based extractions instead.

    Applications & Product Range

    Medical-grade CBD is prevalent in clinical and scientific settings. Conversely, regular CBD is widely available almost anywhere, including recreational ones, because of its potential effect to get you high.

    It’s important to note that despite its primarily clinical use, medical-grade CBD can still be infused into products such as tinctures, edibles, inhalables, and topicals.

    Cost

    Pharmaceutical-grade CBD is understandably pricey due to the higher production cost required. In reverse, regular CBD is more affordable because of the unlimited choices of hemp extraction processes to choose from. 

    Case Studies That Have Used Pharmaceutical-Grade CBD for Health Research

    Pharmaceutical-grade CBD is a game changer in the world of wellness. It’s held to higher standards, which means it’s purer, safer, and more potent. That’s why it’s a famous formula for research studies that need a CBD extract with uncompromised purity. 

    Below is a compilation of studies that have utilized medical-grade CBD for research purposes to investigate its promising effects on specific conditions.

    TopicDetail Result
    2023: Effectiveness of Pharmaceutical-grade CBD in Mastocytosis-Associated Pain This study aims to observe the effects of pharmaceutical-grade CBD on mastocytosis-associated pain. Researchers observed a significant reduction in the symptoms. However, the study underlines the need for controlled trials to confirm the results further. 
    2020: Epidiolex (Cannabidiol) in EpilepsyOne of the most documented studies of medical-grade CBD is on epilepsy, specifically the Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The clinical studies conducted on the subject led to the approval of pharmaceutical-grade CBD or Epidiolex for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. 
    2024: The Role of Cannabidiol in Liver Disease: A Systemic ReviewThis review highlights the wealth of data connecting pharmaceutical-grade CBD to liver diseases. 
    There are mixed reviews on the role of CBD across types of liver diseases. The study opens several unanswered questions that warrant further investigation. 
    2022: A systematic review in using cannabinoids for the symptoms of neurocognitive disordersThe review aims to determine the role and safety of medical-grade CBD for the symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorders.The scientific paper found that only a limited number of studies support CBD and other cannabinoids in this matter. However, the researchers found them to be good resources for physicians. 

    Disclaimer: This part of the blog doesn’t, in any way, promote pharmaceutical-grade CBD as a way to treat any type of medical condition. 

    Things to Consider in Offering Pharmaceutical-Grade CBD

    A researcher weighing CBD-infused buds or hemp flower

    Several important factors need to be considered when selling pharmaceutical-grade CBD as a dispensary owner. These range from sourcing from legitimate suppliers to educating customers on proper dosing. All of these aim to enhance the general positive customer experience. Here’s what to consider:

    Sourcing from Reputable Brands 

    Unfortunately, no list indicates reputable CBD brands in the US. It’s your job to vet a company for its credibility. Here are the checkboxes to tick:

    • FDA-approved if meant for medical use
    • Adheres to the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
    • Certificate of Analysis for purity and potency testing
    • Sourced from US-grown, organic hemp
    • Is transparent about their extraction methods
    • Labeling is on point, complete with precautions and dosing guidelines
    • Packaging includes a child-resistant functionality
    • Past litigations
    • License to sell or operate

    Check What You’re Agreeing to Sell

    Not all products labeled as “pharmaceutical-grade CBD” are truly pharmaceutical-grade. Additionally, not all forms of authentic pharmaceutical-grade CBD can be legally sold. You’re always facing these kinds of risks when partnering with a supplier. So, It’s always essential to verify the following:

    • Is CBD extracted entirely from hemp?
    • Whether CBD has been added to food or supplements? (the FDA may be more aggressive in enforcing their rules about it)
    • Is the CBD product promoted as a type of medical treatment? (legally high-risk)

    Educate Customers on Pharmaceutical-grade CBD

    Educating your customers about medical-grade CBD is crucial, whether through your website or posters inside your store. They need to understand the risks and benefits of using CBD and the proper dosing, things to avoid, storage, and other important aspects of CBD consumption and application.

    Research About Your State’s Stance on Selling CBD

    Hemp-derived CBD items with less than 0.3% Delta 9 are legal at the federal level because of the 2018 Farm Bill. However, states are allowed to set their own regulations regarding cannabis, hemp, and cannabinoids, which may or may not align with the Farm Bill. 

    State laws on CBD can differ significantly, so it’s crucial to know your local laws, especially regarding regular or pharmaceutical-grade CBD. For example, states like New York are cracking down on stores offering CDB as supplements. 

    Your research will tell you whether it’s legal to sell CBD in that area or what additional applications you’re required to accomplish to be able to sell pharmaceutical CBD legally.

    Tread Carefully About Health Claims 

    In educating your audience about CBD, do not mention any direct or indirect claims that it can treat certain medical conditions. Edit this out in your blogs, packaging, posters, and other marketing materials to avoid friction with the FDA. 

    The FDA has always been clear about going after companies, stores, and websites that make unproven health claims about CBD, even pharmaceutical-grade ones. To stay compliant, focus on user guides instead, such as “how-to” blogs. 

    Prevent Minors From Accessing CBD by Implementing an Age Restriction

    Some states have not specified the age limit for accessing hemp products like CBD. This means that minors may candidly enter your store. However, this should not be a problem as you can independently enforce an age restriction policy in your store. As a standard practice, dispensaries usually only serve individuals who are 21 or older. 

    Market Pharmaceutical-Grade CBD Responsibly in Social Media

    In addition to the laws surrounding the commercial movement of pharmaceutical-grade CBD, marketing platforms like social media sites have their own ecosystem of rules. For example, Meta, which owns big sites like Facebook and Instagram, has restricted cannabis advertising but has only placed limitations on hemp products with less than 0.3% THC, like CBD. 

    Avoid wasting your time on campaigns that won’t be posted in a social media app by reading the fine print on posting policies beforehand. That said, there are social networks online designed to cater to product promotions and connect with like-minded people in the industry. 

    🔎 Dig Deep
    Learn expert social media marketing strategies and tips in a space where advertising and posting content about cannabis and hemp products are limited. 

    Final Thoughts: Where to Find Trusted Sources of Pharmaceutical-Grade CBD

    Finding trusted sources of pharmaceutical-grade CBD isn’t as hard as it might seem. You can always find trustworthy wholesale suppliers by prioritizing CBD brands with a Certificate of Analysis, clear labeling, good customer ratings, and transparent manufacturing processes. 

    Find the highest-quality CBD in The Hemp Doctor Wholesale’s CBD gummies, topicals, concentrates, tinctures, and flowers. Our growing line of 100% hemp-derived organic CBD products results from our fully controlled process, from organic farming to our proprietary nano-emulsion technology. 

    Don’t miss us because you just dismissed. Partner with us today!

    FAQs

    Is there a pharmaceutical-grade CBD?

    Yes. Simply type the keyword “pharmaceutical-grade CBD,” and you’ll find several companies offering medical-grade CBD at varying prices and often in tincture form.

    What is medical grade CBD?

    Synonymous with pharmaceutical-grade CBD, medical-grade CBD is produced under strict manufacturing processes to meet a specific standard, making it suitable for clinical use.

    What is the only FDA-approved CBD product?

    So far, the only FDA-approved CBD prescription proven to treat severe types of Epilepsy is Epidiolex. 

    Is CBD considered a pharmaceutical?

    Not all CBD is considered pharmaceutical. Pharmaceutical-grade CBD attains the highest standard of purity, dosing precision, GMP, stability, regulatory compliance, and suitability for clinical trials. 

    What is the difference between industrial and pharmaceutical-grade CBD?

    Industrial hemp may contain low levels of THC, whereas most pharmaceutical-grade CBD are THC-free and contain only high concentrations of CBD.