Since it became legal in Switzerland, cannabidiol has never been so much in the news. Many stores have appeared and retailers have multiplied.
One might think that this is a good thing, but it also poses a major problem: where to buy quality cannabidiol, when anyone can offer it for sale? That's what we'll look at in this article.
We will present you the main issues to buy the right CBD product for you. We will also share with you the approach of Naturalpes, an innovative Swiss company that wanted to distinguish itself and passed the ISO 9001: 2015 certification. This choice confirms the special attention given to the physical control of products and the management of quality and management processes.
What is cannabidiol and what are its effects?
As cannabidiol (CBD) becomes increasingly popular around the world, many people are starting to use it in different forms.
CBD oil, sometimes called cannabis oil or hemp oil, is one of the leading products in this growing market. It is made by extracting CBD from the flowers, stems and leaves of the cannabis plant. The resulting extract is then blended with a carrier oil to make it edible.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of a hundred or so cannabinoids among the nearly 500 known components of cannabis to date. It is a molecule that is currently attracting a great deal of interest, as it is thought to have numerous effects: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipsychotic and others.
CBD is known to ease anxiety, relieve chronic pain and boost the immune system. Scientists believe it may also help combat the symptoms and side effects of some serious diseases - studies on this are still ongoing.
What does the law say about the sale of cannabis in Switzerland?
As you may have noticed, many shops are developing in Switzerland offering "legal cannabis". In principle, cannabis is a plant that is forbidden to be marketed in Switzerland, so what does the Swiss law actually say on the subject?
Various products containing CBD (cannabidiol) have been put on the market in Switzerland for a few years now, and more particularly since the summer of 2016.
The production and sale of cannabis is regulated in Switzerland, especially the THC content which is psychotropic. Unlike THC, which is another cannabis derivative, CBD is not intoxicating and has no psychotropic effect. In Switzerland, cannabis products are not illegal according to the Federal Law on Narcotics (LStup) if they contain less than 1% THC, a limit set in 2011 to separate illegal cannabis from other hemp products.
It is therefore perfectly legal to buy a cannabidiol product in Switzerland, as long as it meets Swiss standards. Moreover, the state carefully regulates the market since each product is subject to approval by one of the federal offices, such as agriculture, public health, or security.
It should be noted that this legislation changes rapidly depending on the product category. In addition to the federal regulations (LStup), Naturalpes is responsible for regulatory monitoring as part of its ISO 9001:2015 certification, which means that all laws, directives, obligations and risks are managed internally on a daily basis.
The traceability of the products is guaranteed and laboratory controls are carried out as foreseen in the procedures of the quality system for a certified company.
How to recognize a quality CBD product?
- The first thing to look for when choosing a quality CBD product is its origin. Check the origin of the plants with which they are made. They should be industrial hemp plants that are grown according to well-defined standards. It is highly recommended that you choose CBD products that include natural plants, without pesticides or other chemical substances that alter their quality (which can sometimes even be harmful to your health).
- The method of extraction of the cannabidiol comes into play. This is one of the major criteria in the selection of quality CBD products. There are several ways of extracting cannabidiol, and they are all different. The cold extraction technique preserves the cannabinoids by separating them from the CO2. This technique results in high quality CBD products with high purity and no chemical residues.
- The transparency of the brand towards its products is an essential element. A seller who remains discreet about the origin of his products is never very reassuring. Before buying, take the time to discover the brand, to find out about the composition of the products, the origin of the plants, the method of extraction of the cannabinoids used, the type of oil (Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum or isolate) as well as the quantity of CBD used.
- Take a look at the prices of the oils sold! If the price is too low or unaffordable, it may be a sign of poor quality. Quality CBD products, without being overpriced, are more expensive than mediocre oils. The cost of extracting CBD, but also the way in which the hemp plants are cultivated, influence the price of the products.
How to get quality cannabidiol?
It is possible to buy cannabidiol online. E-commerce sites offer an incredible variety of products. Some of the most popular products are: CBD oils, CBD flowers, CBD cosmetics, CBD accessories, tea and herbal teas, CBD for pets and much more.
Thanks to the evolution of CBD sales in Switzerland, you can also buy quality products in physical shops.
The cannabidiol market has become really organised and structured. There are now a large number of services in Switzerland where quality is present.
Switzerland is well known in the CBD industry as it has some of the best producers and manufacturers in Europe and the world.
CBD shop: comparison CBD On-line and CBD Shop
With the emergence of numerous online stores, producers, wholesalers and CBD shops, it's become difficult to find your way around all the possibilities.
The next question is legitimate: which sales channel should be preferred? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
The benefits of buying CBD On-line
Buying CBD online gives you less stress. You choose the product that suits you, you will have plenty of time to familiarise yourself with CBD products and compare features, without being rushed by the next customer.
Buying CBD online also saves you hours in transport or traffic jams to get to a physical shop, especially if it is located far away from your home. You also don't have to worry about opening hours, holidays and the like, which are the main drawbacks of physical shops.
Online orders can be placed at any time of the day, night and throughout the week, including Sundays. Delivery is relatively fast, between 24 and 48 hours, in a neutral, recycled and recyclable package.
In case of questions or hesitation about a product, the e-commerce site offers an online customer service. They are available 24 hours a day and will respond to you within 12 hours. This way, you benefit from the expertise, experience and sound advice of a specialised company.
Some sites go even further by offering online chat services (you speak directly with an advisor) from your sofa, during your online purchases. They will answer your every request or question and advise you if you are unsure of which product to buy.
Promotions and flash sales also allow you to get products for less than you would normally pay, as well as immediate discounts on the entire online shop offered by certain brands for special occasions.
The disadvantages of buying CBD On-line
It is important to choose your online CBD shop carefully. There are many players on the market, more or less honest. Today there are more and more players on the CBD market, so beware of scams or unscrupulous sites.
Look at the reviews published on the brand and the products sold, contact customer service, ask questions about the products (origin, composition, analysis ...), demand organic and eco-responsible products, check that payment by credit card is available and secure. At Naturalpes, we collect and share our customers' opinions thanks to the Trustpilot which allows us to authenticate the veracity of comments and customer feedback. You can read the various user reviews to help you make your choice and to give you an idea of the quality of the service and products.
The main drawback of buying CBD online is the impossibility to check the product yourself before placing the order. Although you are given information about the products, it may not reflect reality.
As a result, there is a greater chance of buying a poor quality product online than in a shop.
In addition, there may be delays in orders. As with any online shop, the processing of orders is quite complex. This can lead to delays in deliveries, sometimes independently of the merchant site. This point should be taken into account.
The benefits of buying CBD in a shop
Many CBD shops are constantly opening their doors. Choosing a physical shop to buy CBD in Switzerland or elsewhere is advantageous in several ways. This option gives you the opportunity to test the quality of the product. If you want to buy CBD flowers, for example, you can get an idea of their characteristics such as smell, colour or freshness by going to a shop.
Going to a shop also gives you the opportunity to ask for advice on purchasing or use.
Apart from the quality of the products, the advantage of buying CBD in a shop is the notion of advice. You may not be familiar with cannabidiol or perhaps you are looking for CBD products for the first time?
You need someone who can sell you a product, but also and above all inform and guide you. It is therefore in your interest to go to a shop and ask for advice from a CBD specialist who will be able to meet your expectations.
The disadvantages of buying CBD in a shop
Buying CBD in a shop can sometimes be confusing. The first step is to identify the shop you need to visit. In search of a trusted seller, you may have to browse several shops before finding the one that suits you.
In addition, you may not be able to find the product you are looking for in the shop. In this case, there is no need to go to the shop.
As mentioned above, opening hours, holidays and other closures can be a hindrance to those who want to go to the shop and order their products without waiting.
Travel is also a consideration. The location of the shop may not be suitable. If you have to travel a lot of miles to get to the shop and make regular trips back and forth, it can quickly become unpleasant.
CBD Shop: order your products from Naturalpes
In a world where everything, or almost everything, is done on the internet, Naturalpes is also committed to proximity and exchange. A look, a smile and, above all, clear explanations are part of the DNA of Naturalpes. This is why our company has two shops in Valais, one in the small town of Martigny and the other in the Roman city of Sion.
Naturalpes also has an online site, where we offer a wide range of products made from top quality CBD cannabis, grown in the beautiful mountains of the canton of Valais, in Switzerland.
This is carefully selected by the experts at Naturalpes to offer the best CBD flowers and to produce top quality oils, cosmetics, teas and infusions. Naturalpes also offers oils especially for pets.
CBD Switzerland 100% natural: high quality products
At Naturalpes, we are against the use of any chemical additives in CBD cannabis plant products. We require our growers and partners to use no chemical fertilizers, no synthetic pesticides and no fertilizers.
What you find in Naturalpes products is CBD cannabis flower and nothing else. Of course, we need hemp seed oil or coconut oil (certified organic) to dilute our oils, as well as vitamin E for preservation.
Our partners understand this and share Naturalpes' values, namely the strict respect of plants, biodiversity and nature in general. Our CBD cannabis plants are therefore naturally healthy, organic, and develop optimal flavours and properties.
Conclusion
Most online CBD shops, offering quality products, exist physically. If you opt for a physical shop, the quality of your product will not vary whether you buy online or in-store.
So, you will have understood that buying CBD online offers you many advantages but buying in shop remains a unique experience, as it allows you to have a physical contact with the seller, which is not negligible.
Naturalpes manages and maintains 7 key processes in its ISO 9001:2015 quality assurance organisation to control the safety and quality of the products delivered. All product and organisational risks are identified and reduced in order to ensure your satisfaction.
At Naturalpes we own and control both sales channels very precisely. Our team will be happy to answer all your questions!