Are you an entrepreneur keen to get into the CBD industry before it is too late? If so, you need to ally yourself with a top-class seller of wholesale CBD. According to several estimates, the CBD market’s value will exceed $7 billion worldwide in the coming year, with an expected market cap of $20 billion.
As the market swells, a growing number of people are being hit with FOMO syndrome. Fortunately, it does seem as if the CBD industry will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.
Now that cultivation of industrial hemp is legal in the US; it is easier – and cheaper – for manufacturers to create high-quality CBD oil.
It also means that wholesale CBD is more affordable than ever. In this guide, we provide you with seven things to consider when seeking wholesale CBD. We also offer a quick overview of some of the most popular wholesale programs in the U.S.
1 – What Kind of Products Is the Wholesaler Offering?
The U.S. Farm Bill of 2018 has legalized industrial hemp farming as long as the plant contains less than 0.3% THC. When buying CBD from a wholesaler, you need to know the following information:
What Is the THC Content?
It is essential to know just how much THC the CBD oil or CBD product contains when buying wholesale CBD. Remember, the maximum amount of THC a CBD product can contain is 0.3% under the 2018 Farm Bill. Therefore, anything above this limit is federally illegal.
Always buy CBD from wholesalers that provide independent third-party lab reports that show exactly how much THC the product contains.
What About Pesticides?
All CBD products should come from organically grown hemp. If the product is derived from hemp grown on farms that use pesticides or insecticides, don’t even think about making the purchase.
Full Spectrum Is the Gold Standard
A full-spectrum product contains numerous non-intoxicating cannabinoids, along with terpenes and flavonoids. However, it may also have trace amounts of THC. Broad-spectrum, in comparison, includes a myriad of cannabinoids and terpenes, and zero THC.
Research suggests that products with cannabinoids and terpenes working together are more effective than CBD alone, a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect.” Make sure the products contain CBG, CBN, CBC, and CBDA, along with terpenes such as linalool and alpha-pinene.
The only way to guarantee all of the above is to view third-party lab reports. You’ll notice that most reputable CBD sellers include lab reports with every batch of products. If the wholesaler’s website doesn’t show evidence in the form of third-party lab reports, be very wary. It is an expensive process but a necessary one to provide a cast-iron guarantee of quality.
2 – Farming Practices
Earlier, we mentioned the importance of buying wholesale CBD derived from hemp grown on organic farms. The reason is that the hemp plant will absorb any contaminants or chemicals in the soil, including pesticides and insecticides. The process is known as phytoremediation, and hemp is so effective at it that it has been planted at the Chernobyl disaster site to absorb radioactive waste from the soil there.
While hemp plants are susceptible to diseases and pests, organic farmers have utilized effective farming practices to prevent these problems. For example, organic farmers often use companion planting to deter pests. Some of the most common companion plants include:
- Basil: its pungent smell is a natural deterrent for pests that like to feed on the hemp plant.
- Chives, cilantro, and sage: Deter pests such as aphids, beetles, and spider mites.
- Peppermint: its sweet smell naturally repels harmful insects and attracts beneficial ones.
- Garlic: is a natural fungicide and an effective organic alternative to using harmful chemicals.
- Chrysanthemums: protect against microscopic worms that can destroy the root structure.
Hemp plants are susceptible to diseases such as grey mold, white mold, blight, and root rot. As a result, organic farmers often opt for hemp seeds and strains that are naturally mold-resistant.
3 – Type of Extraction Method Utilized
The method used to extract the CBD from the hemp plants is just as important as the organic farming practices utilized to cultivate the crop. Supercritical CO2 extraction is widely regarded as the industry gold standard, as it is the cleanest, purest way to extract CBD from hemp.
Please note that some CBD manufacturers use solvents such as butane and propane to extract CBD from hemp. With solvent-based extraction methods, there is a risk of residual solvents remaining in the CBD oil after the purging process is complete.
Therefore, it is essential to buy wholesale CBD from a company that provides independent third-party lab reports. Lab testing will check for the presence of contaminants, and the test results will also show you exactly how much CBD the product contains.
4 – Consider Pricing & Selection of CBD Products
Certain wholesalers claim to offer a wide range of products. However, they don’t provide a particularly great deal when it comes to purchasing in bulk. Such organizations have a very short-term view of business and are usually only looking to make a quick buck. Using such a company will cost you thousands of dollars in the medium to long-term.
Take a closer look at what the wholesaler offers and make sure it aligns with the needs of your target market. The most successful CBD sellers offer a wide range of products at a variety of price points. If you are starting, it is a good idea to minimize the number of 2,000mg+ CBD products, for example. Despite the fall in CBD prices, few customers can afford to pay for high concentrations of the cannabinoid.
The type of product also matters. The majority of consumers look for CBD oils, edibles, vape juices, and balms. If you are looking to specialize in weird and wonderful items, go for it! Just remember that leftfield items such as CBD spice may not sell as well as you would hope. When in doubt, stick with a wholesaler that offers mainstream, marketable products.
As far as pricing goes, it is usually on a scale. This means the percentage of what you get off the shelf price is directly related to the amount you purchase. There are a few CBD wholesalers that offer a massive 50% discount.
5 – Look for Fast Shipping
As a CBD seller, you need to receive your goods as quickly as possible because your entire business depends on quick resale. Imagine a situation where your customers order 100 bottles of CBD oil between them, and you have nothing in stock. To make matters worse, your wholesaler has delayed sending you the items. You will have a lot of angry customers who are unlikely to return to your store.
Typically, it should take a few days for a wholesaler to send you the items. If they say it will take more than a week, it is likely an inefficient operation. In a crowded marketplace with demanding consumers, a lack of speed kills your company.
If a wholesaler is unable to make quick turnarounds for its orders, it is a poorly run organization not worth your time.
A reputable wholesaler is likely to provide free shipping to sweeten the deal and keep you coming back. Less trustworthy operations will try to squeeze every penny out of you. Some try to charge an extra 10% for shipping!
To succeed in the CBD industry, you must have exceptionally high standards, and you need a wholesaler with the same mentality. Make sure you look at samples before committing to any deal. Pay special attention to the packaging. Are the items sold loosely or in well-designed packaging? Are the products easy to store?
Remember, a customer’s eye is drawn to professional displays. Make sure you don’t waste money on something that looks like it was fished out of a bin.
6 – How Strong is the Marketing Support?
Products live and die on the strength of their marketing. If you align yourself with a wholesaler that has excellent marketing, it becomes easier for your company to make the breakthrough. Good marketing informs consumers about the potential effects of CBD and makes them curious and eager to buy.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Does the brand have brochures?
- Is it possible to access educational materials?
- Do you get marketing items such as banners and signage with your purchase?
- Can you get samples from the wholesaler to give to prospective customers?
Remember, competition is incredibly intense so you need all the help you can get. Unfortunately, many wholesalers have no idea how to market CBD products. Their goal is to sell bulk CBD to you, and that’s where their interest ends.
7 – Who Are the Best CBD Wholesalers?
It is perhaps unsurprising to learn that the top bulk CBD sellers are also reputable CBD companies in their own right. Here are four of the top CBD wholesale brands on the market:
All of these brands meet the criteria discussed in this article. Premium Jane is one of these reputable wholesalers. It offers its partners an array of benefits. It is already a well-known brand, which can only help with your marketing efforts. Premium Jane also offers huge discounts.
Customers benefit from free shipping, same-day shipping options in most instances, and industry-leading customer service. It caters to smaller start-ups by keeping the minimum order low, and on most products, there are no minimum unit requirements.
Best of all, there are no hidden costs. Joining the Premium Jane wholesale program is free, and new products are introduced regularly. The brand also offers easily accessible lab reports, and every product has its own display box. They even include helpful brochures with every order.
Final Thoughts on CBD Wholesalers
In the end, your CBD company is only as good as the products you sell and the quality of your marketing. When you consider everything, your margins will be low. Therefore, it is essential to get the best possible deal without sacrificing cost for quality.