How We Review CBD
Updated July 2026. TheCBDLedger reviews CBD products the way an auditor reviews a set of books: every claim gets checked against a document, not taken on faith. This page is our public methodology. Every review on this site links back here so you can see exactly how a score was reached.
What disqualifies a brand before we write a word
A brand does not get reviewed if it cannot produce a current, batch specific, third party Certificate of Analysis (COA). No public COA means no review, regardless of how popular the brand is. We also do not cover delta 8, delta 10, THCA gray market products, or unverifiable imports. Every product we cover must be hemp derived with COA verified delta 9 THC under 0.3 percent, in line with the 2018 Farm Bill framework.
The Ledger Table: what we verify on every product
- Label claim vs COA verified potency. We compare the milligrams printed on the label against the milligrams confirmed in the lab report, and note the percentage variance when the brand's batch system allows us to check a specific batch.
- COA source. Lab name, batch date, a link to the report, and whether the COA is tied to a specific batch or a generic sample.
- Hemp source and extraction method, as disclosed by the brand.
- THC content per COA. Must be under 0.3 percent delta 9 THC to be federally legal hemp.
- Contaminant panel status. Whether pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents were tested, and the result.
- Price per milligram of CBD. We calculate this from the brand's listed price and total CBD content so products can be compared on value, not marketing.
- Spectrum type. Full spectrum, broad spectrum, or isolate.
The Ledger Score
Every review ends with a score out of 10 in 0.5 point steps. We hold the scale to real standards:
- 9 and above is rare: reserved for brands with exceptional transparency, verified potency, and strong value.
- 7 is genuinely good, not just acceptable.
- 5 is average for the category.
- A missing or outdated COA caps any score at 4, no matter how well marketed the product is.
We do not inflate scores. Trust is the only product a review site actually sells.
What we do not do
We do not make medical or therapeutic claims. We do not say a product treats, cures, or helps any named condition, and we do not prescribe dosages. Where user experience or early research is mentioned, we frame it carefully, name the source, and note that research in this area is limited. This is consumer product journalism, not medical advice.
Sources we check against
Primary sources are the brand's own COA and lab documents. We also reference the FDA's CBD regulatory guidance and warning letter database, the 2018 Farm Bill and USDA hemp rules for legality questions, and Project CBD for education context. Reddit and Trustpilot are used only as sentiment signals, framed as user reports, never as fact.
FAQ
Does TheCBDLedger accept payment for positive reviews?
No. Scores are based only on the documented criteria above.
What happens if a brand's COA cannot be verified?
The review says so directly, and the score is capped at 4 out of 10.
How often are reviews updated?
Reviews and best of lists are refreshed as formulas, prices, or COAs change, on the same URL so the page keeps its history.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. CBD products are not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare professional before using CBD, especially if you take medications, are pregnant or are nursing. Products discussed are intended for adults.