INTRODUCTION
On 19 June 2024, K-Tipp published a comprehensive CBD flower test in its issue No. 12. The Kassensturz test focused on cannabinoid content and the presence of pesticides. A total of ten products, all grown in Switzerland, were examined for their quality. The results were alarming: only three of the tested CBD flowers showed high cannabinoid content and were free of pesticides. However, further testing criteria would also have been important to assess the quality of the CBD Flowers to be able to truly assess. The CBD flower test highlights the importance of seeking out and finding suppliers and products that are truly trustworthy and should also prompt us to hold politicians and authorities accountable, to better protect consumers with binding test and quality criteria. But one thing at a time:
K-TIPP CBD Flower Test Summary
On 19 June 2024, in issue No. 12, K-Tipp presented a comprehensive test of CBD flowers. The focus of the test was on determining cannabinoid content and checking for pesticide residues. A total of ten CBD flower products grown in Switzerland were examined for their quality. The results were worrying: only three of the tested CBD flowers had a high cannabinoid content and were free of pesticides.
TEST RESULTS CANNABINOID CONTENT
The product «Green Lee» has been named the K-Tipp test winner for CBD buds. With a total of 21 percent cannabinoids, it clearly stood out from the others. It was followed by only three other providers, whose products each contained 17 percent cannabinoids.
Brand:
Green Lee
Herba di Berna
Black Widow
Artur
Vapor Spirit
Product name:
Kim's Selection
Harlequin Mini
Jack Frost
CBD Pack N4
Erdbeerli Nugs
Cannabinoids:
21% Total
17% Total
17% Total
17% Total
10% Total
The results that are listed in the text are in the overview. Unfortunately, it is not clear from the test anywhere how many cannabinoids the tested CBD flowers actually contain.
Unfortunately, many of the other CBD flowers in the test contained either too few cannabinoids or even pesticides. Products such as Floralpes, Sonnenfeld, and Swiss Botanic performed poorly in the test, as they showed between 4 and 24 milligrams of pesticide residues per kilo. These pesticides can enter the body through smoke or vapour during consumption and pose health risks.
PRICE COMPARISON OF TESTED PRODUCTS
In addition to pesticide analyses and cannabinoid content, K-Tipp also listed the prices of the tested products as price per gram in its CBD flower test. It was noted that there are significant price differences. Some products are available from as little as 0.70 CHF per gram, while others are up to ten times more expensive.
What the article doesn't make clear for the test is that different products were compared. One example of this is the Lemon Haze Trim from Hanfpost that was tested, which is sold not as CBD buds, but as CBD trim. CBD trim consists of the leftover cuttings that are produced during the processing of CBD buds. It is therefore a by-product of bud processing, which deviates significantly from full CBD buds in its quality and cannabinoid content. Therefore, it is understandable that CBD trim is not comparable in price to full CBD buds.
Green Lee
Herba di Berna
Black Widow
Artur
Pure Production
Vapor Spirits
Hemp mail
Kim's Selection
Harlequin
Jack Frost
Pack N4
Ganja Slash
Strawberry
Lemon Haze
Blossoms
Mini Buds
Blossoms
Blossoms
Trim
Mini Buds
Trim
5.-
1.90
7.50
6.60
1.70
1.30
-.70
It is clear here that the prices are only poorly comparable. Trim and mini buds are, as by-products, naturally much cheaper than CBD flowers.
So, for consumers, it's also important to pay attention to product categorisation. Sometimes, it's not immediately obvious from the products themselves whether they are CBD flowers or, for example, trim.
WHAT THE K-TIPP CBD FLOWER TEST RESULTS MEAN
The alarming results of the K-Tipp CBD flower test underscore the need to use tested and trustworthy products from reputable suppliers. It is essential to ensure that CBD flowers do not contain harmful pesticides and deliver the promised cannabinoid content, especially since many health-conscious people also consciously choose CBD flowers. However, the K-Tipp CBD flower test has shown that many products on the market unfortunately do not deserve the trust of customers and that self-monitoring by producers cannot be relied upon. It therefore remains absolutely crucial that consumers use products that are comprehensively tested, deliver consistent quality, and have thus earned their trust. Otherwise, they run the risk of unknowingly ingesting harmful substances.
CRITICISM AND EXPANSION OF TEST CRITERIA FOR CBD FLOWERS
The results from the CBD buds K-Tipp test become even more precarious when considering that only one relevant safety feature of the CBD buds was tested. The check for pesticides and cannabinoid content is important and correct, however, it would have been equally crucial to also test for mycotoxins and bacteria. These can occur, for example, in old or inferior quality CBD cannabis and carry significant health risks. With new methods, characteristics that normally indicate inferior cannabis (e.g. smell or colour) are now often simply masked by chemical means. This makes it even more difficult for consumers to identify inferior CBD buds. Mycotoxins, in particular, which form on inferior CBD buds, can cause significant health problems when inhaled. Likewise, certain bacteria that grow on plants (usually on brownish, old cannabis) can be hazardous to health when consumed. As already mentioned in the section above, official controls and strict quality guidelines are therefore essential to protect consumers. Until then, unfortunately, there is no alternative but to inform yourself and, if possible, to use trustworthy manufacturers.
Here you'll find tips and helpful insights on how to identify low-quality or even harmful CBD buds: CBD flowers – what you should look out for!
MYCOTOXINS INFOBOX:
Mycotoxins are toxic metabolic products of mould fungi, which can be harmful to health in large quantities. These toxins can grow on various plants, especially under humid and improper storage conditions. If mycotoxins are present in CBD flowers, they can enter the body when consumed by smoking or vaping and cause health problems there.
Cannabinoid content as an assessment criterion in CBD flower tests
In the K-Tipp test, the cannabinoid content of the CBD flowers was used as the main criterion for determining the test winner. Although the CBD content can be an important indicator of the quality of CBD flowers, it is not sufficient on its own to provide a comprehensive assessment of product quality.
Firstly, besides cannabinoids, cannabis contains numerous other substances that contribute to the overall effect, particularly in the context of the so-called entourage effect. This effect describes the interplay of various plant compounds, which can enhance the effect of the cannabis product. Secondly, even buds with a high cannabinoid content can be of poor quality, for instance, due to impurities or improper processing.
Assessing the quality of CBD flowers is therefore complex and should take several aspects into account. In addition to measurable factors such as active ingredient content and the presence of pesticides or harmful bacteria, subjective criteria also play a role. Similar to wine tasting, where taste, appearance and consistency are essential quality features, a comprehensive evaluation should also take place with cannabis flowers.
QUALICANN: OUR APPROACH TO QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
At Qualicann, we strive to be a go-to source for safe and reliable products through uncompromising quality and rigorous testing of all our offerings. High quality CBD products to be. All our products are therefore extensively tested in state-of-the-art laboratories. Our analyses include not only cannabinoid content and pesticide residues, but also mycotoxins and bacteria. This is how we ensure that our CBD flowers are of the highest quality and safe for consumption. Unfortunately, our CBD flowers were not tested by K-Tipp this time. Otherwise, our products would probably have become test winners again, as they did in 2019 when K-Tipp tested our CBD oils. At that time, our products were the only ones that truly delivered what they promised.to the CBD oil K-Tipp test).
WHY SWEET STAR WOULD CONVINCE QUALICANN
One example of our high-quality CBD flowers is our long-standing bestseller – Sweet Star. According to the latest cannabinoid analysis, our Sweet Star has a cannabinoid content that is significantly higher than that of the other products tested. With 25.92% CBD and 0.93% THC, it is arguably the strongest CBD strain in Switzerland. Through regular testing and checks, we can also ensure that all our CBD flowers are completely free from pesticides, mycotoxins and harmful bacteria. With these quality characteristics, Sweet Star would certainly have emerged once again as the CBD flower test winner in K-Tipp.
Conclusion of the K-Tipp CBD blossom test
The K-Tipp CBD flower test highlights the importance of quality and purity in CBD flowers. Politicians and authorities should see it as their duty to draw up and implement binding quality criteria for CBD flowers as soon as possible. Otherwise, consumers will be left alone in a very confusing market. We encourage all consumers to pay attention to the quality and safety of their CBD products and to choose providers who truly deserve their trust. Because when it comes to health, it is not worth making compromises.
