The term “CBD” has been popping up in the news and media recently. CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in hemp stems, leaves, and flowers. It also goes by other names, such as cannabidiol or simply a full-spectrum hemp oil. The all-natural plant cannabinoid has many wellness advantages without a psychoactive effect, and CBD benefits have propelled its popularity over the last few years. Millions of people worldwide are sold on the clinically proven effective compound. Industry experts estimate CBD sales will hit $2,740 million in 2021. Projections have global sales growing by over 50% by 2030. However, not everyone is convinced the non-habit-forming organic extract is legit. What do you do when a skeptic walks into your store? How do you secure that sale? Below are seven steps that can help you convince that skeptic.
Start With Pointing Out That “CBD Isn’t Marijuana”
People often confuse hemp and marijuana. It is easy to see why—both come from the cannabis family. Nonetheless, hemp and marijuana are not the same things. They share the same appearance, fragrance, and compounds. However, they don’t have the same potency. Marijuana has high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound that gets you high. Hemp, on the other hand, is packed full of CBD, with minimal THC. If you want to sell CBD, address this common confusion fast to stop customers from seeing the two plants as the same.
You can explain that hemp is a subspecies of cannabis that doesn’t produce more than 0.3% THC. The small amount of THC isn’t enough to cause a high or psychoactive response, and it’s safe and legal.
Some people are concerned that they are encouraging marijuana use by buying CBD oil—this isn’t true. Purchasing hemp products will not get you high in any way, just as eating poppy seeds won’t make you fail a drug test.
This doesn’t mean that hemp oil is not psychoactive, but it does mean that there are no legal restrictions on CBD products due to low THC content. You can read more about how CBD benefits are defined as psychoactive, but not in the way you think.
Explain That Hemp is Legal
You might have to answer several questions before a customer is sold on CBD benefits. Most of these inquiries revolve around the supposed high, but many others involve the legality of hemp and CBD. If a person doesn’t know what they are selling, how will they sell it?
The 2018 Farm Bill allowed for the legal cultivation, processing, and transportation of industrial hemp products. CBD products are federally legal in all 50 states. Although some states were slow to come on board with the non-intoxicating compound, everyone’s in the same place under federal law.
Highlight Statistics & Facts
Sometimes the numbers are what matters. Here are some statistics you can use to gain the attention of skeptics.
- 64% of Americans are familiar with CBD products
- ⅓ of Americans have used CBD
- Over 60% of seniors who’ve tried CBD report it works
- CBD products for pets is the fastest growing area of the hemp industry
- 56% of CBD users are millennials
- Nearly 40% of CBD customers are using it for relief
- CBD tinctures are the most popular product in the U.S. market
Cite the Research & Benefits
There’s a ton of research about CBD benefits. If you are trying to convince someone that your products are worth buying, show them research about CBD for anxiety or sleep. There are many studies on PubMed about the hemp compound. For example, a study on mice showed how the cannabinoid reduces inflammation and promotes healthy bone growth. Find out what people don’t know about hemp, use it to your advantage, and sell more CBD products!
You can’t sell what you don’t understand. Do as much research as you have time to complete to show your customers why experts are excited about the ancient plant. Hemp is a versatile substance that has loads of health benefits. Some potential customers might be uncertain about why they should use the compound. Offer them a list of potential benefits and use this to promote your CBD products.
- There are many different ways that hemp oil can help people:
- Reduces anxiety
- Support healthy cognitive function
- Encourages quality sleep
- Relieves muscle soreness
Explain the Entourage Effect
Many skeptics will question how hemp affects them. The entourage effect is a term in cannabinoid research that refers to how CBD works with other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in hemp oil. These compounds work with CBD to produce better health results. For example, CBG works synergistically with CBD to reduce inflammation. These added effects are an extra selling point for customers interested in the hemp extract but skeptical of its benefits.
Provide an Overview of the Different Products
Explain that there are many ways to use CBD. Whether people want to add hemp oil to smoothies, vape CBD products, use topicals, or take oral drops, there is a way for everybody.
Mention they can use hemp in different forms and that it’s not limited to smoking flowers. You can find it in products like CBD tinctures, topicals, edibles, vape cartridges, and capsules. Hemp can also be brewed into tea or added to food.
Work to create a connection between CBD products and supplements they already take daily. Popular examples include melatonin gummies to encourage sleep or their regular multivitamin. These consumers might feel more comfortable with edible items like gummies or capsules that remind them of traditional ways of taking all-natural supplements.
The goal of selling CBD is not to get people high—it’s to get people healthy. If you want to convince skeptics, you must understand this distinction. For more information on helping customers understand CBD benefits and getting them to take the leap and try a CBD tincture for wellness, subscribe to our blog.
