We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.
Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Cannabidiol (CBD), is available in many forms, including oils. Some of the most potent oils contain up to 12,000 milligrams (mg) of CBD per 30 milliliters (mL). Brands offering potent CBD oils include Cornbread, Zatural, and cbdMD.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:
Ingredients:MNT selects products containing safe and high quality clearly labeled ingredients. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
Dosage:MNT chooses products that must clearly state the CBD dosage.
Serving size:MNT selects products in which manufacturers recommend a dosage.
Third-party labs:MNT chooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Available certificate of analysis:MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) after receiving its third-party lab results.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
A person interested in trying CBD oil should research different products to find one that is safe and reliable. Customer reviews from third-party sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot are useful tools when researching brands.
A person may want to review each product’s ingredient list and concentration levels. They might want to know if the product is lab-grade and third-party tested.
A person using CBD for the first time may find a product with a lower dosage more suitable. They can then gradually increase the dosage as desired.
According to research, CBD can negatively interact with medications, such as anticonvulsants, including diazepam, lamotrigine, and phenytoin.
People should also not use CBD alongside sedative drugs, such as barbiturates, and narcotics, such as codeine and morphine. Anybody taking medication should speak with a doctor prior to taking CBD.
CBD can make people drowsy, so people should avoid driving and handling heavy machinery when taking this product.
A person taking CBD for the first time should avoid strong CBD. It is better to start with a lower dose and increase the dosage slowly.
A person should always speak with a healthcare professional before using CBD products.
While there is a wealth of research regarding the effects of cannabis and THC, there are few high quality human trials investigating CBD alone.
It is difficult for experts to predict precisely how differences in strength impact CBD’s effectiveness.
Based on the findings of a 2020 review, CBD appears relatively safe at various doses. However, the authors did not pinpoint a specific dose or range of doses they believed would benefit everyone.
Most of the studies included in this review evaluated daily doses of 300–600 mg of CBD, but a few studies reported using doses as high as 2,000 mg per day.
Everyone responds differently to CBD, so it is best for people using CBD for the first time to start at a lower dose.
Purchasing a higher CBD concentration product may be more cost-effective and convenient for some people.
For example, someone who uses 300 mg of CBD for chronic pain or anxiety would use 12 full droppers of 25 mg of CBD oil. They could get a similar 300 mg dose by using only one and a half droppers of 2,000 mg CBD oil.
However, stronger products may provide more CBD per unit but may lead to inaccurate dosing.
The FDA has approved only one CBD product, called Epidiolex, which is for severe forms of childhood epilepsy. The FDA does not regulate any other CBD products.
People should avoid purchasing products from companies that have inaccurate labeling. The FDA has a database of CBD companies to which it has issued warnings, as the content did not match the amount of CBD on the product’s labels.
In a recent study, researchers found that nearly half of the 80 CBD products it looked at that were available for sale in central Kentucky had inaccurate label information.
However, most reputable CBD manufacturers will provide third-party lab results to their customers.
People should always use caution when shopping for CBD, especially high-potency products. High-potency CBD products can be inaccurately labeled. Some products may not even contain CBD.
Additionally, some CBD products may contain enough THC to produce a positive result in a drug test.
A person should always speak with a healthcare professional before trying any supplement, including CBD oil, especially if they are currently taking medication. If they are considering taking CBD for a particular health problem, such as poor sleep, anxiety, or pain, they should speak with a doctor to make sure it is a suitable supplement to try.
If they experience side effects after taking CBD, they should stop using it and contact a doctor.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about strong CBD oils.
What is the strongest level of CBD?
One of the strongest levels of CBD on the market in the U.S. is 12,000 mg per 30 mL. This is seen in a Zatural CBD oil.
Is there a 5,000 mg CBD oil?
Yes, people can buy 5,000 mg CBD oil in the U.S. Level Select and CBDistillery sell 5,000 mg CBD oils.
Is 1,000 mg CBD oil strong?
1,000 mg CBD is a moderate to high dose of CBD.
What is 40% CBD oil?
40% CBD oil means that 40% of a product’s total volume is CBD. The remaining 60% can comprise other cannabinoids, terpenes, carrier oils, and other ingredients.
CBD oil is a popular product with many potential benefits. However, more high quality, controlled trials are needed to verify the medical applications of CBD.
People who currently use CBD products but feel they may benefit from stronger alternatives can use this article for guidance. People who have never used CBD but are interested in trying it should start with a low dose and gradually work up to more potent products.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
