How CBD Is Made
When you hold a bottle of CBD oil, you are looking at the end result of a multi-step process that starts in a field and ends with a lab report. Understanding that process helps you evaluate which brands are doing it right.
Step 1: Growing Hemp
It all starts with the hemp plant. Hemp is a hardy crop that grows in a variety of climates across the United States. It is a legal agricultural crop under the 2018 Farm Bill, regulated by the USDA and state departments of agriculture.
Quality CBD starts with quality hemp. The variety of hemp, the soil conditions, and the farming practices all affect the final product. Hemp is a bioaccumulator -- it absorbs substances from the soil, which is why clean farming practices and testing at harvest are critical.
Cross Country Wellness sources USA-grown hemp. Knowing where the hemp comes from is the first step in knowing what is in the product.
Step 2: Extraction
Once the hemp is harvested and dried, the CBD needs to be extracted from the plant material. There are several methods:
CO2 Extraction. This is considered the gold standard. It uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull CBD and other compounds from the plant. The result is a clean, potent extract without residual solvents. It requires expensive equipment, which is why not every brand uses it.
Ethanol Extraction. Uses food-grade ethanol as a solvent to dissolve CBD from the plant material. The ethanol is then evaporated, leaving behind the extract. This method is efficient and scalable, though care must be taken to remove all residual solvent.
Hydrocarbon Extraction. Uses solvents like butane or propane. This method is less common for consumer CBD products due to the risk of residual solvents in the final product.
The extraction method matters because it affects purity. A Certificate of Analysis should include residual solvent testing to confirm the extract is clean.
Step 3: Refinement
After extraction, the raw hemp extract goes through additional processing depending on the desired end product:
Full spectrum keeps most of the plant compounds intact, including trace THC.
Broad spectrum undergoes additional processing to remove THC while retaining other cannabinoids.
Isolate is refined until only pure CBD remains -- no other cannabinoids, no THC.
Cross Country Wellness products are zero THC. Our extraction partners in Nevada refine the extract to remove THC entirely, which is then confirmed by independent lab testing.
Step 4: Formulation
The refined CBD extract is then combined with other ingredients to create the final product:
Oils: CBD extract is blended with a carrier oil (such as MCT oil or hemp seed oil) at precise concentrations. A 1000mg bottle means 1000mg of CBD has been carefully measured and mixed into the carrier oil.
Capsules: The CBD-oil blend is encapsulated in a softgel or hard capsule shell for pre-measured dosing.
Topicals: CBD extract is mixed with a cream or balm base along with additional ingredients like essential oils for targeted application.
Gummies: CBD (and sometimes other cannabinoids like CBN) is incorporated into a gummy base with flavoring and sweeteners.
Step 5: Third-Party Testing
Before a product reaches your door, it should be sent to an independent laboratory for testing. This is the step that separates serious brands from the rest.
The lab tests for:
- Cannabinoid content: Confirms the amount of CBD matches the label and verifies THC levels.
- Contaminants: Screens for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial contamination.
- Potency: Ensures the product is neither under-dosed nor over-dosed.
The results are published in a Certificate of Analysis (COA). At Cross Country Wellness, we publish a COA for every product. You can read it before you buy.
Step 6: Packaging and Fulfillment
Once a product passes lab testing, it is bottled, labeled, and prepared for sale. Labels should include the total CBD content, per-serving dose, ingredient list, batch number, and company information.
From there, products are shipped to customers or delivered to retail locations. Cross Country Wellness ships nationwide and is available at 18 retail locations in the Las Vegas area.
Why the Process Matters
Every step in this chain is an opportunity for quality -- or for cutting corners. A brand that sources clean hemp, uses proper extraction, tests with independent labs, and publishes the results is a brand that earns your trust through transparency.
You should not have to take a company's word for it. You should be able to trace the process and verify it yourself. That is what a Certificate of Analysis is for.
Shop All Products | Read Our Lab Results
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before use.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author
Jim Bergan is the co-founder of Cross Country Wellness with over 40 years of experience in the cannabis and hemp industry. A former golf professional, Jim spent years managing large-scale outdoor cannabis cultivation in Northern California's Emerald Triangle -- one of the most respected growing regions in the world. He now leads CCW's wholesale partnerships.
This article is for educational purposes. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.