CBD Oil Reviews Australia: The Best Brands and Where to Buy

You’ve decided you want to access the healing power of CBD oil, but what do you need to know before hitting the buy now button?

To save you time and money, I’ve reviewed both green market and medically prescribed CBD products I’ve personally purchased, tried and tested.

This CBD oil review also explains what constitutes a high-quality product, costs, and the health benefits associated with CBD consumption.

So, which CBD is best? Read on to find out.

Australian CBD oil reviews: Everything you need to know

I’ve tried a number of different CBD products, both Australian and international, all with varying results. Some were amazing, others not so much.

I recently decided to purchase a few Australian green market brands to test out and share my experience, and as a comparison, I’ve included a short review of medical cannabis products that I’ve been prescribed.

I purchased the smallest bottle size available to trial the product and share my results and thoughts.

Some things to know about me and why I use CBD oil; I have a long-term lower back injury which can cause varying levels of pain and discomfort, I sometimes have disrupted sleep which affects everything from energy to cognition, and lastly, I’m a stress-head.

I find that full-spectrum CBD products mainly help reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm and improve mental clarity.

Over the years, I’ve found I need a slightly higher dose of THC to manage pain and sleep symptoms more effectively.

Please remember that these reviews are based on my symptoms and experience. Every person responds differently to CBD oil due to unique physiological factors.

I’ve decided not to name these brands publicly, but if you want more information, you can leave a comment on this article, enter your email in the opt-in box or just send us an email.

What is CBD oil?

CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol. It’s among 113 cannabinoid compounds in both the hemp and marijuana plants. The main difference between hemp and marijuana is the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) content; hemp is a high-CBD and low-THC variety of the cannabis plant, whereas marijuana is a high-THC genus of the plant.

The hemp used to create CBD oil usually contains 0.3% THC, so it’s non-intoxicating and won’t make you feel ‘high’ or impaired.

What are the benefits of CBD oil?

Emerging scientific research and growing anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD may help with a wide range of health conditions, including [1,2]:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Arthritis and other chronic pain conditions
• Neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Gut disorders such as colitis
• Inflammation
• Skin conditions

Is CBD oil legal in Australia?

Currently, CBD oil is legal with a medical prescription. In February 2021, the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved low-dose CBD products to be supplied over-the-counter in a pharmacy without a prescription [3].

There are also alternative channels to access CBD oil, often referred to as the green market. While some businesses are out to make a quick buck, many are trying to help people access quality products at affordable prices.

The following contains information on how to identify a good product or business.

What makes a high-quality hemp CBD oil?

There are a few things that can help you to identify whether a CBD oil product is high-quality or a dud. It’s essential to consider the following criteria for your next CBD product:

There are over 20 reputable green market suppliers in Australia, but there are more than 80 known businesses selling inferior products or are just a straight up scam.

Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum Vs Isolate

CBD oil comes in three different forms; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate. But which is best?

• Full-spectrum refers to a product that uses whole-plant extraction, which means the end product contains the full array of beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant. A full-spectrum product is considered superior as it promotes the ‘entourage effect’, which is when all of the compounds from hemp work together in the body to create a more significant overall effect [4].
• Broad Spectrum products contain all beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes except THC, which is removed during manufacturing. This is an excellent option for those who don’t want to or can’t consume any THC at all.
• Isolate products contain only CBD and no other compound found in the plant. Some people prefer isolate products; however, you miss out on the benefits of the entourage effect from the other cannabinoids and terpenes. Generally speaking, this form of CBD is less effective for people with chronic pain or sleep conditions.

Third-Party Lab Reports

The same as we look at food labels to understand what we’re eating, it’s also essential to look for companies that provide third-party lab reports so you know exactly what’s inside your precious bottle of oil. Third-party Certificate of Analysis reports should give a breakdown of the following things [5]:

• The potency of active ingredients (CBD)
• Cannabinoid profile
• Terpene profile
• Pesticide, heavy metal and fungus testing

Approximately 30% of green market products from reputable suppliers still do not provide total mg of CBD or other cannabinoids contained in the product

Organically Grown

Hemp has an amazing ability to absorb chemicals from the surrounding environment and ground it’s grown in. To avoid further chemical exposure, looking for CBD oil manufactured from organic hemp crops is essential.

Extraction Method

The best CBD oils are extracted using supercritical CO₂ as it yields superior results compared to other methods. It also helps to avoid processing chemicals such as propane, butane, pentane, or hexane, leaving behind dangerous substances [6]. However, some manufacturers use other methods such as alcohol extraction.

How Much Should CBD Oil Cost?

This is a tricky question to answer as there’s no standard industry pricing due to the variables in CBD oil manufacturing, such as product strength, product type (isolates tend to be cheaper than full-spectrum), and product size.

You can pick up a cheap bottle on a dodgy site for $60, and on the other end of the spectrum, you can find a bottle that costs upwards of $500.

You should focus mainly on the cost per mg of active cannabinoid. According to FreshLeaf analytics, the retail floor price is 0.05 cents per mg of cannabinoid, and medical cannabis patients spend an average of $278 per month [7].

However, when going through the medical pathway, you’ll also need to factor in the doctor’s fees which can range in price depending on the doctor or clinic. But you can expect to shell out anywhere from $80 to $350.

If, like me, you want to test the waters with CBD oil without the cost and rigmarole of speaking with a doctor, then going through the green market may be a suitable option.

In my experience, green market prices have ranged from $80 to $250 based on size and strength, with the smallest bottle being 10ml and the largest bottle 50ml.

Okay, now you know more about what makes a great CBD product, so what companies excel in this space and produce premium products worth your hard-earned cash? And which should just go in the trash?

CBD Oil Australia Reviews: Australian Brands

CBD Oil Brand 1

Features

• Full-spectrum extract
• 1000mg CBD per bottle
• Organically-grown hemp
• 15ml
• $90

The oil has a subtle earthy flavour with notes of pine, and I found the taste palatable. This product uses rice bran oil as the carrier, which doesn’t have an overpowering flavour that detracts from the natural flavour of the hemp extract like other carriers such as olive oil.

The oil’s appearance was cloudy, unlike any other CBD oil product I’ve seen before.

Generally, cloudy CBD oil indicates either a poor-quality product or a product that has been stored incorrectly in extreme temperatures.

Additionally, the company claims to test their products but won’t share the Certificate of Analysis with customers. They also offer no information on the extraction method used to create the oil.

Unfortunately, this product arrived with a broken ring seal, and the bottle wasn’t completely full.

I emailed the company to enquire about the unsealed bottle and also to ask about THC content, but I didn’t receive a response.

Overall, the oil was ok. It didn’t help improve my sleep or reduce pain, but I noticed a slight improvement in mental clarity and focus for a short time.

CBD Oil Brand 2

Features

• Full-spectrum extract
• 1000mg CBD per bottle
• Organically-grown hemp
• CO2 extracted
• Third-party lab tested
• 50ml
• $190

This 1000mg CBD oil ticks all of the boxes for me regarding product transparency and quality; it is organically grown with lab reports to back it up.

This oil has a more subtle flavour and is easy to take directly under the tongue or added to a drink or snack.

I immediately noticed that at lower doses, this CBD oil helped block out mental chatter and allowed me to be productive and focussed throughout the day.

At higher doses, this product significantly reduced feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. I woke up one morning feeling particularly anxious for no reason, and I decided to take the oil.

About an hour later, I was working away at my computer and suddenly realised I felt calm and relaxed; all the earlier stress had vanished.

I think it’s important to mention that CBD isn’t like taking other medications. It acts differently in the body.

Sometimes the effects aren’t apparent until you realise the symptoms you’re treating have disappeared or lessened in severity.

I could also access lab reports upon request, and this business’s customer service and follow-up were really helpful.

CBD Oil Australia Reviews: Other High-Quality Brands

Luce Farm Wellness

Features

• Certified organic
• Naturally grown hemp (outdoors)
• Full-spectrum
• Family-owned
• Range of naturally flavoured oils
• Hand-made and harvested

This 1500mg full-spectrum CBD oil has my heart forever. It was the first CBD oil I tried and, to this day, is still one of the best products I’ve tried.

This CBD oil is the culmination of a passion for cannabis and sustainable agricultural practices to develop plant-based health and wellness products that genuinely make a difference in people’s lives.

I attribute the quality and efficacy of their products to a few crucial processes the farm undertakes.

All of their hemp is grown outdoors in nature on certified organic farmland in the rich Vermont landscape, and the plants derive all the nutrients they need to flower from natural and sustainable sources.

Additionally, all plants start from seed, and the cannabinoid-laden flower is hand-harvested for processing.

Speaking of processing, they use the Supercritical CO2 extraction method, a natural, pure and environmentally friendly process that retains all beneficial plant compounds, including terpenes, omega fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.

Finally, all products are hand-made in their private production facility, allowing them complete control over all quality control measures.

The caveat to the glowing review is that the company only ships within the US, but if you’re planning a holiday soon and want to try CBD oil, this is hands down the one to try!

NuLeaf Naturals

Features:

• Range of cannabinoid-specific products
• Range of CBD concentrations
• Organically grown hemp
• Full-spectrum
• Third-party lab tested

NuLeaf CBD oil is another fantastic full-spectrum product that offers a diverse range of health benefits.

This CBD oil had a very different effect from the Luce Farm product; less sedating and more energising.

While this certainly didn’t help with sleep as much, it did an excellent job of perking me up in the morning so that I could get on with my day with a clear mind and focus.

NuLeaf has been pioneering the cannabinoid wellness space since 2014, their diverse product range offers oil, soft gels, topical and even pet products.

What’s really interesting about this brand is that they’ve developed a product range based on specific cannabinoids that target certain conditions.

Typically a full-spectrum CBD oil will contain a small percentage of other minor cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG and CBD. However, the predominant cannabinoid is CBD.

However, NuLeaf’s proprietary genetics have allowed them to develop full-spectrum products with highly concentrated amounts of specific cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG, and CBC.

With more than 20,000 positive reviews, it’s easy to see that NuLeaf’s products are effective for a broad range of conditions and concerns.

CBD Oil Australia Reviews: Prescribed Products

ANTG (Australian Natural Therapeutics Group)

Features

• Prescription-only
• State-of-the-art growing facility
• Grown with predominantly natural light
• Free of yeasts, moulds and contaminants
• Australian grown

ANTG is the first Australian GACP (Good Agricultural & Collection Practices) and GMP certified (Good Manufacturing Practices) producer of Australian-grown and Australian-made cannabis flower medicinal products, ensuring that all their products meet the highest pharmaceutical quality standards.

They have a strong focus on innovation and research and claim a best in class cultivation and extraction system to produce pharmaceutical-grade cannabis medicine for patients in Australia and across the globe.

While the product portfolio mainly focuses on flower, they also manufacture one isolate CBD oil.

Their products are grown and manufactured by a team of master growers and plant scientists adept at crafting variable CBD:THC ratio products, ensuring they cater to all patient requirements. All ANTG products are available by prescription only.

I have been prescribed the Eve flower which I use with a dry herb vape. I’ve found this to be a much better experience than vaping cannabis concentrates; it’s smoother, has a great flavour and isn’t as harsh on my lungs.

I use the Storz & Bickel Mighty, and this device makes dosing and consumption incredibly easy for even the most novice of vapers.

The effects of the Eve flower are calming and relaxing, and I found this allowed me to fall asleep and stay asleep all night, and the delivery method offers the fastest relief.

I paid $190 for 10g of flower.

• ANTG Mariposa Flower (160mg/g THC : <1mg/g CBD)
• ANTG Solace Flower (220mg/g THC : <1mg/g CBD)
• ANTG Rocky Flower (300mg/g THC : <1mg/g CBD)
• ANTG Juno Flower (115mg/g THC : 125 mg/g CBD)
• ANTG Eve Flower (<10mg/g THC : 140 mg/g CBD)
• ANTG Elan CBD Oil (100 mg/ml CBD Only)

Little Green Pharma

Features:

• Full-spectrum
• Full range of products
• Tested for toxicants and contaminants
• Australian grown and manufactured

WA-based medical cannabis manufacturer, Little Green Pharma (LGP), is another innovative market leader within the Australian medical cannabis industry.

They have been developing and manufacturing medical cannabis products since 2018; as a business, they place significant emphasis on strict quality control to ensure consistency and quality for patients.

Additionally, all products are manufactured in a GMP-certified facility.

Their product range covers three different oil categories: CBD dominant, THC dominant and a balanced blend.

I have been prescribed CBD 50, and similar to other products mentioned in this review, I found it to be very effective for managing feelings of stress and anxiety.

I could not get any further information from the manufacturer regarding extraction methods or lab reports, but interestingly, this CBD oil had barely any flavour. If anything, it was slightly nutty, which I found odd for a hemp extract.

I paid $225 for a 50ml bottle.

• LGP Classic 10:10 (10mg/mL THC : 10mg/mL CBD)
• LGP Classic 20:5 (20mg/mL THC : 5mg/mL CBD)
• LGP Classic 1:20 (1mg/mL THC : 20mg/mL CBD)
• LGP Classic CBD 50 (<0.2mg/mL THC : 50mg/mL CBD)

Innovation is always at the fore at LGP; they are heavily involved in clinical trials and further research to ensure they remain market leaders domestically and in emerging export markets.

CBD extract reviews –  some final thoughts

While there are many online options to purchase CBD oil, it’s important to remember that not all products are created equally.

Doing your due diligence and researching a brand is essential; reach out and ask questions, read about extraction methods, check lab reports, and compare prices.

There are green market vendors who provide very high-quality products that meet strict criteria.

FAQs

How much CBD oil should I take?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dosing CBD oil. It’s dependent on a variety of factors.

The best option is to discuss this with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical history and whether you take any other medications that may interact with the CBD oil. Also, it may be ineffective if you don’t get the dosing right [10].

In saying that, most people start taking between 1 to 50mg of CBD, depending on their doctor’s advice. For those starting out, it’s best to start low and go slow to find your unique dosage requirement.

Start by taking 1 to 5mg of CBD and slowly increasing the dosage daily to find what works best for your body.