2022 Best CBD & Delta-8 brands: Southern California edition
According to a 2022 survey, 64% of US adults think CBD consumption is less dangerous than alcohol (Forbes Health). Cannabis culture is steadily taking its place in mainstream society and the conversation around the benefits of Mary Jane’s (mostly) legal little sister is lending a helping hand. CBD and Delta-8 products can be used for everything from anxiety to sore muscles. And while the medicinal properties of these hemp-derived extracts can be debated as research continues, the effects can be enjoyed in many forms while we wait. Here are the best forms from the best brands out there.#1 DELTA EXTRAX LIVE RESIN CART
Delta Extrax has live resin carts! Not sure what that “live resin” means? It’s the process of extracting cannabinoids from frozen Hemp plants. This results in more potent cannabinoids that include a better flavor, and are a lot closer to the original extract. That sounds complicated; all we need to know is that all of the plant’s original terpenes are preserved, it adds extra flavor, and the hemp oil extracted is as potent as it gets. Combine that with 2 Grams of Delta 8 THC, Delta 10, and THC-P cannabinoids, and Delta Extrax delivers one powerful - and flavorful - vaping experience. These cartridges are available in sative, indica, and hybrid strains, so there’s never a wrong time to enjoy.
Delta Extrax is passionate about educating the hemp consumer. Once you understand the similarities and differences between individual cannabinoids, it’s easy to find the perfect blend for your needs in one of Delta Extrax’s high-quality hemp-derived THC products. Every product comes with individual usage recommendations, and a complete rundown of the cannabinoids used and their effects.
Third party lab testing is available for all of Delta Extrax’s products.
#2 CANNA RIVER ULTRA TINCTURES
Canna River was launched in 2018 by two brothers who share a passion for providing consistent, affordable hemp wellness. Their original tinctures are great for potentially relieving aches, pains, aiding sleep, and more. Canna River combines satisfying flavors with premium hemp distillate and MCT oil, making these tinctures taste as good as they make you feel. Now they have launched a line of ultra high potency tinctures! These “Ultra'' tinctures have the same high quality ingredients as the originals but come in ultra strength; every 120 ml bottle contains 20,000mg of premium cannabinoids.
Perhaps you are ready to add to your CBD arsenal? Canna River has CBD in lotion and balm form, as well as a tincture just for your pet. You can also try their Delta-8 tinctures, gummies, and vapes. They even have an HHC vape pen that contains HHC distillate, hemp distillate & terpenes.
Family-run Canna River uses CBD extracted from non-GMO hemp grown in the USA. They select every ingredient they use with care and utilize reputable third-party labs to verify the potency and quality of their hemp extract.
#3 TILLMANS TRANQUILS CBD MINTS
Tillmans Tranquils puts “plants before pills” whenever possible. Understanding that CBD could help others and themselves in their everyday lives, the founders wanted to find an easier and better-tasting way to deliver the effects of CBD. Sticking to their ‘natural ingredient first’ ethos and maintaining a non-GMO, gluten-free profile wasn’t easy. But in 2019 Tillmans Tranquils CBD Mints were born. A lot of work goes into each of these little guys! Tillmans Tranquils use a cold mixing process to create the inner core of the mint because heat will decrease the potency of the CBD - as well as other active cannabinoids - and reduce its shelf life. The shell coating preserves the mint considerably longer than pressed tablet style mints that have no coating and are exposed to the elements. All of this attention to detail means Tillmans Tranquils mints work better and just taste good (and yes, they’re vegan).
Tillmans Tranquils also offers raw flower, and pre-rolls if you prefer to enjoy your CBD by smoking; or try their tasty gummies. All of their products come in CBD and Delta-8 varieties, so your experience is up to you.
#4 PLAIN JANE HEMP FLOWER
Many people know Plain Jane for their low-odor CBD hemp Cigarettes. As the stigma around cannabis dwindles, more and more consumers prefer to handle the hemp flower on its own. Plain Jane offers over 20 strains of flower sourced from more than 12 small farms. All of their hemp strains have been bred to have the highest CBD to THC ratios possible. Whether you want to grind and roll CBD buds into joints or smoke them from a bowl, Plain Jane has you covered.
Not into fiddling with papers or apparatus? Like we said, Plain Jane is known for their pre-rolls. Wrapped in all-natural plant-based rolling paper, they are designed to provide a slow-burning and enjoyable smoke. These CBD pre-rolls are great to de-stress after a long day and can leave you feeling blissful, relaxed, and calm. Maybe you want to fiddle with more apparatus? Try the CBD Kief, Crumble, and Shatter. Or you can simply enjoy the effects of premium CBD with traditional edibles and topicals. Plain Jane has something for everyone, from dab concentrates to gum and luxurious lotions.
Plain Jane works with dozens of small hemp farms that provide high quality greenhouse and outdoor flower with unique hemp genetics. They are strong believers in regenerative farming and sustainable practices.
#5 MEDPLEX VAPE POD
MedPlex takes CBD and Delta-8 (and Delta-10 and THCP) to the next level. Maybe the 26th level? If you’re one of those cannabis enthusiasts who isn’t afraid of an extremely powerful psychoactive experience, then the Formula26 THC vape pod is the right product for you. Formula26 guarantees the most powerful vaping experience by combining a proprietary, secret blend of delta-8, delta-10, THCP and Live Resin full spectrum terpenes. THCP is the world's most potent psychoactive cannabinoid. Scientists suggest the strength to be 33 times stronger than regular cannabis delta-9 THC. Don’t worry though, they come in both Sativa and Indica blends, so you can crush that creative project, or just crush your pillow feeling uplifted and calm.
Maybe the 26th level is just a little too high for you? MedPlex has something for everyone: hand-crafted artisan vegan semi-sweet THC chocolate bites infused with delta-8 THC extract, USDA organic flavoring and Live Resin full spectrum terpenes; a full range of gummies available in Delta 8 THC, Delta 10 THC and Formula26 THCP blends; as well as a complete line of CBD products.
MedPlex takes their cannabis seriously. They source in small batches from organically-certified European hemp farms, and third-party lab results for products are available on their website.
#6 CBD LION DELTA-8 GUMMIES
The family behind CBD Lion saw first hand the benefits of CBD and how it helped improve their quality of life - which is the main reason they started the company. They began sharing that knowledge in 2017 with their CBD products. They care about helping others feel better and improving their current lifestyle with hemp-derived products. While a lot of fanfare surrounds Delta-8 as an alternative to recreational THC, it could also be useful medicinally. CBD Lion’s Delta-8 vegan gummies are being used for better sleep and to help with arthritis. You can also just get a nice, mellow “high” without the actual THC.
CBD Lion’s focus has always been manufacturing effective, high quality products and educating people about hemp, terpenes, and the endocannabinoid system. From tinctures to topicals, everything is made with the highest quality cannabinoids to maximize the synergistic effects of cannabis for an even greater therapeutic benefit. The CBD LION founders have used their previous medical cannabis formulation expertise to create a product line consumers can trust.
CBD Lion is a small family owned and operated business whose products are made in the USA and manufactured in an ISO7 certified clean room to ensure all products are of the highest quality. Their products are two-time, third-party lab-tested.
#7 SISTERS OF THE VALLEY CBD SALVE
The Sisters of the Valley take the term “Weed Nuns” in stride - maybe with a hint of pride. They are not traditional Catholic or Anglican nuns. They are, “a newly born, new-age group of Sisters whose fundamental mission is to get plant-based medicine into the hands of those in need — and to do that in a responsible and sustainable manner.” Their founder, Sister Kate, began selling CBD products in 2015. Their Multi-Purpose CBD Salve is a 100% natural plant-based topical salve for pain relief and skin healing. The Sisters of the Valley make all their products by moon cycles, in a spiritual environment, with prayers for the people sewn into every bottle and jar.
The Sisters of the Valley’s mission is supported by their founding principles, which are to honor Mother Earth and her intelligent plant, provide a valuable product to the people, empower other women to succeed and participate in peaceful progressive activism.
The Sisters of the Valley create a full range of lab-tested CBD products, as well as mushroom coffee. Their hemp is organically grown in the Central Valley.
#8 RE+PLAY TOTAL BODY RECOVERY
re+PLAY is a performance based CBD wellness brand built with the combined knowledge and experience of athletes, doctors, and certified athletic trainers. It also has a former NBA star, an Ironman competitor, and an orthopedic surgeon as founders. But you don’t have to be a hard-core athlete to reap the benefits of re+PLAY’s Total Body Recovery cream. This water-based emulsion combines 250 mg of pure CBD with complementary natural active ingredients including menthol and eucalyptus essential oil for an immediate cooling sensation with a light scent. The daily use formula also contains terpenes including eugenol and beta-caryophyllene and is formulated to enhance delivery into deeper layers of skin.
re+PLAY is the first CBD partner of the National Basketball Players' Association (NBPA). The NBPA can now utilize the power of proprietary re+PLAY products to help themselves with their recovery and pain management.
re+PLAY products are made using a triple-tested process with hemp grown in the USA, and are free of heavy metals, pesticides, and harmful microbes.
A version of this article was first published on LA Weekly
