Expert's opinion
The article is a subjective view on this topic written by writers specializing in medical writing.
It may reflect on a personal journey surrounding struggles with an illness or medical condition, involve product comparisons, diet considerations, or other health-related opinions.
Although the view is entirely that of the writer, it is based on academic experiences and scientific research they have conducted; it is fact-checked by a team of degreed medical experts, and validated by sources attached to the article.
The numbers in parenthesis (1,2,3) will take you to clickable links to related scientific papers.
Best CBD Oil Canada: Top 5 CBD Brands 2024 & Where To Buy
Updated on
- Written by Kate Barrington, Health Expert
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
All articles are produced independently. When you click our links for purchasing products, we earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about how we earn revenue by reading our advertise disclaimer.
CBDNorth
- Canada-grown hemp source
- Third-party lab testing
- Assistance available for customers in need
CBDMagic
- Wide variety of affordable CBD products
- Shop by intended benefit
- Free shipping and money-back guarantee
resolveCBD
- Full-spectrum CBD oils
- Organic ingredients and healthy carrier oils
- Save 20% with a subscription
Cannabidiol or CBD has been touted as an all-natural remedy for a variety of ailments ranging from seizures to pain relief. CBD products have become increasingly popular and now take various forms, including CBD oil, edibles, topicals, and vape pens. As its popularity spreads, CBD products have become readily available, but it’s important to establish the legality of CBD where you live before you buy.
The 2018 Farm Bill[1] made CBD federally legal in the United States, though individual states have set some regulations of their own regarding sale and distribution. Cannabidiol was legalized in Canada in the same year-2018. It was included in the legislation that legalized cannabis (including tetrahydrocannabinol or THC products), though only government-licensed retailers are allowed to sell CBD products, and their growth, processing, and distribution are regulated.
Best CBD Oil Canada Wide On The Market In (April. 2024)
- CBDNorth – Editor’s choice
- CBDMagic – Runner Up
- resolveCBD – Best Variety
- Buy Mellow – Best Broad Spectrum
- Island Therapeutics – Most Transparent
Is CBD Oil Legal In Canada?
Interest in cannabis products has been growing around the world, including in Canada. CBD remains a controlled substance under the United Nations drug control conventions, but the Cannabis Act of 2018 legalized cannabis products, including CBD. The caveat is that Health Canada strictly controls the production, distribution, and sale.
While the government regulates the overall production of cannabis products, individual provinces and territories retain the freedom to determine how it is distributed and sold within their jurisdictions.
Growers of cannabis must possess one of two licenses: a cultivation license or an industrial hemp license. Having an industrial hemp license enables the grower to legally sell hemp seeds or hemp seed derivatives as well as flowering heads, leaves, and branches. To process and sell cannabis products, however, you must possess a processing license. Additional licenses may be required to import or export cannabis, including CBD products.
In Canada, hemp seed oil falls under the same restrictions unless it contains less than ten parts per million THC. Hemp seed oil is primarily used in Canada’s food, cosmetics, veterinary, and natural health industries.
Top 5 Best CBD Oils In Canada
CBDNorth
Easily one of Canada’s most well-known and well-trusted CBD brands, CBDNorth offers highly effective CBD products, including full-spectrum oils and CBD isolate.
- Canada-grown hemp source
- Third-party lab testing
- Assistance available for customers in need
- No money-back guarantee
- No subscription program
When it comes to quality CBD products, CBDNorth knows what they’re doing. From chronic pain relief to improving mental health, their products offer a wide range of benefits. This brand uses organic full-spectrum hemp extract and organic MCT oil to ensure a pure, clean CBD experience no matter which product you choose. Their full-spectrum oil comes in three concentrations: 500mg, 1000mg, and 2000mg.
No matter which CBD concentration you choose, you’ll receive a 50ml bottle complete with a dropper to ensure precise dosage. CBDNorth uses only Canadian-grown organic hemp, and all of their products are third-party lab tested with lab results available online. If you’re looking for additional products, this brand also offers CBD isolate oils, CBD creams, and gummies.
As one of the most well-trusted brands in the Canadian market, CBDNorth does its best to meet the needs of its customers. Not only do they offer free shipping on orders over $99, but customers in need can receive a discount of up to 45% through their CBD Assistance Program.
CBDMagic
Known for its high-quality CBD oil and world-class customer experience, CBDMagic is our second choice for the best brand in the Canadian market.
- Wide variety of affordable CBD products
- Shop by intended benefit
- Free shipping and money-back guarantee
- Somewhat pricey
From CBD capsules and tinctures to gummies and CBD-infused creams, CBDMagic offers a wide variety of options. Their products are categorized based on the intended use with options for chronic pain, sleep, and anxiety reduction. They also offer pet CBD products and products designed to address common skin conditions. All of their products are made with locally grown hemp and other all-natural ingredients.
Most CBDMagic products are full-spectrum CBD, but they do offer a selection of broad-spectrum CBD oil and pure isolates. The brand’s full-spectrum CBD oils range in concentration from 250 mg to 4000 mg, most of which are sold in 30ml bottles. Customers can choose from the natural hemp oil flavor or peppermint flavor. They also offer water-soluble CBD tinctures, which are ideal for first-time users.
Some of CBDMagic’s products are priced a little higher than the competition, but they do offer a subscription program for a discount. Plus, they offer free shipping on all orders in Canada.
resolveCBD
If you’re looking for a brand you can trust, look no further. Not only does resolveCBD offer an impressive variety, but all of its products are made with locally-grown hemp.
- Full-spectrum CBD oils
- Organic ingredients and healthy carrier oils
- Save 20% with a subscription
- No broad-spectrum CBD products
When consuming CBD, it’s beneficial to have a wide range of products to choose from. If you’re new to cannabis, a CBD gummy might be a good option, and CBD pills can save you the hassle of struggling with dosage. resolveCBD offers plenty of full-spectrum CBD products in a variety of forms to meet your needs. All of their products are made from CBD sourced from local farms, all tested by third parties with lab results available online.
resolveCBD’s full-spectrum CBD oil comes in a range of concentrations from 500 mg to 2000 mg. All of their oils come in 30 ml bottles with an easy-dosing dropper. This brand uses organic ingredients and healthy carrier oils to ensure potent results. Whether you’re treating anxiety or pain, or just looking to boost your immune system, this brand has you covered.
In addition to offering a wide variety of full-spectrum CBD oils and other products, resolveCBD offers free shipping on orders over $50 as well as 20% savings on subscriptions.
Mellow CBD
Though full-spectrum CBD may provide the entourage effect, some people prefer THC-free CBD oil options. Mellow CBD offers a wide range of choices, including broad-spectrum THC-free CBD oils.
- Broad-spectrum and CBD isolates
- Save 25% when you buy three products
- 60-day satisfaction guarantee
- Free shipping for orders over $120
The benefits of CBD are vast and varied, including benefits for immunity, mental health, and more. But if you want to enjoy the benefits of CBD without THC, broad-spectrum products may be the right choice. Mellow CBD offers a range of full-spectrum products, but they also have broad-spectrum oils and CBD isolates. This brand is also unique in that it offers cannabinoid drops that contain a broader range of cannabinoids, including CBD, CBG, and CBN.
Mellow CBD’s broad-spectrum CBD oils come in four concentrations from 500 mg to 4800 mg. All four formulations are made with broad-spectrum hemp extract and organic MCT oil. Mellow uses organically grown hemp and organic MCT oil to ensure premium quality and maximum potency. Their products are lab-tested for safety and come with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
To help you save money, Mellow CBD offers several options. You can purchase three products to save 25% or receive additional savings when you buy even more. They also offer free shipping on orders over $120 to anywhere in Canada.
Island Therapeutics
When shopping for CBD, it’s important to choose a brand you can trust. Island Therapeutics does its very best to be transparent with its customers, making them a great choice.
- Full-spectrum and THC-free products
- Great transparency about products
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Free shipping only over $200
- Fairly pricey by comparison
If you’re going to take CBD, you need to make sure it’s a high-quality product that has been processed safely. Island Therapeutics takes customer safety and satisfaction seriously. Not only does this company use hemp locally grown on Vancouver Island, but the rest of its ingredients are 100% organic and locally sourced. Island Therapeutics is also committed to being eco-friendly, and they do their research and development to make the best products.
When it comes to their products, Island Therapeutics offers both full-spectrum and CBD isolate tinctures. Their full-spectrum oils are ideal for treating chronic pain, anxiety, and more. They come in three concentrations, from 250 mg to 1,000 mg, all in 30 ml bottles. For a THC-free experience, try Island Therapeutics’ CBD oil tincture, available in the same three concentrations but at a lower price point.
All Island Therapeutics products are third-party lab-tested, and you can view the lab results online to verify them for yourself.
Why Do We Pick These CBD Oil Brands?
While cannabidiol is a natural compound that has the potential to provide numerous physical and mental health benefits, it’s still important to choose a high-quality product. In writing this review, we studied the various CBD suppliers in Canada to bring you our top picks.
Here are some of the factors we considered:
- Hemp source – We checked to make sure the brand used locally sourced hemp grown in Canada. To be legal in Canada, CBD goods should be derived from industrial hemp.
- Variety – We looked for brands that offered a wide variety of options, including broad- and full-spectrum choices as well as CBD isolates. We also looked for brands with gummies, capsules, and topicals for customer choice.
- Purity and potency – The efficacy of a CBD product varies depending on the concentration and dose, so we looked for companies that have a range of concentrations. We also checked for third-party lab results posted online.
- Satisfaction Guarantee – If you’re new to CBD, it’s important to have the peace of mind of a money-back guarantee. Many of the companies we chose offer satisfaction guarantees.
- Savings – Buying CBD can be pricey, so it helps when a company offers discounts on subscriptions or free shipping.
Though we’ve researched to bring you our top picks, the final decision is yours. Check out the options we’ve reviewed and consider which might be the best pick or choose another.
Benefits Of CBD Oil
Cannabidiol is most heavily concentrated in the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. A related cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is more highly concentrated in cannabis, Cannabis indica. While both have the potential to provide benefits for chronic pain, mental health, and more, CBD doesn’t have the psychoactive properties for which THC is known.
Some of the potential benefits of CBD include:
- Relief from chronic pain
- Support for mental health
- Reduction in seizure activity
- Improvement in sleep
- Addiction support
More study is required to understand the effects of CBD on the human body, but the results are promising. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved[2] a cannabis-derived medicine for two rare forms of epilepsy called Epidiolex. Read on to learn more about the scientific support for CBD in various applications.
Chronic Pain
Cannabis has been used as a natural remedy for pain for centuries, but there are still a limited number of human trials. Experts believe the effects of cannabis on chronic pain are related to the impact of cannabinoid compounds on the endocannabinoid system.[3] The endocannabinoid system is a biological signaling system consisting of cannabinoids produced within the body, as well as their enzymes and receptors all involved in physiological and cognitive processing.
CBD helps reduce inflammation and interacts with the neurotransmitters in the brain to modify the body’s pain response. Several countries have studied an oral CBD/THC spray called Sativex, which has been shown to treat pain[4] related to multiple sclerosis (MS).
Seizures
Most of the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of cannabis has to do with seizure activity. Experts don’t fully understand the mechanism through which CBD offers anticonvulsant properties, but some studies[5] suggest it may be related to CBD’s effect on neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain like GPR55 and 5-HT1a.
The only FDA-approved cannabis-derived medication is for rare forms of epilepsy like Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. A 2015 study[6] showed that, after 12 weeks of treatment, the cannabis-derived drug Epidiolex reduced seizure activity with only minor side effects.
Mental Health
Though the effects are still being studied, CBD has the potential to benefit various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. In a 2015 literature review,[7] preclinical evidence supported CBD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders. A 2019 Brazilian study[8] showed that a 300mg dose of CBD significantly reduced test anxiety.
Does CBD Oil Have Side Effects?
While CBD is generally considered safe, there is always the potential for side effects when putting something in your body. Though individual reactions may vary, side effects are typically mild. The most common side effects of CBD are diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, and changes in mood or appetite.
Different Types Of CBD Oil In Canada
One of the first things to think about if you want to purchase CBD oil is whether you prefer full-spectrum CBD oil or broad-spectrum CBD oil. Another option is pure CBD oil. But what’s the difference, and which one is right for you? The difference comes down to the natural compounds contained within the hemp extract.
All cannabis and hemp plants contain a wide array of natural plant compounds,[9] including cannabinoids, terpenes, and more. Full-spectrum oil is not processed to remove these additional compounds, so it contains both CBD and THC as well as the other beneficial compounds naturally found in the plant. Broad-spectrum CBD is processed to remove THC, though some products may contain trace amounts. CBD isolate is pure CBD – it contains none of the other compounds.
The health benefits of CBD oil may vary depending on the type of CBD oil you choose. While it’s largely a matter of preference, there is some evidence[10] to suggest that full-spectrum oils are more potent in terms of health benefits. This is due to the entourage effect, which suggests that the terpenes and other natural plant compounds found in cannabis work together to improve the efficacy of the final product.
CBD Oil Dosage
While CBD oil has been legal in Canada for several years, there is still limited scientific evidence regarding its use. This means there are no specific dosing guidelines. When taking CBD, it’s best to consult your doctor and start at a low dose until you see how your body reacts. From there, you can slowly increase the dosage until you achieve the desired effect.
Where To Buy CBD Oil In Canada?
Because cannabis products are legal in Canada for both medicinal and recreational use, there are many places you can find them. You can shop for CBD oil products online or in dispensaries if the distributor is properly licensed. To get started, check out the CBD oil Canada list we’ve compiled above with the top five brands in the country.
Final Thought
Whether you seek relief from pain, support for mental health issues, or improve general wellness, CBD could help. With so many different products on the market, it can be tough to find the right one for you. Luckily, we’re here to help.
The CBD companies we’ve reviewed above have all passed our test when it comes to quality, purity, and transparency. Consider the options we’ve selected and browse their selection to find the right CBD oil to suit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no standard dosage for CBD, and the effective dose may vary depending on what you’re trying to treat. It’s best to start with a low dose and work your way up, referring to your physician’s judgment throughout the process.
It may depend on how much CBD oil you take as well as your tolerance. The most effective way to consume CBD for pain is sublingual, as an oil or spray. You can generally expect to experience benefits after 15 to 45 minutes.
No. There are strict regulations on importing and exporting cannabis products, even for personal use and even if you’re authorized to use cannabis medicinally.
+ 10 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Abernethy, A. (2019). Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill. [online] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019.
- Office (2020). FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy. [online] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms.
- Mouslech Z;Valla V (2023). Endocannabinoid system: An overview of its potential in current medical practice. Neuro endocrinology letters, [online] 30(2). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19675519/.
- Russo, M., Rocco Salvatore Calabrò, Naro, A., Sessa, E., Rifici, C., Giangaetano D’Aleo, Leo, A., Rosaria De Luca, Quartarone, A. and Placido Bramantı (2015). Sativex in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis-Related Spasticity: Role of the Corticospinal Modulation. Neural Plasticity, [online] 2015, pp.1–6. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/656582.
- Orrin Devinsky, Maria Roberta Cilio, Cross, H., Fernández‐Ruiz, J., French, J.A., Hill, C.L., Katz, R., Vincenzo Di Marzo, Didier Jutras‐Aswad, Notcutt, W., José Martı́nez-Orgado, Robson, P., Rohrback, B.G., Thiele, E.A., Whalley, B.J. and Friedman, D.J. (2014). Cannabidiol: Pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Epilepsia, [online] 55(6), pp.791–802. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12631.
- Thiele, E.A., Marsh, E.D., French, J.A., Mazurkiewicz‐Bełdzińska, M., Benbadis, S.R., Joshi, C., Lyons, P.D., Taylor, A., Roberts, C., Sommerville, K.W., Gunning, B., Jacek Gawłowicz, Lisewski, P., Maria Mazurkiewicz Beldzinska, Szewczyk, K., Steinborn, B., Żołnowska, M., Hughes, E., McLellan, A. and Ciliberto, M.A. (2018). Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. The Lancet, [online] 391(10125), pp.1085–1096. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30136-3.
- Blessing, E., Steenkamp, M.M., Manzanares, J. and Marmar, C.R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, [online] 12(4), pp.825–836. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1.
- Marques, I., Antônio Waldo Zuardi, Pereira, L., Helena, R., Mechoulam, R., Francisco Silveira Guimarães and Alexandre, J. (2019). Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, [online] 41(1), pp.9–14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2017-0015.
- Marinotti, O. and Sarill, M. (2020). Differentiating Full-Spectrum Hemp Extracts from CBD Isolates: Implications for Policy, Safety and Science. Journal of Dietary Supplements, [online] 17(5), pp.517–526. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1776806.
- Sari Goldstein Ferber, Namdar, D., Hen-Shoval, D., Eger, G., Hinanit Koltai, Gal Shoval, Liat Shbiro and Weller, A. (2020). The ‘Entourage Effect’: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. Current Neuropharmacology, [online] 18(2), pp.87–96. doi:https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159×17666190903103923.
Written by:
Kate Barrington, Health Expert
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
