After getting its start in 2011, Green Roads has become the leading manufacturer and distributor of CBD products in the industry. With its impressive catalog of products (all of which are pharmacist formulated and third-party tested) and its dedication to using only the highest quality natural ingredients and cannabidiol, it’s no wonder that Green Roads has earned its reputation. But is all the hype justified? Read on to find out in our in-depth review of Green Roads.
Green Road CBD Products
Pros & Cons
About Green Roads
Green Roads was founded in 2011 and began putting products on the market in 2012, but its story really began in 1993, when the company’s eventual founder Arby Barroso suffered a devastating injury to his hip and femur. He was hospitalized for a month and underwent multiple surgeries. Armed with powerful painkillers, Barroso was able to recover.
Unfortunately, in 2001 Barroso suffered a repeat injury to his hip, causing him to rely once again on painkillers. Barroso continued to use the pills even after his surgery and eventually became addicted to prescription painkillers. After being arrested in 2010 for prescription drug abuse, Barroso decided to turn his life around. This is when he discovered CBD as an alternative for pain management, and he was able to leave the opioids behind.
After seeing what a difference CBD made in his own life, Barroso began connecting with other CBD users and became deeply involved in the industry in Colorado. This inspired him to create Green Roads with pharmacist and co-founder Laura Fuentes.
Green Roads was the first company in the U.S. to have licensed pharmacist formulated CBD products and has since become an industry leader with more than a million online customers and products in over 5,000 retail stores. As a result, Green Roads was ranked in the Top 10 Hemp Brands in the United States by Forbes in 2017.
The company utilizes certified organic hemp plants of the highest quality (all free of pesticides and GMOs) to create its products as well as a thorough processing procedure that extracts the purest cannabinoids possible, leaving behind the THC. All of Green Roads’ products are also rigorously tested by an individual third party, Evio Labs, throughout the entire process and before the final products are released.
The Green Roads mission is centered around “inspiring hope and restoring happiness” and providing safe, healthy, effective alternatives to both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The company is also partnered with Mission Zero, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to ending U.S. veteran suicide and treating PTSD.
With a personal understanding of how CBD can transform lives and the company’s proven efforts to create top-notch products for people of all needs, Green Roads consistently demonstrates why it has become the leader of the CBD industry.
What Makes Green Roads Different?
There’s no question that Green Roads is a huge player in the CBD industry, but what put it on the map?
Of course, one of the biggest pluses is the sheer size of their product line. There is sure to be something for each person’s unique needs and tastes. But Green Roads goes above and beyond their catalog to show their customers exactly why their products are some of the best around.
Green Roads has been very transparent about their process, from sharing their step-by-step procedure and the science behind how they make their CBD products to posting the lab sheets for every product on their site. They are also dedicated to educating consumers in many aspects of CBD, not only in what CBD is but also in the compliance and safety standards and legality of their products.
Both seasoned CBD users and those who are just learning about CBD certainly appreciate the wealth of information that Green Roads makes available. The company provides a detailed breakdown of what CBD is, its benefits, how CBD products are formulated, and the different types of CBD products.
Green Roads also has a section on their website dedicated to their method, which takes certified organic hemp grown in Colorado without pesticides or GMOs and processes it through supercritical CO2 extraction, producing the purest, solvent-free and THC-free isolates possible. The isolates then go on to be formulated by the Green Roads licensed formulating pharmacist. Throughout the entire process, each Green Roads component and product is tested numerous times by Evio Labs, an independent third party lab, ensuring unbiased and accurate results.
Speaking of results, Green Labs also openly shares the lab sheets for each product directly from Evio Labs. This empowers users of CBD products to understand what they are putting in or on their bodies.
Green Roads also goes to great lengths to discuss their efforts to stay abreast of CBD industry compliance, such as adding QR codes on all their product packaging that links back to the lab sheets in order to maintain compliance with Indiana’s legislation. Green Roads complies with the Agricultural Act of 2014, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, and Section 763 of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2016.
Also to be found on the Green Roads website is a page dedicated entirely to examining the legality of CBD and some of the complexities that arise within the discussion of CBD use in the United States, as well as what the future may hold for the hemp industry in regards to the 2018 Farm Bill. They also have a clickable map that provides more information on each state’s individual stances on CBD.
Green Roads clearly goes above and beyond not just in their rigorous creation and testing process for their many products, but also in their education efforts.
The Products
With an impressive catalog of products and a thorough process that claims to produce the “safest, cleanest, and purest CBD extract available today,” it’s no wonder that so many customers turn to Green Roads (GR) for their CBD needs. But how do these products actually hold up? Keep reading and see what we discovered.
Green Roads CBD Oil (Broad Spectrum)
Green Roads offers several broad-spectrum CBD oil options in a variety of sizes to meet different needs. It appears that all Green Roads CBD oils are broad spectrum, which means that they contain all cannabinoids found in hemp except for THC.
THC is the element that produces a high and shows up on drug tests. All Green Roads products are extracted from 100% industrial hemp which contains non-detectable THC, and any traceable amounts of THC that do appear are removed entirely during the extraction process.
Green Roads CBD oils and other products are a great option for those who don’t want to dabble with TCH or can’t have THC in their systems for legal or work-related reasons but still want the full benefits of CBD.
All Green Roads CBD oils are produced with pharmaceutical-grade CBD and kosher-grade vegetable glycerin, and each package comes with a dropper for easy dose measurement and distribution. The oil can be taken sublingually by placing the drops under the tongue, or it can be put into food or drink. Green Roads also offers a daily dose packaging option, which provides a pre-filled dropper of either the 350mg, 1000mg, or 1500mg formulas for even easier, on-the-go access.
We decided to give the original Green Roads sublingual product a shot. This 350mg CBD oil was the first one created by Green Roads, and it’s considered to be a perfect medium with 23mg per 1ml dropper. Smaller doses may not be enough to do the trick for various ailments, but we found that this formula was able to greatly soothe anxiety (especially while flying!) and help several of us get a full night of sleep. It even helped with some minor aches and pains.
Unfortunately, some of the dose sizes are only available in 15ml, 30mg, or 60ml sizes, with no option to choose what size of bottle you prefer. And the oils are not flavored, so if the taste of pure CBD is not your cup of tea, you may want to try one of the CBD terpene options provided by Green Roads.
Green Roads CBD Edibles
Edibles are gaining popularity in the CBD industry, and Green Roads has certainly capitalized on that trend with their own line of CBD edibles.
With products of varying shapes, sizes, doses, and flavors, Green Roads infuses their classic CBD formula into every treat. And as with all Green Roads products, every edible is non-GMO, THC-free, third-party tested, and pharmacist formulated.
For a convenient single dose option, Green Roads offers gummy bears, gummy fruits, and gummy toads packaged in typical supplement-style bottles. They all provide 10mg of CBD per serving, with the gummy bears and fruits packaged into 30 pieces per bottle and the gummy toads into 40 pieces per bottle. The gummy bears, fruits, and toads are also available in easy on-the-go packaging with five gummies per package at 10mg per gummy.
The CBD Froggies are the Green Roads flagship edible product. With four gummy froggies in a bag at 25mg or 50mg a pop, they’re a handy option for those who want a little more CBD in an easy to grab and consume format. The 25mg froggies also come in a sour flavor. These edible CBD froggies are available in a single package with a single dose (25mg) option or double dose (50mg) option.
A particularly unique offering from the Green Roads edible collection is their Sleepy Zs gummy snack. This edible comes with 50mg of CBD and is also infused with melatonin to encourage a deep, restful sleep.
One of the newest products in the company’s edible repertoire is their Fruit and Hemp fruit chews that come in strawberry and grape flavors. In addition to 25mg of CBD, this delicious snack is also made with natural organic agave and strawberry or grape for a juicy, fruity flavor.
For another extra tasty edible, Green Roads has created the Terp Toads, a gummy snack produced with CBD and terpenes. It comes in three flavors: Pineapple Express, Strawberry AK, and Blueberry OG.
We grabbed a bottle of the CBD gummy bears and tested them out over the course of several days. While they certainly still had the soothing effects of the CBD oil, our favorite thing about this product was the convenience. Most of us simply took one gummy first thing in the morning with our other multivitamins and supplements. It helped to reduce anxiety and joint pain during the day. Some also ate another gummy at the end of the day for better sleep.
Green Road CBD Capsules
Green Roads currently offers one CBD capsule product for those who need a longer-lasting CBD dose or those who simply don’t care for the flashy edible options. The capsules contain 25mg of CBD each with 30 capsules per bottle.
The capsules provided a longer lasting effect for most of us, distributing the dosage throughout the day as the body digested it. It was on par with the other Green Roads products in terms of establishing a calmer mood and easing pain, including some digestive discomfort.
Like the edibles, it was easy to take in conjunction with other supplements. There was no need for a dropper or to measure an exact dose. For those who don’t like the taste of CBD or terpenes, this virtually flavorless option is a great choice.
Green Roads CBD Terpenes Oil
The flavor of natural CBD is not for everyone. Green Roads has a line of CBD terpene oils that provide all the benefit CBD oil with the great flavors of terpenes. Anyone who prefers taking CBD sublingually but prefers a kick of flavor will likely find something to suit their palette among the Green Roads CBD terpene oils.
Green Roads offers flavors such as Strawberry AK, Sour Diesel, Original Nectar, Pineapple Express, Blueberry OG, and Tange OG. The daily dose droppers are also available in the three Green Roads flagship flavors: Strawberry AK, Pineapple Express, and Blueberry OG.
We took the Sour Diesel CBD terpenes for a spin and enjoyed the subtle flavor. The flavor was simply an added benefit to the otherwise consistent positive effects that we’ve already experienced with other Green Roads products.
Because the bottles are not very big (just 7mg per serving in a 15ml bottle) there is potential to go through the product very quickly if you need larger or more frequent dosesGreen Roads CBD Lotion and Cream
Most are familiar with the idea of ingesting CBD in some form, whether it be in a dropper, an edible, or a capsule, but Green Roads also creates topical products such as pain relief creams and lotions.
The Green Roads pain cream, which contains CBD and menthol, can be used to soothe muscle and joint discomfort from the outside in. The CBD skin relief cream also contains all-natural ingredients such as vitamin E, grape seed oil, and other essential oils to reduce inflammation and calm irritated skin.
We tested the 150mg strength pain cream on various ailments from arthritis to stiff muscles every four to six hours as recommended. In some cases, the soothing effects started almost immediately and lasted for several hours. The chamomile extract and lavender oil within the cream also provided a pleasant, mild scent.
Green Roads CBD Syrup
Another unique product offering from Green Roads is their CBD Soothe Syrup. The syrup is infused with CBD and 10mg of melatonin to encourage a great night of sleep. It comes in strawberry, mango, and grape flavors.
Our experience with the strawberry CBD Soothe Syrup was positive. The flavor is on the mild side and most of us were sound asleep within twenty minutes with almost no restlessness or tossing and turning. And thanks to the deep peaceful sleep, we were able to wake up with minimal morning grogginess.
Green Roads CBD Oil For Pets
CBD oil has many proven benefits for humans, but Green Roads hasn’t forgotten about our furry friends. All humans have an endocannabinoid system in their bodies, which is how CBD interacts with us and affects us. Other mammals also have this endocannabinoid system, including dogs and cats, which makes them privy to the benefits of CBD as well.
Green Roads’ KingKalm CBD oil for canines is made from the same high-quality CBD as all other Green Roads products as well as omega-3 rich krill and lavender extract for flavor. It comes in a bottle with a dropper, so you can easily add CBD to your dog’s food or water, or place it directly into its mouth. The product claims to help reduce anxiety, boost energy and alertness, decrease pain, and even reduce seizures.
We tried KingKalm with our canine companions who had separation anxiety issues and arthritis from old age. After a few doses, the pooch with separation anxiety was noticeably calmer and our older friend was able to move around more easily and even experienced a boost in energy.
The biggest challenge comes from the dropper. Not all animals are excited about taking medicine from a dropper, so it can be a chore to make sure the right amount is getting to your pet.
Green Roads CBD Concentrate (Crystals And Shatter)
While most Green Roads products contain broad-spectrum CBD, they do offer some CBD isolate options in the form of crystals and shatter. Both are made with 99.9% pure CBD isolate and all-natural terpenes. These pure forms of CBD can be consumed directly, used in conjunction with other CBD products, or infused into food and drink.
Green Roads offers 250mg and 1000mg options of flavorless pure dab crystals and 450mg packages of flavored shatter. The Grandaddy Purp flavor comes from the Indica strain of cannabis, Super Lemon Haze and Pineapple Express from the Sativa strain, and Tange OG from a hybrid strain of Indica and Sativa. Again, all Green Roads products including these crystals and shatters are THC-free.
Our experience with the 1000mg CBD dab crystals was pleasant overall. It produced similar soothing effects as other Green Roads products, though some of us felt that they were less pronounced. As a powder, it mixed easily into food or smoothies but wasn’t entirely water soluble.
Green Roads CBD Infused Coffee And Tea
CBD has many health benefits on its own, as do coffee and tea, but put them together and you get a truly powerful combination of the best stuff nature has to offer. Green Roads has done this with their CBD infused coffee (both regular and decaf) and tea. These options allow customers to enjoy their favorite beverages while still incorporating CBD in their routines in an effortless manner.
The Green Roads coffee is produced from the company’s classic CBD formula and a bold African-based roast. Thanks to the CBD, drinkers of this coffee are able to enjoy caffeine without the edge. The decaf option is sourced from a small village in Colombia for a rich flavor. For those who favor tea, Green Roads offers a soothing CBD chamomile loose leaf tea infused with flowers, vanilla, and peppermint.
Being coffee lovers, we had to try out the regular CBD coffee. Most of us enjoyed the bold but not overwhelming flavor. It provided a much-needed morning burst of energy and clarity with minimal jitters.
Overall
With such a wide variety of products from basic oils to the fancy edibles and beverages, Green Roads clearly knows how to please almost every customer.
The detailed explanation of each and every step in the process on their website shows their dedication to creating the highest quality products possible. Their openness about all things CBD including the legal and safety concerns and their willingness to post the lab results for every product demonstrates how passionate Green Roads is about the CBD industry as a whole—not just their own company—and that they truly value having well-informed customers.
It’s impossible to go wrong with Green Roads products no matter what your unique needs may be or where you are in your CBD journey. While the price tag on some products may seem daunting at first, the quality is worth it. And because every item is free of THC, everyone can enjoy the benefits of CBD without the risk of exacerbating other conditions or putting their job on the line.
After testing many Green Roads products, it’s safe to say that they stick to their word. It’s clear to see why Green Roads is at the top of the pack in the CBD industry, and it looks like they’re here to stay.
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