We recognize that navigating the world of Hemp products can be overwhelming. With countless options available, each boasting different qualities, effects, and potential benefits, making the right choice can be daunting.

While some products stand out as exceptional, many often fall short of expectations. Annoying AF? Yes. We agree!

This is where Nature and Bloom steps in.

Consider us your trusted guide, offering a magnifying lens into the world of CBD and other cannabinoids. We exist to serve you with transparent insights into the commendable, the mediocre, and the areas that need improvement in the cannabis industry.

We’ve explored the entire spectrum of brands and our mission is to share this wealth of knowledge and experience with you.

Armed with our insights, we aim to simplify your purchasing journey. Drawing from years of industry expertise and a foundation in scientific research, we present objective, well-researched opinions.

All our content is crafted by Industry professionals who appreciate the potential of Cannabis and we adhere to strict editorial standards to ensure consistency.

Our Approach

We understand Individual needs and believe in the uniqueness of each customer. Through detailed surveys, feedback forms, and direct interactions, we gather insights into our customers’ specific needs, ensuring our product recommendations are always on point.

We are committed to clear communication about the good and the bad. From product experience reports to customer support interactions, we ensure every piece of information is presented in a clear, easy-to-understand manner, fostering an environment of trust and transparency.

Our Team

The Nature & Bloom team is a collective of seasoned professionals deeply rooted in the cannabis industry.

We all hail from diverse backgrounds, with dedicated writers with a passion for cannabis education. Multiple members of our team have also worked in or are currently working in dispensaries.

We additionally also have the privilege of expertise from board-certified doctors specializing in cannabis, ensuring that our content is medically sound and research-backed.

With a blend of hands-on experience in the cannabis retail space, a commitment to spreading authentic knowledge, and a strong foundation in scientific research, our team embodies trust, expertise, and authenticity.

Together, we strive to provide transparent insights, ensuring our readers are well-informed and confident in buying what’s right for them along with learning more about the industry.

Product Review Process

Every brand and product undergoes a meticulous vetting process. We don’t just review any brand or product on the market. Initially, the team assesses if the company is a reputable brand in the space and if they’re doing what we expect from a lab testing and a product quality standpoint at a minimum. If it’s gear related, the team first assess brand reputation and related customer service policies.

Once we have established this baseline we usually buy the products from the brand(s) (although, we do sometimes receive free samples) and have them shipped to a reviewer who has no contact with the supplier in question.

Our allegiance is to our readers. We don’t favor brands based on partnerships or promotions. Every brand and product is selected based on its effectiveness, customer experience, and overall value.

From a reviewer’s perspective, products are received and their thoughts are published without external influence. We take pride in being clear and honest in our reviews, and you will likely notice we’re keen to address all and any shortfalls the reviewer has with the brand or products tested.

Nature and Bloom Rating System

The Nature and Bloom rating evaluation is exhaustive and criteria based. Beyond the basic quality checks, we consider factors like what kind of lab testing has been carried out, how this matches up with the labeling.

If the brand has any negative press, environmental issues, ethical production practices, and the poor customer experience policies, you can bet we will let you know.

Our Rating Scores Explained

Our commitment is first and foremost to our readers and the broader community. The weighted rating system we’ve adopted is a reflection of our dedication to providing the most accurate, comprehensive, and actionable insights into Cannabis and Hemp products.

By emphasizing categories like Compliance, Effects Felt, and Customer Experience, we prioritize the safety, efficacy, and overall consumer satisfaction of our readers.

While we try to physically test each every product we can, sometimes it’s just not possible. Where this is the case we’ll outline this on the review page.

We also supplement our opinion with that of other users, including by diving deep into Reddit and YouTube videos to combine direct user feedback channels. Where there is a divergence on opinion, we’ll always let you know and why we feel a certain way about something.

We understand that in the often confusing world of cannabis, every detail matters. Our rating approach ensures that products are not just evaluated on their basic merits but are scrutinized for their holistic contribution to the user’s well-being, trust, and value for money.

This in-depth method underscores our mission to uphold transparency, integrity, and the highest standards in all our reviews, ensuring that our readers always make informed decisions.

Note: Our latest rating system has been in place since November 2023. Any reviews produced prior this date are in the process of being updated in line with our latest testing methodology.

Rating Criteria and Weightings: Consumables

Usability: 15%. Factors considered: Ease of use, storage convenience, shelf life, and performance vs manufacturer claims.
Compliance: 25%. Factors considered: Transparency of COAs, labeling accuracy, third-party lab reputation, and consistency in product testing.
Effects Felt: 25%. Factors considered: Efficacy, potency, consistency and duration.
Customer Experience: 25%. Factors considered: Product assortment, money-back guarantees, customer support quality, website UX, accessibility, transparency, affordability, value proposition, shipping and refund policies, allergen friendliness.
Ethical and Sustainability: 5%. Factors considered: Eco-friendliness, fair trade assurance, and sustainability standards.
Education & Awareness: 5%. Factors considered: CBD knowledge and content readers can learn from.

Rating Criteria and Weightings: Devices

Usability & Effects: 60%. Factors considered: Ease of use, battery life and charging speed, portability, and actual performance vs manufacturer claims.
Customer Experience: 30%. Factors considered: Product assortment, money-back guarantees, warranty policies, customer support quality, website UX, accessibility, transparency, affordability, value proposition, shipping and refund policies.
Ethical and Sustainability: 5%. Factors considered: Eco-friendliness, use of recycled materials and sustainability standards.
Education & Awareness: 5%. Factors considered: Content readers can learn from on the website/product materials provided.

Final Score Calculation

To calculate the final score, multiply the score of each category by its respective weighting and then sum up the results. Each score is rated out of 5, with 5 being the highest score.

Example:

If a consumable product scores:

Usability: 4/5
Compliance: 4/5
Effects Felt: 3/5
Customer Experience: 4/5
Ethical and Sustainability: 4/5
Education & Awareness: 4/5

The weighted score would be:

Usability: 4 x 0.15 = 0.6
Compliance: 4 x 0.25 = 1
Effects Felt: 3 x 0.25 = 0.75
Customer Experience: 4 x 0.25 = 1
Ethical and Sustainability: 4 x 0.05 = 0.2
Education & Awareness: 4 x 0.05 = 0.2

Summing these up: 0.6 + 1 + 0.75 + 1 + 0.2 + 0.2 = 3.75

Thus, the product would have a weighted score of 3.75 out of 5.

This weighted rating system ensures that the most crucial aspects of a product, as deemed by Nature and Bloom and its readers, have the most significant impact on the final score.

Deep Diving into Our Product Testing Methodology

At Nature and Bloom, our commitment to providing you with the most reliable and comprehensive product reviews extends far beyond surface-level analysis. Here’s a glimpse into our rigorous testing process that ensures each product is scrutinized for its true worth:

1. Rigorous Scoring for Every Detail: Each product undergoes a meticulous evaluation across diverse criteria, from usability to effects, with a precise scoring system. Our aim is not just to rate but to dissect the product’s every aspect, offering you a complete picture.

2. Thorough Usability Checks: We don’t just look at how well a product works; we delve into how easy it is to use it. From the simplicity of opening packaging to the practicality of storage requirements, we ensure the products we recommend fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.

3. Comprehensive Compliance and Safety Assessment: Our reviews extend to in-depth compliance checks. This includes rigorous examination of Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and thorough vetting of third-party lab credibility. Safety and adherence to regulations are not just checkboxes for us; they are fundamental to our review process.

4. Efficacy and Reliability Evaluation: We rigorously test and retest to evaluate the product’s efficacy, potency, and consistency. Our goal is to confirm if the product delivers what it promises over time and under various conditions, ensuring you get what you expect.

5. Customer Experience and Service Analysis: We understand that your experience with a product extends beyond its physical use. Hence, we meticulously evaluate customer service, user accessibility, and overall brand responsiveness, reflecting our focus on your complete satisfaction.

6. Ethical and Environmental Responsibility: In our quest to support sustainable practices, we assess the ecological footprint of products, from packaging sustainability to ethical sourcing. We believe in promoting products that are kind to the planet and its inhabitants.

7. Educational Content Quality Check: We scrutinize the educational material provided by brands to ensure accuracy and clarity. Our commitment is to foster informed decisions through reliable and comprehensive information.

8. Transparent, Data-Driven Approach: Our scores and conclusions are always backed by data and thorough analysis. We pride ourselves on a transparent review process that leaves no stone unturned.

9. Real-World Testing for Practical Insights: We test products in real-life scenarios to ensure they meet your daily needs. This includes checking for allergen information, verifying label accuracy, and assessing the product’s real-world applications.

Our testing methodology is more than a process; it’s our pledge to you for authenticity, reliability, and trustworthiness in every review we publish. At Nature and Bloom, we’re not just reviewers; we’re your partners in navigating the complex world of cannabis products.

Nature & Bloom Product Evaluation Criteria

Useability & Performance

We assess products beyond their primary function. Factors like ease of use, storage convenience, and shelf life play a crucial role in our evaluation process.

When talking about gear, we look at how the device(s) perform compared to the claims the manufacturer makes and against its competition. For example, if we’re reviewing a dry herb vape, we will dive into its technical specs, battery performance, portability, flavor and effects delivered compared to its competition along with CX policies like returns/warranties.

When it comes down to consumables, we look at all components associated with the experience from end to end.

For example, if we’re reviewing edibles we will dive into the effectiveness of the gummies, in what state the edibles were received by the reviewer, the packaging and labeling accuracy compared to the latest certificates of analysis (COAs).

When talking about consumable performance, we assess if the product met the reviewers expectations. Comparing these consumables to other competitors and the duration of the effects.

Compliance

As consumers ourselves, we’ve found that compliance has often taken a back seat when reading CBD reviews. Yes. It’s boring. But, in our opinion, it’s more than essential and we’re here to change the status quo.

When it comes to Hemp, making sure you’re consuming safe and legitimate products is of our highest priority. So how do we differ from other reviews you might have read?

We don’t just look at a COA and outline that it’s available on the brands website. Each reviewer will personally review the COAs available, compare them to the product labeling and assess where the product sits in terms of transparency.

For example, if we’re reviewing a CBD tincture and find that the brand makes it difficult to find the COA, we’ll let you know and outline that it’s a little suspect how difficult it is to find it.

No one hides anything they’re proud of and if a brand makes it difficult to find these lab tests, it’s a big no no from us.

We also compare any COAs we find to the claims the brand makes on their product pages. For example, if they’re suggesting a CBD vape cartridge contains 500mg CBD but the COA suggests the last batch contain 191mg, you can bet we’re going to be shouting about this misstep.

Each reviewer has been briefed on how to read a COA and compare it to the product labeling. Including assessing if it’s a final product analysis, what tests have been carried out, are there batch labels (compared to the product labels tested), do QR codes lead to COAs.

We will also assess the third party lab reputation: Information about the reputation and credibility of the third-party labs used for testing. In addition to cross checking their testing consistency. Looking at if the brand consistently uses the same third-party labs for testing to ensure consistency or not.

However, we also understand that lab testing cannabinoids isn’t uniform (yet) across labs and as such testing accuracy needs to allow for some variation. Consequently, we allow for 10% variation from the product labeling without it being something we call out as a huge issue.

Effects Felt

If the cannabis consumables (flower, edibles, oils) you buy don’t offer you the effects you desire then regardless of everything else, it’s not something you will buy again.

Here, we focus on 5 primary factors

Efficacy: How effective was the product in giving you the feeling you wanted at your desired dosage?
Potency: How strong were the effects? Are they as potent as expected given the dosage? Is the product intoxicating?
Consistency: Does the product consistently deliver on giving you the desired outcome or does it vary regardless if you take the same dose?
Duration: Do the effects last as long as you expected?
Absorption: How quickly do you feel the effects? What’s the comparison of the onset to other administration methods?

The combination of these factors enables us to create a more comprehensive understanding of what kind of product is right for a specific individual.

When buying cannabis products, potency is a crucial element to consider. The potency of marijuana is primarily determined by its THC content, which induces the high.

For example, a beginner consuming an edible with more than 5mg THC will possibly struggle in social situations and as such we’d not recommend anything dosed higher. Conversely, for those with a high THC tolerance, even 20mg THC might feel light in terms of effects.

As such, we’ll always outline what kind of product is best for who. If you’re a newbie and reading one of our consumable reviews, you will just need to look for the tag where we mention it’s great for beginners, whereas those with high tolerances will be covered through a tag outlining a product best for high dosages.

Customer Experience

Here we look at policies that make the total experience simply more enjoyable. This focuses on the following mechanics:

Product assortment: Does the brand offer a wide range of products and options (flavors, concentrations, types, etc.) to cater to different preferences and needs?
Money back guarantees: Does the brand have any customer satisfaction policies which offer your money back if you’re unhappy?
Discount codes: Are there any discount codes available or are we able to get one to lower the cost for our readers?
Brand reputation: Does the brand have a positive reputation for these kinds of products or service(s)?
Helpful customer support: Do customer service agents help you with any questions or problems you may have?
Website UX: How user-friendly is the brand’s website? Is it easy to find products, information, and COAs?
Accessibility: Does the brand make an effort to be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities (e.g., website accessibility features)?
Transparency: Does the brand openly share insights into its operations, sourcing, and manufacturing processes?
Affordability: How affordable are the products, especially when compared to similar offerings in the market? What does this look like at an active ingredient level?
Value Proposition: Does the price justify the quality, quantity, and overall experience offered by the product?
Legal Status: Does the brand highlight the legal status and compliance of the products in various regions/states if using state level legal compounds like THC isomers?
Allergens: Does the brand cater to various dietary needs (e.g., gluten-free, vegan, allergen-free)?

Outside of these we will also assess and mention some other related brand factors including the below:

Accolades: Mention of any awards or recognitions that the product or brand has received in the industry.
Charity: Does the brand engage in charitable activities or support any social causes?
Brand Story: The history and evolution of the brand, which might influence product trustworthiness.
Ethical Practices: How does the brand ensure ethical practices in sourcing, manufacturing, and labor?

Continuous Review & Feedback Loop

Our work doesn’t end once a product is reviewed. As part of our editorial process we revisit content at least once a year to ensure it’s up to date.

Ethical and Sustainability Considerations

Our planet’s well-being is paramount. We prioritize products that have a minimal carbon footprint, from sustainable farming practices to biodegradable packaging.

Every product is a result of numerous hands working together. We ensure that all workers in the supply chain are treated fairly, paid adequately, and work in safe conditions.

Education & Awareness

Our content platform is a treasure trove of information. From the latest research on CBD benefits to DIY recipes and usage tips, we aim to be the go-to resource for all things related to Hemp.

We emphasize the importance of safe and informed consumption. Where relevant, content is medically reviewed by a physician with direct cannabis experience.

Including when discussing dosage guidelines, potential interactions, and contraindications are highlighted, ensuring our customers always have a safe experience.

Conclusion & Ongoing Commitment

Our rigorous processes, customer-centric approach, and unwavering commitment to quality set us apart. Nature and Bloom is more than just a platform; it’s a community built on trust.

Editorial Disclaimers

Nature and Bloom earn commissions from reviews through affiliate partnerships. Regardless, we’ll always inform you what we appreciate or dislike about a product and why. No matter what, being transparent and honest is woven within our DNA.
Nature and Bloom do not accept monetary offers in exchange for writing a review, regardless of the context. Nor do we accept any offers to edit our content to make a product or brand appear in a better light for marketing purposes. Such practices are against our editorial guidelines.
Occasionally, we obtain free samples from vendors for evaluation. This doesn’t influence our assessments. Our review team has no context about our brand partnerships and prioritizes unbiased, candid, and honest content.