What You'll Learn

  • The real difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate gummies β€” and when each makes sense
  • How to dose CBD gummies based on your body weight and goals
  • Why the ingredient list matters more than the CBD milligrams on the label
  • What Steve's Goods uses (organic tapioca syrup, fruit pectin) vs. what most brands use (corn syrup, gelatin)

I've been making CBD gummies for the better part of a decade. In that time, I've watched this category go from a novelty to the single most popular way people take CBD β€” and I've also watched the market flood with products that cut every corner imaginable.

This guide is what I wish every customer read before buying their first gummy β€” from us or anyone else. No fluff, no filler, just what you actually need to know to make a smart purchase.

What Are CBD Gummies, Actually?

CBD gummies are chewable edibles infused with cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp. They work the same way any edible does β€” you eat them, they go through your digestive system, and the CBD enters your bloodstream over 30-60 minutes. The effects typically last 4-6 hours, which is significantly longer than vaping or sublingual oils.

At Steve's Goods, every gummy contains 10mg of CBD per piece. We offer both full-spectrum (with trace legal THC ≀0.3%) and isolate (100% THC-free) versions.

The reason gummies dominate the market is simple: they taste good, they're pre-dosed, and you can take them anywhere without anyone knowing you're taking a supplement. No droppers, no measuring, no hemp taste.

Full-Spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum vs. Isolate

This is the single most important decision you'll make when choosing a gummy, and most guides make it more complicated than it needs to be.

Type Contains THC? Best For Steve's Goods Option
Full-Spectrum Yes (≀0.3%) Maximum benefit via the "entourage effect" β€” all cannabinoids working together Full Spectrum CBD Gummies
Broad-Spectrum No Want the entourage effect but need to avoid THC entirely Available in select formulations
CBD Isolate No Drug testing concerns, THC sensitivity, or wanting pure CBD only CBD Isolate Gummies

My honest recommendation for most people: start with full-spectrum. The trace amount of THC (under 0.3%) is not enough to produce any psychoactive effect, but it does contribute to what researchers call the "entourage effect" β€” cannabinoids working synergistically to produce better results than CBD alone.

If you're subject to drug testing at work or have a personal reason to avoid THC completely, go with isolate. No judgment β€” that's exactly why we make both.

How to Dose CBD Gummies

Dosing CBD is not an exact science, and anyone who tells you "take exactly X milligrams" doesn't understand how individual body chemistry works. That said, here's a starting framework based on thousands of customers' experiences:

Body Weight Start Here Moderate Dose That's...
Under 150 lbs 10-20mg 20-30mg 1-3 gummies
150-200 lbs 15-25mg 30-40mg 2-4 gummies
Over 200 lbs 20-30mg 40-50mg 2-5 gummies

Start at the low end. Give it a full week of consistent daily use before adjusting. CBD builds in your system over time, and you may find that a lower dose works better after a week than a higher dose did on day one.

Most of our customers settle between 20-30mg daily (2-3 gummies). Some take them in the morning for focus and calm, others before bed for sleep support. Experiment with timing to find what works for your body.

Why Ingredients Matter More Than CBD Content

Here's where I get on my soapbox, because this is the thing most guides ignore entirely.

Two gummies can both say "25mg CBD" on the label. One uses organic tapioca syrup, fruit pectin, and natural flavoring. The other uses corn syrup, gelatin, artificial colors, and artificial flavoring. The CBD content might be identical, but what you're putting in your body is radically different.

What Steve's Goods Uses:

  • Organic tapioca syrup β€” Our primary sweetener. Lower glycemic index than corn syrup, cleaner ingredient profile.
  • Fruit pectin β€” Plant-based gelling agent instead of gelatin. This is what makes our gummies vegan.
  • Natural flavors β€” Real fruit-derived flavoring. Pineapple, Blue Razz, Strawnana.
  • Sugar coating β€” Light sugar coat for texture and taste.

What Most Competitors Use:

  • Corn syrup β€” Cheap, high glycemic, inflammatory
  • Gelatin β€” Animal-derived, not vegan-friendly
  • Artificial colors β€” Unnecessary chemicals for visual appeal
  • Fillers and preservatives β€” Extended shelf life at the cost of quality

When you see a gummy selling for $0.20 each and ours are $0.50-$0.71 each, this is why. The ingredients cost more. We could switch to corn syrup and gelatin tomorrow and double our margins. We don't.

CBD gummies and fresh fruit on a table

What to Look for When Buying CBD Gummies

Whether you buy from us or someone else, run every product through this checklist:

  1. Third-party lab testing β€” Can you access COAs (Certificates of Analysis) for the specific batch? Not a generic report from two years ago β€” the actual batch you're buying. At Steve's Goods, every batch is tested and results are on our Lab Reports page.
  2. Ingredient list β€” Read it. If you can't pronounce half the ingredients, keep looking.
  3. CBD per gummy β€” Not "per serving" where a serving is 3 gummies. You want to know exactly what you're getting per piece.
  4. Spectrum type β€” Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. If the label doesn't specify, that's a red flag.
  5. Hemp source β€” US-grown hemp has stricter agricultural standards. We use Colorado-grown hemp.
  6. Company track record β€” How long have they been in business? Steve's Goods has been operating since 2016.

CBD Gummies for Sleep

If sleep is your primary goal, consider gummies with additional sleep-supporting cannabinoids. Our CBN Gummies combine CBD with cannabinol (CBN), a cannabinoid specifically associated with sedative effects.

CBN works differently than melatonin. Rather than forcing drowsiness, it promotes relaxation that makes falling asleep feel natural. Many customers who found melatonin made them groggy the next morning report better results with CBN gummies.

Take CBN gummies 30-60 minutes before bed. Start with one gummy and adjust from there.

Ready to Try CBD Gummies?

Third-party lab tested. Vegan. Organic tapioca syrup. Made in Louisville, KY since 2016.

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How CBD Gummies Compare to Other Formats

Format Onset Duration Best For
Gummies 30-60 min 4-6 hours All-day relief, sleep, ease of use
Oils/Tinctures 15-30 min 2-4 hours Fast onset, flexible dosing
Concentrates/Dabs 1-5 min 1-3 hours Immediate relief, experienced users
Topicals 15-30 min 3-5 hours Localized pain/inflammation

Gummies are the slowest to kick in but deliver the longest-lasting effects. If you need immediate relief, concentrates are your best option. For sustained daily support, gummies are hard to beat.

Potential Side Effects

CBD is well-tolerated by most people, but some may experience mild effects including dry mouth, drowsiness (especially at higher doses), appetite changes, or mild stomach discomfort when starting out. These typically resolve as your body adjusts.

If you take prescription medications, talk to your doctor before adding CBD gummies to your routine. CBD can interact with certain medications, particularly those metabolized by the liver's CYP450 enzyme system (common with blood thinners and some heart medications).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will CBD gummies get me high? β–Ό

No. Even our full-spectrum gummies contain ≀0.3% THC β€” far below the amount needed to produce any psychoactive effect. Our isolate gummies contain zero THC.

How many gummies should I take per day? β–Ό

Most of our customers take 2-3 gummies daily (20-30mg). Start with one and increase gradually. There's no official "maximum," but most people find diminishing returns above 50mg per day.

Are your gummies lab tested? β–Ό

Every single batch. We test for cannabinoid content, potency, pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents through independent third-party labs. Results are available on our Lab Reports page.

Can I travel with CBD gummies? β–Ό

Domestically within the US, yes β€” hemp-derived CBD with ≀0.3% THC is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. International travel varies by country. Always check local regulations before traveling with any CBD product.

Will CBD gummies show up on a drug test? β–Ό

Isolate gummies (THC-free) should not cause a positive result. Full-spectrum gummies contain trace THC (≀0.3%), which could theoretically accumulate with heavy daily use. If drug testing is a concern, stick with our isolate gummies.

SS
Steve Schultheis
Founder of Steve's Goods. Making CBD products in Colorado since 2016. Featured in OK! Magazine, HBO, Fox News, and NBC.