Making False CBD Claims Could Land You In Big Trouble With The FDA

Last week, the FDA issued a record seven warning letters to CBD companies that had made exaggerated medical claims on CBD’ therapeutic potential, most had to do with the COVID-19 virus. This is the first time that the regulatory authority has issued so many warning letters at once, but it may not be the last.

In the past, the FDA has cautioned CBD companies against making any medical claims relating to the cannabinoid. Last year, the FDA issued a stern warning against companies that were trying to profiteer from the opioid crisis. Specifically a warning was sent out to BIOTA Biosciences which was selling injectable CBD with curcumin as an alternative to opioids. Another warning was also sent to Nature’s Pure CBD for making claims that their CBD had alleviated opioid dependency withdrawal symptoms on their website.

The FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner, Amy Abernethy, said in a statement that “CBD has not been shown to treat opioid addiction. Opioid addiction is a real problem in our country, and those who are addicted need to seek out proper treatment from a health care provider.”

Last week, the FDA together with the Federal Trade Commission made a similar move against CBD companies that were making claims related to the treatment of COVID-19. This time round, the regulators issued 7 warning letters at once to CBD companies.

Earlier this year, the internet was awash with claims that CBD and other cannabinoids can “cure the corona virus.” This was after a number of studies linked cannabinoids to the ill-famed virus. One study showed that CBDA and CBGA can prevent the COVID-19 virus from entering the cell hence prevent infection.

While these claims were not pure hogwash, the FDA has cautioned against “using research studies to claim or imply misleadingly that their CBD products will cure, mitigate, treat or prevent COVID-19.” Consequently, they have issued warning letters to the following “guilty” parties:

• Curegarnics
• Heaven’s Organics
• Functional Remedies dba Synchronicity Hemp Oil
• Greenway Herbal Products
• CBD Social
• UPSY LLC
• Nature’s Highway

These companies were ordered to rid their websites of misleading posts on the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Apart from issuing the warning letters, the FDA also asked Congress make changes to a 1994 law that regulates dietary supplements such as hemp-derived CBD. This change will make it possible for the FDA identify dangerous and illegal supplements and to take action against companies that market products unlawfully.

The CBD market is highly unregulated and consequently many CBD companies are guilty of making exaggerated medical claims that allow them to profiteer at the expense of gullible patients. While there are several studies that have shown significant potential of CBD and other cannabinoids against a wide array of medical conditions, larger randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings. So far, the FDA has only approved one CBD-based drug as medicine, which is Epidiolex. Therefore, this should serve as a stern warning to all CBD companies that have been engaging in this malpractice.