The FDA recently released a report to Congress on the contents of CBD products titled, “Sampling Study of the Current Cannabidiol Marketplace to Determine the Extent Products are Mislabeled or Adulterated”. According to the FDA report, they tested many CBD products from 2014-2020 and those products did not contain what their labeling claimed was in the bottle.
Highlights of the FDA report were:
- FDA tested 78 cannabis products from 2014-2018
- 67 contained CBD, 2014: 8 of 23 products tested had CBD consistent with labeling
- Two products referred to DEA for high THC, synthetic THC content
- FDA tested 34 products in 2019
- 31 tested positive for cannabinoids, 7 had CBD within 20% of what was noted on the label
- 2020 short term testing
- 147 products tested, 138 had CBD
- 18% contained less than 80 % indicated
- 45% contained CBD within 20% indicated
- 37% contained more than 120% indicated
- 49% had THC/THCA above the LOQ, “highest 3.1mg/serving”
- Limited sample size of CBD market, more long-term testing needed of multiple retail sources
If you've taken classes through Route 961 or followed us for some time, this report should come as no surprise. This report didn't surprise many in the cannabis industry, many of whom have asked the FDA for stringent standards and accountability to the hemp industry that is sorely lacking any. Please see this link to the 2020 CBD FDA Report.
Not included with this report is the lack of testing for Novel Psychedelic Substances. There have been reports of CBD products laced with synthetic marijuana or cathinones. People who ingested these CBD products suffered serious side effects and later found out they ingested novel drugs they had no intention of taking, such as the article here. Our colleagues who work in drug testing have told Route 961 they have come across tainted CBD products during their analytical testing.
The FDA has planned more long-term testing to Congress on more CBD products sold in stores and online. The FDA was tasked by Congress to have standards and enforcement in place by March 2020, but they haven’t completed that task yet. Expect the FDA to come down with rules and regulations for the CBD industry once they complete their full analysis.