CBD is now available in many forms, including bath bombs, fruit gummies, coffees, and even dog treats. It has been touted as a stress reliever, analgesic, and memory-enhancer. But what is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a chemical in the cannabis plant. But unlike THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, it does not produce a feeling of intoxication. Instead, users experience a sort of “body high,” not a mind-altering one. “Physically, it’s like taking a warm bath, melting the tension away,” said Gabe Kennedy, founder of Plant People, a leading manufacturer.
Although there is little evidence that CBD is effective for most of the conditions that it is marketed for, some users report that it can be used as a treatment for ailments as diverse as inflammation, pain, acne, anxiety, insomnia, depression, post-traumatic stress and even cancer.
The CBD market is expected to top $23.6 billion by 2025, up from $3.9 billion in 2018. “It’s hot, everywhere and yet almost nobody understands it,” said New York advertising executive and a board member of Dosist, an industry leader.
CBD MISREPRESENTATIONS
Consumers have already spent hundreds of millions of dollars on this cannabis compound. But most is sold without any government regulations or oversight. This enables manufacturers and distributors to misrepresent the amount of CBD contained in the products and their health benefits.
A 2017 study demonstrated that less than a third of 84 CBD products tested contained the amount of CBD advertised on their labels. The FDA has reported that many CBD sellers advertise unsubstantiated health benefits, warning consumers to “beware purchasing and using such products.”
CBD WARNING!
According to a study published this month in Forensic Science International, several products from a leading brand of CBD vaping liquids contain a chemical, 5F-ADB, that has been linked to emergency room admissions and even death. The compound was found in products manufactured by Diamond CBD and has a proven risk of causing paranoia, panic attacks, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and even death. The DEA has classified 5F-ADB as a Schedule I drug that has no medical purpose.
These Diamond CBD products are advertised as having “100% natural CBD extracts,” but that representation is far from true. In addition to finding 5F-ADB, researchers also discovered amounts of dextromethorphan (“DXM”), an ingredient in cough medicines sold over the counter in drugstores. In large quantities, DXM can also lead to abnormal heartbeat, sedation, hallucinations and a sense of euphoria.
Although some states currently regulate CBD as part of their recreational or medical cannabis programs, the industry is largely self-policing, “there is going to be opportunity for abuse that is really going to put public health and public safety at risk,” said Michelle Peace, the researcher who led the study.
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If you or someone you know purchased CBD products and is concerned that the products may not contain the amount of CBD as advertised, please contact us for a free evaluation. We at Shub Law specialize in product mislabeling and consumer protection lawsuits. Let’s get justice! Contact us now via email at leads@shublawyers.com or give us a call at 856-772-7200.
