In just over the past few years, C.B.D. has crept its way into every type of product on the market. People around the world have reported using C.B.D. for conditions ranging from anxiety to weight loss to pain management. Others are jumping on the bandwagon in purchasing various C.B.D. products just to see what all the hype is about.
Regardless of how or why consumers are choosing to use C.B.D., buyers should beware. There have been multiple cases of scammers out there who are making a living by tricking people into buying fake or harmful products claiming to contain C.B.D. As safety advocates, we believe in staying informed on all products that could adversely affect your health. These are the current C.B.D. facts and scams you should know before you make a purchase.
What is C.B.D.?
C.B.D., short for cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive primary component of cannabis. C.B.D. can be extracted from the flowers and buds of either cannabis or industrial hemp plants and does not cause intoxication. Currently trending in the natural products industry, C.B.D. has been mass-marketed in the form of oils and infused goods available to most consumers right over the counter.
According to WebMD, certain studies suggest that C.B.D. could be beneficial for individuals suffering from conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain, epilepsy, or cancer. However, there is still a significant lack of research on C.B.D. that makes the actual benefits and risks associated with using products unclear.
What Products Contain C.B.D.
The abundance of C.B.D. products available on the current market is astonishing. Because C.B.D. is extracted in an oil form, it can literally but put into anything and everything, including:
- gummies
- teas
- candles
- dog treats
- alcoholic beverages
- coffee
- baked goods
- cooking oil
- skin creams
Health experts report people who use C.B.D. for specific health conditions often opt for more concentrated oil forms. These methods include placing C.B.D. oil directly on the skin or under the tongue or using these oils in the form of a vape. The most common uses of C.B.D. oil include:
- anxiety
- epilepsy
- inflammation
- sleeplessness
- chronic pain
C.B.D. Scams
Consumers who find C.B.D. products beneficial have a wide variety of options. But not all manufacturers who claim their products have C.B.D. actually do, and others may be adding too little or harmful amounts.
The C.B.D. market is still highly unregulated, so it’s up to consumers to determine whether the products they are purchasing are of good quality or total fakes. According to the experts, these are the products you might want to avoid:
Low Dose Products
Some experts believe low dose C.B.D. products work more off of a placebo effect than anything else. The idea of having a calming ingredient added to a drink could make others calmer in return. Manufacturers of coffees, baked goods, and other edibles that claim low doses of C.B.D. may also bank on the fact that consumers will pay more for these products, giving them a reason to increase the price to reap the benefits.
Fake Oils
Counterfeit C.B.D. oils have become a major health concern and can be extremely dangerous. In Utah last spring, more than 50 people were sickened, and dozens were hospitalized after purchasing fake C.B.D. oil. Tempted with colorful packaging, these consumers unknowingly ingested a product that not only contained no C.B.D., but included other dietary supplements from hemp that made these consumers ill.
Mislabeled Products
Some products that do contain C.B.D. also contain T.H.C.- the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the sensation of a ‘high.’ According to a study published in JAMA, at least 30 percent of C.B.D. products are mislabeled and lead consumers to ingest T.H.C unintentionally. This can put consumers at serious risk if they are taking C.B.D. to relax, and find themselves under the influence under the wrong circumstances, including behind the wheel of a car.
Cheap Products
C.B.D. products that are cheaper than other brands on the market could be a red flag of fake promises. Remedy Review states that companies who set their prices much lower than the competition in the C.B.D. industry often have little to no C.B.D.
FDA Warnings
In November 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) issued it’s most recent round of warning letters to drug manufacturers caught selling unapproved products allegedly containing C.B.D. After extensive testing, the F.D.A. found some of the drugs contained extremely minimal amounts if any at all. Other medications contained higher amounts of C.B.D. than claimed, causing consumers to ingest harmful concentrations.
The agency has been issuing warning letters to manufacturers of C.B.D. products since 2015. Unfortunately, more companies every year continue to put harmful products on the market.
Do Your Research
The safest course for finding fake and harmful C.B.D. products is to do your research. Before you purchase a product, see if there have been any recalls or warnings from previous consumers. Talk to your doctor to see if the C.B.D. route is really the best choice for your health and ask for recommendations on how to find the safest products for your particular need.
Jacobs & Wallace- Connecticut Product Liability Lawyers
Manufacturers of products that knowingly put consumers at risk for injuries should be held accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a harmful product, our winning team of personal injury attorneys are here to help. Contact our expert team of Connecticut accident attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation to explore your options.
