FDA tells CBD companies: Stop making ‘unfounded’ claims about CBD products
The Food and Drug Administration has sent warning letters to companies it says are making "egregious and unfounded" claims about the benefits of products made with CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, the agency said Tuesday.
Scott Gottlieb, the agency's commissioner, also said he was "concerned" that several national pharmacy chains have begun selling CBD products and warned that the FDA will be contacting those chains to "remind them of FDA obligations." Walgreens and CVS both recently announced that they will begin selling products with CBD.
The warnings about CBD marketing come as the FDA also tries to construct a regulatory framework for products infused with CBD, which can be derived from legal hemp plants. Hemp, a type of cannabis plant containing extremely low amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for marijuana highs, was legalized last year under the 2018 Farm Bill.
RELATED: Take a look at the health benefits of marijuana:
The FDA sent letters to three companies – Advanced Spine and Pain LLC, Nutra Pure LLC and PotNetwork Holdings Inc. – in response to their claims that CBD can treat or cure cancers, autoimmune diseases and opioid use disorder, among other conditions, the FDA said.
According to the FDA, the companies made claims such as, "CBD successfully stopped cancer cells in multiple different cervical cancer varieties," and "CBD reduced the rewarding effects of morphine and reduced drug seeking of heroin."
"I believe these are egregious, over-the-line claims and we won't tolerate this kind of deceptive marketing to vulnerable patients," Gottleib said in a press release. "As our actions today make clear, the FDA stands ready to protect consumers from companies illegally selling CBD products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure serious diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, psychiatric disorders and diabetes."
While research on CBD and its effects is ongoing, the compound is the main, active component in the FDA-approved medication Epidiolex. The medication is used to treat seizures.
As the FDA considers plans for CBD regulation, it plans to hold a public hearing at the end of May and will also form an internal working group that will consider CBD marketing rules, it said.
Copyright 2019 U.S. News & World Report
