CBD Laws & Safety: How to Spot Low-Quality CBD Products

One of the primary concerns many have regarding CBD products is how to distinguish safe, high-quality products from fake and/or low-quality goods. Unfortunately, many disreputable CBD companies are selling misleading and potentially dangerous goods.

Thanks to its growing popularity, CBD is now found in everything from chocolate to candy to drinks and beyond. And those less-than-trustworthy brands often package their products in confusing, unclear ways—even marketing to children. This has not only raised concerns but actually led to adverse reactions due to toxic, dangerous ingredients and practices and unknown CBD and/or THC contents leading to accidental overdose.

Keep reading to learn:

• What progress is being made when it comes to CBD laws
• How to avoid low-quality, dangerous products and identify safe options
• A bit about our safe ingredients and processes

What is the FDA Doing About CBD Laws & Safety?

So far, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has hesitated to regulate CBD. However, lawmakers, hemp farmers, and high-quality CBD product manufacturers are calling for action. Following a hearing in July 2023, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability stated that regulation is crucial to “create certainty for the industry, support the economy, farmers, and businesses, and ensure the safety of products.”

The FDA has issued warning letters in May 2022 and again in November that year to companies illegally selling CBD and delta-8 THC products in the past but started cracking down more on companies in 2022. They put companies on notice for marketing and selling:

• CBD-containing products that people could mistake for traditional food or drinks
• Unapproved products with CBD and/or delta-8 THC that claim to treat or prevent various medical conditions
• Animal foods like pet treats containing CBD

The worry around CBD-infused animal food is not only how it could affect our pets, but also how we could be unknowingly exposed to CBD through meat and dairy products from animals fed CBD.

The FDA continues to explore regulatory pathways to allow for the legal use of CBD in food and beverages. According to FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner, Janet Woodcock, M.D., these tools and steps could include:

• Clear labels
• Prevention of contaminants
• CBD content limits
• Measures to reduce risk of ingestion by children (e.g., minimum purchase age)

The agency’s primary concern? The common misconception that using CBD “can’t hurt” and that the FDA has evaluated and deemed CBD products as safe. They are particularly concerned about risks to children, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those taking other medications.

While the agency still says adding CBD to food and drinks is illegal, laws vary at the state level. That’s why you may come across cafés and shops serving CBD-infused coffee, smoothies, juice, and more in states like California, Colorado, Illinois, and New York.

At the end of the day, the FDA recommends speaking with your medical provider before using CBD products—and I agree! If you are unsure if these products are right or safe for you based on health conditions or medications, I’m happy to chat during a personalized CBD consultation bringing together my expertise as a nurse certified in medical cannabis. And I always encourage clients to consult their doctors first as well.

Tips to Stay Away from Sketchy CBD Products

If you’ve read my story at all, you’ll understand why I am so passionate about the therapeutic benefits of CBD products, having experienced them myself. However, I also understand the risks associated with a lack of regulation of these products. That’s why I believe clear laws on the production, marketing, and selling of CBD is vital to the health of consumers and the success of this industry overall!

As you search for safe and compliant CBD products, remember that the FDA has not approved any drugs containing delta-8 THC. If you see any product with delta-8 product touting that it can treat or prevent medical condition(s), it is an unapproved drug!

But don’t simply rely on the FDA to keep yourself informed. Empower yourself with knowledge from various sources to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. Look for the following red flags when comparing CBD products:

• Lack of Third-party Lab Testing: Reputable CBD brands provide third-party lab test results for their products, which confirm the product’s CBD content, THC levels, and the presence of toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents. No lab report = red flag!
• Inaccurate Labeling: Are there inconsistencies between the labeled CBD content and the actual content? The label should include serving size, recommended usage, and clear instructions.
• Too Good to Be True Claims: Be cautious of products that make extravagant or unsubstantiated health claims. Remember, the FDA has not approved them and prohibits companies from marketing CBD products as cures or preventative medical treatments!
• Unclear Sourcing: High-quality CBD manufacturers are transparent about the source of their hemp. Look for organic, non-GMO hemp grown in reputable locations. If you don’t see this info, there’s a good chance it’s low-quality.
• THC Contents: Full-spectrum CBD products (with trace amounts of THC) are legal in some areas, but must have less than 0.3% to comply with legal limits. If you opt for full-spectrum, check the THC levels to ensure it’s safe and won’t cause unwanted psychoactive effects.
• Inadequate Product Selection: Trustworthy manufacturers offer a variety of CBD products to cater to different preferences and needs. A limited product range may suggest a lack of expertise or quality control.
• Suspiciously Low Prices: Is a CBD product much cheaper than most others you’ve seen? This could be a red flag! High-quality CBD products require careful cultivation, extraction, and testing, which comes at a cost.
• Toxic Extraction Methods: Check for subpar extraction methods, like butane or propane, which can leave behind harmful residues. Reliable brands typically use CO2 or ethanol extraction.
• Overuse of Additives: Some CBD products may contain excessive additives, preservatives, or artificial flavors. Quality products keep these to a minimum, focusing on the purity of the CBD.
• Poor Packaging: Simply put, avoid products with packaging that looks unprofessional or lacks essential information! Professional packaging with clear labeling and links to third-party lab testing is key.
• Lack of Customer Support: A trustworthy CBD company will offer accessible customer support to answer your questions. If you can’t easily reach them or find answers to your questions, it should be eyebrow-raising!
• No Information on Production Practices: Transparency about the manufacturing process and quality control standards is a positive sign. If they don’t share any of this, alarm bells should be ringing.
• Negative Customer Reviews: As with any new product, read those reviews—both good and bad! These can give you valuable insights into product and company quality.

BTS: Our Safe CBD Ingredients & Processes

The Healing Consultant is committed to clean, safe, and natural ingredients and practices. That’s why we:

• Source USDA-Certified Organic hemp from a farm right here in North Carolina
• Use full-spectrum CBD so you benefit from all the hemp plant’s good cannabinoids and terpenes—but keep THC levels below 0.3% so you never have to worry about getting high!
• Verify every product with a third-party lab to ensure there are no toxins or fillers
• Include only natural, high-quality ingredients, like MCT (coconut) oil as the carrier oil (see the ingredients on every product page!)

Every product comes with a Certificate of Analysis from a third-party lab (you can find this via the QR code on your item!), which authenticates these ingredients and tells you exactly what goes into each product. All products are rigorously lab-tested, and we stand by the quality.

Navigating Safe & High-Quality CBD Products

Although the FDA is discussing laws regarding CBD production, availability, and sales, we have a long way to go. Unfortunately, there are still many misleading and risky products on the market—which is why one of my goals is to educate people like you on safe products and practices.

I also encourage you to continue researching and empowering yourself through various resources. As you do, keep in mind the red flags of a shady CBD product to avoid ineffective and potentially harmful substances.

If you’re new to CBD and seeking safe, high-quality products to support your self-care routine, browse The Healing Consultant selection. My morning and evening subscription boxes have something for everyone! Or if you have more questions, contact me for attentive, compassionate guidance today.