CBD Sellers Beware: FTC Issues Warnings on CBD Marketing Practices
By Ryan Coufal
On September 10th, 2019 the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) sent warning letters to three companies that sell oils, tinctures, capsules, “gummies,” and creams which contain cannabidiol (“CBD”), a chemical compound derived from the cannabis plant. While the FTC did not identify the companies publicly, the letters warn that it is illegal to advertise a product that can prevent, treat, or cure human disease without reliable scientific evidence to support such claims.
The companies’ websites claim that CBD products “’work like magic’ to relieve ‘even the most agonizing pain,’” are a “miracle pain remedy,” and are highly effective at treating “the root cause of most major degenerative diseases.” The websites then promote that CBD treats a whole host of diseases including: cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), fibromyalgia, cigarette addiction, colitis, autism, anorexia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), stroke, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, brain injuries, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, AIDS, arthritis, and heart disease, with one of the websites even stating the treatment is “clinically proven.”
In its letters the FTC instructs the companies to review all claims made about their products, including consumer testimonials, to ensure such claims are supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Making such unsubstantiated claims can be in direct violation of sections of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 45(a) and 52, which regulate advertising. Additionally, such claims can violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), 21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B) which is regulate by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On March 28, 2019 the FTC and FDA jointly sent similar warnings to three different CBD companies about their marketing practices, with the FDA taking the stance that such marketing practices are evidence that CBD products are intended to be used as drugs, which require extensive testing and FDA approval before marketing the products in such a manner. Making a claim that CBD is a drug that can cure disease when it has not been approved by the FDA could create the potential for violation of the FDCA.
The FTC gave the latest three companies fifteen (15) days to notify the agency of the specific actions they have taken to correct the agency’s concerns. Companies that sell CBD products should take note of the marketing practices the FTC and FDA are regulating and review all claims made about their CBD products and ensure they are backed by reliable and competent scientific evidence, and ensure they are not marketing CBD products as drugs under the FDCA.
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