Leading CBD Brands In The US Still Have Some Inaccurate Dosages

wrong cbd dosage

The importance of dosage when it comes to drug activity cannot be overemphasized. It determines whether a drug will give the expected therapeutic effect or cause an adverse drug event. Accurate dosing is paramount particularly in CBD products which is why CBD companies are required to be label all products accurately.

Importance of dose and labeling in CBD products

Accurate labeling helps to guide users in terms of expectation. By accurately stating the quantity of active ingredient being consumed, users can know the exact dosage of cannabinoids they're consuming which will make them more equipped to predict the expected response.

The ability to predict the effect of a CBD product is largely dependent on the dose of cannabinoids present. CBD acts through the cannabinoid receptors of the endocannabinoid system to mediate different responses, therefore accuracy of the dose is needed to predict the response to expect. This response is then used to establish a dose-response relationship to prevent unwanted effects of underdose or overdose. The established dose, therefore, becomes a point of reference for other cannabis strains that have different cannabinoid profiles. It also becomes a point of reference for other brands in the industry to work on.

Once an accurate dose for a CBD product is established, it becomes necessary to carefully label the products with respect to the tested potency of the active product. This is because this is the basis for which medical marijuana specialists will prescribe such products for medical marijuana patients. Inaccurate labeling can result in a patient taking an overdose or underdose of a CBD product with respect to the condition it is to be used for. The unintentional result of this can either be a therapeutic failure or unwanted adverse effects due to overdose.

Labeling in the CBD industry

With different stories making waves about the numerous uses of CBD, it’s no surprise that the issue of accurate labeling is a topic that surrounds the CBD industry. In a bid to ride on the popularity of the cannabinoid, many crooks masquerading as entrepreneurs make baseless claims about CBD. In their bid to make a quick buck they market their products as what it isn't. This, among many other reasons is why the issue of accurate dosing and labeling has taken center stage in the CBD world. Over the past couple of years, more studies and surveys are being conducted to monitor CBD companies and keep them in check.

A report carried out by Leaf Report on labeling by CBD brands showed that some of the leading brands in the US still have some inaccurate dosages on their products. The results of the report showed that 27% of top CBD brands in the US had dosages in their products that were different from that of the label. The report involved analyzing CBD products from the top names in the CBD industry in the US. 37 kinds of CBD products from the list of the top brands were tested to ascertain their cannabinoid potency. The results from this analysis were then compared against claims labeled on the products.

27% of the brands on the report had differences between the claims and actual potency. If properly regulated, this should render their products unacceptable under state regulations. This means that if the CBD market is tightly regulated these products would be classified as unfit for public use as they are likely to cause therapeutic failure or promote adverse effects.

Some positives for the CBD industry

The CBD industry is majorly self-regulated as the brands are in control of most of their activities. The brands themselves are not fully regulated by the FDA which is why some unruly elements can easily enter the industry and sell products that differ from what they claim they are. The CBD brands are tasked with making the products, labeling the products, and ensuring their safety. With so many responsibilities placed on the brands and CBD products highly in demand, many people believe most CBD brands intentionally mislabel their products. However, the results from this report showed that belief is unfounded as about 73% of the brands satisfied the necessary conditions of the study. The majority of CBD brands sell products that contain the real deal, however there are still a few bad eggs that sell mislabeled products.

With so many top brands passing the test, it shows that the CBD industry in the US is growing and becoming more reliable. It's true that the report was based on the top names in the industry and such a high level of accountability is to be expected. But still, 73% is commendable especially for a developing industry. It shows how far the CBD industry has come despite the huge demands placed on businesses in the industry.

There’s still more work to be done

Although the majority of brands tested gave positive results, it is worrying that 27% of the big names tested label their products inaccurately. If this is the case with the big names in the industry, what then should be excepted from smaller brands in the industry that have fewer resources. This shows that there’s still more work to be done in terms of regulation, and quality control in the cannabis industry.

The lack of full FDA regulation has allowed some unscrupulous elements to enter the industry and make unsubstantiated claims. The majority of them are responsible for the bulk of substandard products with inaccurate labeling that flood the CBD market. Unfortunately, the majority of cannabis users buy these products without validating. Until more quality control actions and other regulatory measures are put in place it is important for consumers to exercise caution while purchasing CBD products. Purchases should be done from quality brands that can provide assurance for the safety of products in terms of detailed scientific data. Such brands should also ensure their products are tested by third parties before users are allowed to use them. As the cannabis industry grows stronger, hopefully more will be done by regulatory bodies to ensure that all CBD products being sold to the public have passed the strictest of quality standards.

Bottom line

Based on surveys, the common issue in the CBD industry when it comes to labeling is over-labeling. Survey shows that under-labeling is not as common in the industry because these fake entrepreneurs hope to leverage over-labeling their products to attract customers. The onus then lies on relevant regulatory agencies to ensure that this issue is eradicated from the industry before it becomes a disaster.