Arthritis Foundation issues CBD guidance, a first among major patient advocacy groups

The Arthritis Foundation became the first major patient advocacy group to issue CBD recommendations, telling some 50 million arthritis patients Tuesday what to look for when choosing CBD.

The group did not recommend using CBD to treat arthritis symptoms, though it noted that people with arthritis show “significant use of and interest in CBD” for pain relief.

“We are intrigued by the potential of CBD to help people find pain relief,” the foundation said, calling for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to  “expedite the study and regulation of these products.”

The Arthritis Foundation told members that “no serious safety concerns have been associated with moderate doses” of CBD. But the group also warned that CBD products can interact with many medications commonly prescribed for arthritis.

The group gave arthritis patients guidelines for choosing CBD products. Among the recommendations:

• Avoiding CBD products with THC. “Be aware that THC, even at low levels, may get you high, creating cognitive, motor and balance issues,” the group said.
• Using only CBD products produced in the U.S. from domestically grown ingredients.
• Avoiding vaporized CBD products entirely, especially people with inflammatory arthritis.
• Buying products from companies that test each batch and provide results.
• Talking to a physician before trying CBD. “Be aware that marketers and people behind retail counters are not health professionals; they are salespeople,” the group warned.
• Checking state law to see which CBD products are considered legal.

No specific CBD products or manufacturers were named in the recommendations.