FTC announces first monetary sanctions for CBD medical claims, says to expect more

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced its first crackdown on deceptive claims in the CBD market Thursday, issuing fines and sanctions to six manufacturers accused of misleading consumers about the health benefits of the cannabis extract.

The FTC, an independent government agency charged with consumer protection, says the six companies made illegal claims about their products’ ability to treat diseases including cancer, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease.

“We are not saying that CBD products cannot provide some relief to some patients,” Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, told reporters after announcing the sanctions. “But the same rules of the road apply to CBD products that apply to all other health products. In no event can they exaggerate or lie about the state of the science.”

The sanctioned CBD makers were:

• Bionatrol Health and Isle Revive of Pleasant Grove, Utah. The company was ordered to pay $20,000.
• Epichouse (First Class Herbalist) of West Valley City, Utah. The company was ordered to pay $30,000.
• CBD Meds Inc. of Winchester, California. The company was ordered to stop making unproven claims.
• Easybutter and HempmeCBD of Boca Raton, Florida. The company was ordered to pay $36,254.
• Reef Industries and CannaTera of Costa Mesa, California. The company was ordered to pay $85,000.
• Steves Distributing of Longmont, Colorado. The company was ordered to pay $75,000.

The FTC cited illegal advertising claims made by each of the manufacturers. Claims included promises that taking CBD would “leav(e) you pain free and feeling years younger.” Many included customer testimonials saying the products cured rare ailments or replaced prescription drugs, including OxyContin.

Screen shot from a sanctioned CBD manufacturer (image courtesy FTC)

Each of the companies is also required to notify consumers within 45 days of the FTC sanctions. They do that by emailing anyone who bought the products an email with the subject line, “About Your Purchase from [company name].”

The companies then must submit a report to the FTC within 90 days summarizing their actions, including the total number of eligible customers identified and notified.

The agency said the CBD industry could expect more actions in the future when unsubstantiated medical claims are made.

“Don’t make spurious health claims that are unsupported by medical science,” Smith said in a statement. “Otherwise, don’t be surprised if you hear from the FTC.”

Learn more from FTC and FDA attorneys about legal compliance in the CBD industry at MJBizCon2020, available on demand.

Kristen Nichols can be reached at [email protected]