CBD health claims might be a scam, group says
Before you try a Cbd-based or any health care product, the FTC and BBB recommend you take these steps to protect yourself.
The FTC often assigns catchy names to its enforcement actions.
It went after illegal robocallers in Operation Call It Quits. Operation Game of Loans was a crackdown on student loan modification scams.
In a recently announced law enforcement sweep called Operation Cbdeceit, the agency reached settlements with six companies it alleged were making unsupported claims about the ability of their CBD products to treat serious health conditions, including cancer, diabetes and autism.
Some companies also claimed that their products were more effective at treating pain than Oxycontin and other prescription medications. The companies’ products include oils, coffees, creams, sprays and gummies.
The FTC has sent warning letters to marketers of CBD products in the past, but these were the first formal enforcement actions. Five of the proposed settlements include monetary judgments. In announcing them, the Director of the FTC’S Bureau of Consumer Protection said, “The six settlements announced today send a clear message to the burgeoning CBD industry: Don’t make spurious health claims that are unsupported by medical science. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if you hear from the FTC.”
Bionatrol Health said its CBD oil was safe for all users, treats pain better than prescription medications, and prevents and treats age-related cognitive decline. The FTC alleged the claims were unsubstantiated and customers who ordered one bottle of oil were sent and charged for five.
The FTC alleged that in its advertising, Epichouse (also operating as First Class Herbalist) falsely claimed that CBD is scientifically proven to improve health conditions like chronic pain and hypertension. CBD Meds falsely advertised that a laboratory study conducted by the federal government showed that “CBD may make chemotherapy more effective and increase cancer cell death without harming normal cells.”
The FTC said that Hempmecbd falsely claimed that “in a recent study, Israeli research has shown an 80% success rate in reducing problematic behavior in children with Autism using CBD.” The agency also said they made misleading claims regarding their products’ ability to treat AIDS, PTSD, depression, epilepsy and other serious conditions.
The other companies the FTC landed on were:
Reef Industries, which it said made false or misleading statements about the health benefits of its gummies, lotions, vape oils and other products.
They said the products could prevent or treat lupus, multiple sclerosis, strokes and other serious ailments.
Steve’s Distributing operating as Steve’s Goods, which said its CBD and CBG (a related cannabinoid derived from hemp) products could treat a range of illnesses including glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
The FTC says that if an ad claims a Cbd-based product is scientifically proven to cure or treat your symptoms, you should take it with a dose of caution to prevent losing money and maybe endangering your health.
Before you try a Cbd-based or any health care product, the FTC and BBB recommend you take these steps to protect yourself:
Talk to your doctor before trying any alternative medicine – and definitely before you stop taking any prescription medications.
Avoid products that say they’re “guaranteed” to treat your condition. These people don’t even know you. How can they know a product will work with your body to treat your condition?
Scientific substantiation is required for any advertised health claim. Visit Ftc.gov/miraclehealth.to find out more about miracle cure claims.
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