Despite the best efforts of the responsible CBD sector—with QR codes on bottles directing consumers to Certificates of Analysis showing analytical test results of cannabinoid content—all too many products are not meeting label claims.
This is especially true with products proclaiming “THC-Free” status, with a new study showing nearly 1 in 4 such products do actually contain detectable levels of delta-9 THC—the cannabinoid with euphoric effects.
The fear is that unintentional delta-9 THC consumption may lead to positive drug tests.
“Consumers are taking hemp-derived CBD products without understanding the risks of unintentional consumption of delta-9 THC,” wrote the University of Kentucky College of Medicine researchers. “This accidental use of delta-9 THC could have adverse effects on health and safety as well as potential legal consequences (e.g., child custody, impaired driving), as delta-9 THC drug test findings could impact employment, military, and sport eligibility status.”
The researchers purchased 80 hemp CBD products off the shelves of local retailers in central Kentucky, which carried both local and national brands. These were extracted by solvent extraction and quantified by liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using a validated method.
The analytical findings were compared to the label claims for CBD content.
Of the 80 products tested, 52 of which—65…
