A new report indicates incorrectly labeled CBD products remain a significant problem, this time in relation to sleep aids.
CBD preparations targeting sleep issues have increased in popularity. Aside from cannabidiol, these products can contain other cannabinoids such as cannabinol (CBN) and non-cannabinoid compounds including melatonin.
Israel-based independent CBD watchdog Leafreport bought 52 CBD sleep products including gummies, tinctures and capsules, and sent them to an accredited third-party cannabis laboratory for analysis. Among the results:
- Two-thirds of products containing melatonin had inaccurate melatonin levels. One had none at all and two others had 3 – 5 times the amount indicated on the label.
- Just over half of the products containing CBD had inaccurate CBD levels.
- Close to half of the products containing CBN had inaccurate CBN levels.
- Out of 9 products containing all three tested ingredients, just one’s label matched for each ingredient.
- Out of 32 products advertised to contain broad or full-spectrum CBD, a quarter were mislabeled.
- Of the 52 products, 25% were classified as “poor” or “fail”.
Commenting on the outcome, Leafreport noted:
“This result isn’t as bad as it looks, because 75% of products received an A or a B, which is pretty good considering most had two active ingredients (rather than just CBD). Additionally, many of the products that received a B or C contained small amounts of CBN and melatonin, making it more difficult to stay within the 10% cutoff needed for an A grade. Only a handful of products had undeniably poor results.”
It could be argued that only a handful is a handful too many when it comes to products that consumers ingest. So, what’s a consumer to do?
Leafreport states trustworthy CBD brands post third-party Certificates of Analysis (COAs) on their websites, which can provide some reassurance. But it needs to be noted that not all third party testing facilities are equal. And some can be downright dodgy, putting whatever the manufacturer wants on the CoA.
So, not only should CoAs be checked; a bit of digging around on the lab that issues them is probably also a wise idea.
Leafreport’s very detailed study on CBD sleep product labeling can be viewed here – and it includes copies of the various Certficates of Analysis so you can practice deciphering them. Leafreport also provides a handy guide to how to read a Certificate of Analysis.
