On December 17, 2020, the FTC announced that it is taking action against six companies for selling CBD products with unsupported and deceptive health claims that they can treat a variety of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, and others.

The FTC will require each company and its leadership to stop making unsupported claims, and most will have to pay fines. A spokesperson for the FTC warned, "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."

More information about each case is below (use the links to read the full settlement):

• Bionatrol Health, LLC and Isle Revive, LLC made baseless claims that their CBD oil products could treat a variety of conditions including age-related cognitive decline and chronic pain, that the products were safe for everyone, and that CBD is more effective than prescription painkillers. The company must pay $20,000 to the FTC and notify consumers of the charges.


• Epichouse LLC dba First Class Herbalist CBD made claims that their CBD oils, cream, coffee, and gummies could prevent or treat conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, age-related cognitive decline, chronic pain, and hypertension and that they were safe for all users and more effective than prescription medicines. The company must pay $30,000 to the FTC and notify consumers of the charges.


• CBD Meds, Inc. made claims that their CBD oil products treat, prevent, or mitigate conditions such as artery blockage, cancer, glaucoma, autism, and schizophrenia.


• EasyButter, LLC, dba HempmeCBD made claims that their butter, gummies, lozenges, honey sticks, vape pens, and oil products could treat or cure cancer-related symptoms, substance abuse, and AIDS. The company must pay $36,254 to the FTC and notify consumers of the charges.


• Reef Industries, Inc. made claims that CBD can prevent, cure, mitigate, or treat conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, autoimmune disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. The company must pay $85,000 to the FTC and notify consumers of the charges.


• Steves Distributing, LLC made claims that their CBD and cannabigerol (CBG) tinctures, gummies, capsules, topical balms, suppositories, bath balms, and coffee products could treat diseases like Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and diabetes and that CBD and CBG contain antibacterial properties and can prevent or reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes. The company must pay $75,000 to the FTC and notify consumers of the charges.

See ConsumerLab's Review of CBD & Hemp Extract Supplements, Lotions, and Balms for tests of related products.

For more information, use the link below.

FTC Announces Crackdown on Deceptively Marketed CBD Products

See related warnings:

FDA Warns Sellers of Unapproved COVID-19 Tests, CBD Products

Seller of CBD and NAC Warned for Coronavirus Claims

51 CBD Products Recalled Due to Lead Contamination

Seller of CBD Tinctures and "Immune Boost Packs" Warned for Coronavirus Claims

Seller of CBD, Sleep Aids, and Cold & Flu Products Warned for Manufacturing Violations