Research Report URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10339496/
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Here we provide summarised findings of the evidence that was discovered and discussed in the 2023 paper ‘A comparison of advertised versus actual cannabidiol (CBD) content of oils, aqueous tinctures, e-liquids and drinks purchased in the UK’.
Abstract summary:
This study aims to address concerns about the quality of CBD products and the discrepancies between advertised and actual CBD concentrations. By comparing the advertised CBD content in oils, aqueous tinctures, e-liquids and drinks sold in the UK with their actual cannabidiol contents, this paper reveals how much these figures deviate and emphasise the importance of maintaining standard operating procedures.
What are the contributions of this paper?`
This paper contributes evidence that shows how inaccurate the advertising of certain CBD products can be in the UK. It assesses the CBD concentrations in a broader range of products than has previously been examined within the UK, and aims to address concerns about the quality of CBD products and the discrepancies between advertised and actual CBD concentrations.
What are the practical implications of this paper?
There are a number of practical implications discussed in this paper, including:
The over-labelling of CBD concentrations within UK products highlights the need for improved product standards, which may necessitate clearer legislative guidance on the acceptable tolerance limits for advertised CBD concentrations.
The study found that the magnitude of deviation from advertised CBD concentrations differed between product types was not related to product price, and BD-oils deviated less from their advertised concentrations than aqueous tinctures, e-liquids, and drinks.
The findings suggest that consumers should be cautious when purchasing CBD products and should look for products that have been independently tested for CBD content.
Introduction summary:
The introduction of this paper provides an overview of the growing consumer demand for CBD-containing products, which are now available in various forms, including oils, aqueous tinctures, e-liquids, drinks, edibles, and topical creams/gels. However, concerns have been raised regarding the quality of these products, with discrepancies between advertised and actual CBD content, and contamination with other, illicit cannabinoids.
The paper aims to address these concerns by assessing CBD concentrations in a broader range of products than has previously been examined within the UK, including oil-and aqueous-based tinctures, e-liquids, and drinks.
Literature survey:
The paper provides a literature survey of previous studies that have examined the quality of CBD-containing products. The authors note that previous studies have found discrepancies between advertised and actual CBD content, with some products containing little to no CBD, while others contain higher levels of CBD than advertised. Additionally, some products have been found to be contaminated with other cannabinoids, such as THC, which can have psychoactive effects.
The authors also note that there is limited information on how different types of CBD products may differ in their deviation from advertised CBD concentrations. Therefore, the current study aims to address this gap in the literature by quantifying and comparing CBD concentrations in different types of products.
Methods used in this paper:
The authors used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a Raptor ARC-18 LC reverse phase column and ultraviolet detection to quantify CBD and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) concentrations in aqueous tinctures, oils, e-liquids, and drinks. Reported CBD concentrations using HPLC reflect the combination of measured CBD and theoretic conversion of CBDA to CBD.
The authors also compared the advertised CBD concentrations to the actual CBD concentrations in each product and analysed the data to determine if there was a relationship between product type, price, and deviation from advertised CBD concentration.
Conclusions from the paper:
The paper concludes that there is a need for improved product standards and clearer legislative guidance on acceptable tolerance limits for advertised CBD concentrations due to the over-labelling of CBD concentrations within UK products.
The magnitude of deviation from advertised CBD concentrations differed between product types but was not related to product price, with CBD-oils deviating less than aqueous tinctures, e-liquids, and drinks.
In this area, future research may seek to determine rates of CBD degradation in consumer products, and within-product variability in labelling accuracy. Furthermore, CBD used in research investigating its psychological or physiological effects should be analysed to confirm that CBD concentrations are appropriate.
Limitations of this study:
The limitations of this paper include:
- The study only tested a limited number of products and brands, which may not be representative of all CBD-containing products available in the UK market.
- The study did not investigate the stability of CBD over time, which could affect the accuracy of the measured CBD concentrations.
- The study did not investigate the potential effects of other cannabinoids or contaminants in the products, which could impact the safety and efficacy of the products.
- The study did not investigate the potential effects of different administration routes or dosages of CBD on its psychological or physiological effects.
- The study did not investigate the potential effects of different extraction methods or sources of CBD on the accuracy of the measured CBD concentrations.
- The study did not investigate the potential effects of different storage conditions or packaging materials on the stability of CBD in the products.
Future works suggested in this study:
Future research suggested in this paper includes:
- Determining rates of CBD degradation in consumer products.
- Investigating within-product variability in labelling accuracy.
- Analysing CBD used in research investigating its psychological or physiological effects to confirm that CBD concentrations are appropriate.
