The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a total of 31 warning letters to CBD sellers since the virus’ outbreak, flagging marketing claims related to CBD’s efficacy in treating COVID-19.
FDA and other government agencies are responding to questionable claims regarding immunity boosting properties of CBD, and claims such as: “Don’t Fear the #CoronaVirus FIGHT it with us!” and “Cannabis Indica speeds up Recovery from Coronavirus.”
Those claims, from Wisconsin-based Native Roots Hemp, appeared in online posts in March. The FDA’s warning letter to the company said the products are “unapproved new drugs sold in violation of … the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic [FD&C] Act.”
Others are warned
Additional warning letters in the most recent round of sanctions over CBD were sent to California-based Indigo Naturals for the slogan: “Is CBD An Anti-Viral Agent For Coronavirus, Influenza, MERS, and SARS?” and to a California-based CBD online shop that used the come-on: “Can CBD help with Corona Virus? Possibly!”
FDA demanded corrective action within 48 hours of the letters’ receipt. The California online store and Native Roots complied immediately, however, Indigo Naturals has yet to do so.
Of the 31 warning letters related to COVID-19 claims that have been issued, 10 companies so far have not made corrective action, according to public information from the FDA.
