CBD, which can come from marijuana or hemp plants, is going mainstream: Twenty-eight percent of Americans have taken CBD—cannabidiol, a compound in marijuana and hemp that doesn’t get you “high” and is used a handful of medical and physical conditions—at least once in the past two years, according to a nationally representative CR survey of 2,125 U.S. adults (PDF) in July 2022.
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So CR did a spot check test of CBD gummies sold online from four companies: Keoni, Medterra, Royal, and Smilz.
CR did not find pesticides in any product, and all had no or very little THC, the component that can get users high. (Legally, CBD products must be less than 0.3 percent THC.)
However, products from three of the four companies had less CBD than advertised. Only one company, Medterra, had at least the amount of CBD claimed on the label (it had slightly higher CBD).
When asked about the lower level of CBD that CR found in our tests, Brent Garr, CEO of Wellness Brands, the company that owns Keoni, said its products “are made in small batches with the finest ingredients,” and that the company “strives to continuously find new ways to make our products safer and more advanced.”
Royal acknowledged the variability CR found in its CBD gummy and said that the company had “chosen to allow for some variability from the estimated dose listed on our CBD gummies as a trade-off for minimizing the amount of processing involved in the manufacture of our full-spectrum hemp extract. The trade-off here is that in order to avoid using harsh solvents and excessive distillation runs, we should expect some (reasonable) variability in the end result.”
CR’s tests also found lead in gummies from Keoni and Smilz, though at very low levels. Keoni said the amounts found “reflect safe and commonplace levels” and are “not a cause for alarm.” Smilz did not respond to a request for comment.
“The problem with heavy metals is that they accumulate in the body over time,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at CR. “For adults, having too much heavy metals can contribute to central nervous system problems, reproductive problems, and, hypertension, and can damage kidney and immune function.”
Medterra was the only product in CR’s tests that met all its claims and did not have detectable levels ofheavy metals and pesticides. “Delivering a clean and safe product that meets label claims is essential to our mission,” says Gregory Reeder, CEO for Medterra. “We test to ensure our raw materials and finished products meet all national and state regulations.”
Previous research has found high THC and lead levels in other companies’ CBD products. And cannabis plants may be susceptible to absorbing heavy metals from the soil, Rogers says. So CR’s experts say it’s wise to always shop carefully for CBD products. Here’s how.
Find the Product's Certificate of Analysis
The COA shows results from third-party testing for THC, heavy metals, and more. A QR code on the product may link to the COA. (Codes like these are required for products sold in Indiana and Texas, and may appear on products sold elsewhere.) If it’s not there, check the manufacturer’s website or ask the retailer for the document. Good to know: Make sure the COA test results match the product by looking at batch numbers or other identifying information to link test results and the product together.
Don't Buy CBD at Gas Stations, Delis, or Convenience Stores
Stick with groceries, natural food stores, or pharmacies—where products may have been better vetted.
Shop in a Dispensary
That’s the best option if you live in a state with legalized recreational marijuana. “States with legal cannabis have enforcement protocols ironed out better,” says Mitch Earleywine, PhD, a professor at the State University of New York at Albany who has studied cannabis laws. As of early November 2022, 21 states and DC have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults, including the newest, Missouri, and in 2021, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Virginia, according to the advocacy group NORML.
Realize That 'Hemp Oil' May Not Be the Same As CBD
Hemp oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant, and contains little or no CBD, according to the Hemp Industries Association, a group that represents hemp growers and producers of CBD. Hemp oil is often used in hemp-based soaps and cosmetics.
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the January 2023 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
Lisa L. Gill
Lisa L. Gill is an award-winning investigative reporter. She has been at Consumer Reports since 2008, covering health and food safety—heavy metals in the food supply and foodborne illness—plus healthcare and prescription drug costs, medical debt, and credit scores. Lisa also testified before Congress and the Food and Drug Administration about her work on drug costs and drug safety. She lives in a DIY tiny home, where she gardens during the day and stargazes the Milky Way at night.
