Myth #11: CBD Product Labels Are Always Accurate

Quick Fact

Are CBD product labels accurate? Often not. Studies have found that a majority of products contain different amounts of cannabidiol than claimed — sometimes significantly more, sometimes less. Before you buy, always look for a third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA) that confirms what is actually in the bottle.

The Full Story

The mislabeling problem in the cannabidiol (CBD) industry is well-documented and widespread. A landmark Penn Medicine study found that roughly 70% of products sold online were inaccurately labeled. A 2022 study found that nearly half of tested products had incorrect concentration labeling.

Mislabeling takes several forms. Some products contain far less CBD than claimed. In those cases, you pay a premium for very little active ingredient. Others contain more than labeled. Perhaps most concerning, some products labeled as THC-free have been found to contain detectable levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which could affect drug test results without your knowledge.

Are CBD Product Labels Getting More Accurate Over Time?

The situation is improving slowly as the industry matures and more states implement testing requirements. But it remains a significant consumer protection issue. The root cause — a lack of mandatory pre-market testing — has not been addressed at the federal level. Until that changes, the responsibility for verifying what is in a product falls entirely on the buyer.

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is your best protection. Look for it on the company’s website — most reputable brands make them easy to find, either on the product page or via a QR code on the label. Check that the CBD content matches what is on the label, that THC reads as non-detectable if that is important to you, and that the test was carried out by an independent lab. For more on the regulatory picture, see our Myth #10 on FDA regulation of CBD products.