CBD Scams: Don't Get Fooled!

08/06/2021 Author: Karolina Utíkalová 7 min read

Read how to recognize fraud in CBD hemp products. Don't forget to read our article so you never become a victim of fraud and intentional misinformation.

The Rise of Scams in the CBD Sector: A Worrying Reality

The hemp and hemp-derivative market has experienced exponential growth in recent years, becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry that attracts both consumers and investors. However, this rapid development has created fertile ground for scammers looking to take advantage of poorly informed buyers.

The collectible cannabis and hemp-derived products industry is characterized by regulation that is still evolving, which allows practically anyone with initial capital to enter the market. This situation has led to the emergence of numerous products with suspiciously low prices that attract unwary collectors and enthusiasts.

For enthusiasts of collectible cannabis genetics, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between authentic quality products and those that fail to meet promised standards. This problem not only harms buyers financially but also damages the reputation of the entire hemp industry.

The Most Common Types of Fraud in Cannabinoid Products

Scammers have developed various strategies to deceive collectors of cannabis genetic material. The most common approach involves marketing products with CBD concentrations significantly lower than what is stated on the label, or even products that contain no cannabidiol at all.

Another equally dangerous type of fraud involves selling products that have not undergone contaminant testing. Hemp, due to its phytoremediation properties, efficiently absorbs both nutrients and contaminants from the soil. When this plant is grown in contaminated land, it can accumulate heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful substances.

Since the European Medicines Agency (EMA) does not yet fully regulate this sector, collectors cannot rely solely on government authorities to guarantee the safety and authenticity of the products they purchase.

Alarming Statistics on Fraudulent Products

A study conducted in July 2020 by SC Laboratories, in collaboration with the United Cannabis Business Association (UCBA), revealed worrying data about the quality of CBD products in the unregulated market.

The research analyzed 17 samples purchased from unlicensed establishments, and the results were revealing: more than 70% of the samples failed quality controls due to excessive contamination or failure to meet the criteria for classification as legal hemp.

An alarming 42% of the samples failed safety tests, while in the regulated market, only about 1.5% of products fail these controls. In some cases, contamination levels exceeded acceptable limits by factors of hundreds.

Essential Criteria for Identifying Authentic Products

Experienced collectors of feminized genetics and hemp-derived products need to apply specific criteria to verify the authenticity of their purchases.

Independent Third-Party Certificates of Analysis

Every legitimate manufacturer must provide certificates of analysis conducted by independent laboratories demonstrating the complete cannabinoid profile of their products. These analyses must include not only CBD and THC, but also other phytocannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and CBC.

The authentic certificate must contain the product's batch number, the exact concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes, and confirmation that residues of heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents fall within the acceptable limits set by European regulations.

A crucial indicator of authenticity is the presence of multiple cannabinoids in the profile. If a product contains only CBD, it's a sign that it is an isolate or synthetic product, not a natural full-spectrum extract.

Overly Promising Marketing Claims

Labels that claim to "cure" anxiety or "solve" sleep problems constitute immediate red flags. Health-property claims are strictly regulated by the EMA and European trade authorities, and only prescription medications may make specific therapeutic claims.

Aaron Riley, CEO of CannaSafe, a prominent ISO-accredited California-based cannabis testing company, warns: "I would avoid any product that claims to solve specific health problems. I would also steer clear of exaggerated marketing jargon like 'Real CBD' or '100% CBD.'"

Price as an Indicator of Quality

While we all appreciate a good deal, in the world of CBD an excessively low price can indicate a fraudulent product. Quality cannabidiol requires costly, sophisticated extraction processes, plus rigorous quality controls.

Lital Shafir, product lead at Leafreport, a Tel Aviv-based educational platform dedicated to bringing transparency to the CBD sector, explains: "Beyond standard operating costs, CBD carries several unique expenses, including specialized extraction equipment and qualified personnel to operate it."

Costs also include hemp cultivation, which requires specialized licenses, regulatory compliance, and thorough testing by independent laboratories.

Visual and Packaging Indicators of Superior Quality

Authentic full-spectrum CBD products are characterized by their golden or amber color, a natural result of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytochemicals present in the extract. A completely clear or colorless product suggests excessive processing or the use of synthetic isolates.

Packaging also provides crucial clues about product quality. Legitimate CBD extracts are sold in amber or tinted glass bottles (cobalt, green) because ultraviolet radiation degrades the delicate cannabinoid and terpene compounds.

Responsible manufacturers understand that preserving the molecular integrity of their products requires protection against light, heat, and oxidation. Therefore, any CBD product stored in clear or plastic containers should be considered suspicious.

The Importance of a Complete Aromatic Profile

Authentic full-spectrum products retain the natural terpene profile of the original genetics. These aromatic compounds not only contribute to the characteristic bouquet of each variety, but also play a role in what researchers call the "entourage effect."

A genuine CBD product should retain the distinctive aromatic characteristics collectors associate with specific genetics, including earthy, citrus, piney, or floral notes depending on the variety of origin.