Huntington, WV: The labels on CBD vape pens typically provide imprecise information regarding the products’ contents, according to data published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.
A team of scientists from Marshall University in West Virginia quantified cannabinoid components in nine retail brands of CBD vape liquids. Hemp-derived CBD products are often available over the counter at gas stations and other retailers. However, they are not federally regulated and they are typically subject to few, if any, state regulations.
Of the nine products analyzed, six possessed levels of CBD that were “statistically different from the amount reported on the label” – a finding consistent with many other studies.
Moreover, investigators reported that most products’ cannabinoid content fluctuated significantly over time, depending on the storage conditions (time and temperature) of the vape liquids.
The study’s authors concluded: “Results of this work demonstrates the discrepancies present between reported cannabinoid content and actual levels of CBD, THC, CBN, and CBDA in consumer-sold products. … Consumers should also be aware that handling and storage of purchased vape products can affect the product and its composition. Uncertainty in the content of products sold to consumer cannabis users raises concerns about dosing, safety, effectiveness, and potential interactions with other drugs.”
NORML and other groups have urged the FDA to establish regulatory guidelines governing the production, testing, labeling, and marketing of hemp-derived CBD products. Analyses conducted by the FDA and others have consistently reported that many over-the-counter CBD products are of variable quality and potency, and that they may contain contaminants, adulterants, or elevated levels of heavy metals.
Full text of the study, “An evaluation of the cannabinoid content of the liquid and thermal degradation analysis of cannabis-labeled vape liquids,” appears in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.