CBD Gummies Study Reveals Inconsistent Product Labeling

Researchers from the University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky), conducted a study recently that confirmed that the cannabis industry is still experiencing inaccurate product labeling (1). The study (2) focused particularly on the cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), and investigated 56 CBG gummy products that were available for purchase online from a variety of brands. To analyze the products selected researchers utilized liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS).

After collecting all of the data, researchers found that 70% of the gummy products consisted of CBD amounts that differed by more than 10% of the dose that was listed on the product’s packaging (1-3). Additionally, 39% of the tested products contained delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and delta-8 THC. The Hemp Gazette (1) mentioned how “This was particularly problematic in instances where the presence of THC in whatever amount wasn’t mentioned on labeling. While the THC content wasn’t particularly high, it could be enough to trigger positive drug tests.”

“Unregulated CBD product packaging is not an accurate indication of the product constituents,” Researchers expressed (1-3). “CBD products do not have reliable CBD concentrations, both relative to the dose listed on the label and among individual gummies within the same bottle. These products also frequently contain delta-9-THC (and occasionally delta-8-THC), often unbeknownst to the consumer. The results of this study support the growing body of literature suggesting the necessity of CBD product regulation to ensure customer health and safety.”

In April 2025, the US House Oversight Committee held a hearing with US Hemp Roundtable General Counsel Jonathan Miller where he discussed the lack of movement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on regulating products in the hemp industry such as those that include CBD (1). “We as an industry strongly oppose the sale of these products, the marketing of these products, to children and really we’re looking for the FDA’s help to ensure that doesn’t happen,” Miller said (1).

Organizations such as NORML (3), have been encouraging the FDA to form regulatory guidance regarding “the production, testing, labeling, and marketing of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.” The organization reported that third-party analyses organized by the FDA has shown that CBD products, as well as other hemp-derived cannabinoid products, have differed on the potency on the label and included other components that could be harmful to consumers such as, high levels of heavy metals, adulterants, and other contaminants (3).

References

1. Jalimnson, G. Study finds CBD gummy labelling unreliable https://hempgazette.com/news/cbd-gummy-labeling-hg2492/ (accessed Jun 16, 2025).
2. Johnson ED, Kilgore MW, Stafford M, Randolph M, Glover M, Babalonis S. Cannabidiol Gummy Products: LC-MS/MS Assessment of Cannabinoid Concentrations. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. Published online June 2, 2025. doi:10.1089/can.2024.0167
3. Norml. Most commercial CBD gummy products lack accurate labeling https://norml.org/news/2025/06/12/analysis-most-commercially-available-cbd-gummy-products-lack-accurate-labeling/ (accessed Jun 16, 2025).