Retailers' top CBD questions answered - April 2019

THIS MONTH’S CBD EXPERT: Douglas “Duffy” MacKay, ND, is the senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at CV Sciences. He has more than 20 years of experience in nutrition research, dietary supplements, health sciences and regulatory affairs, including 10 years with the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: What is a good checklist of things to look for when stocking CBD products?

As with all supplements, consumers and retailers looking for dietary supplements containing hemp-derived CBD should find brands that comply with U.S. quality and safety standards for supplements. They guarantee the identity, purity, strength and composition of the finished product.

Science: Buyers should seek out science-based companies that understand the exact composition of their hemp extracts and invest in a science portfolio to verify the benefits, as opposed to companies using borrowed science, with the assumption that all CBD products are the same—they are not.

Quality source: A quality starting material is essential. It’s important to ask manufacturers if the hemp used to make hemp-extract products is sourced from globally certified hemp seeds that are authentically food-fiber-type hemp. Products derived from marijuana and isolated CBD aren’t legally allowed in dietary supplements.

CGMP compliant facility: Buyers should ask for evidence demonstrating that the product they choose was made in a facility that complies with current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs).

Specific labeling: Look for products that include CBD, and the amount of it listed in milligrams, on the Supplement Facts panels of their labels, so consumers know exactly what they are buying. Another plus: companies that include QR codes on their labels and promote other transparency practices.

Certificate of analysis (COA): Making COAs available to consumers and buyers shows that the products have been tested for purity, potency and absence of harmful contaminants.

Post-market surveillance: Supplement marketers are legally required to have an adequate post-market adverse-event-surveillance program to monitor and report any adverse events to the FDA. This helps ensure there are no unexpected hazards when the general population consumes the product.

*Views expressed are those of CV Sciences and do not reflect the views of New Hope Network.