Practical Guide

How do you evaluate a CBD product?

What types of CBD products exist?

CBD products are grouped by how much of the original hemp plant chemistry they retain. Whether one type works better than another for arthritis has not been established in clinical trials.

How to read a Certificate of Analysis (COA)

A Certificate of Analysis is a document from a testing laboratory that shows the chemical analysis of a specific product batch. It is the closest thing to independent quality verification available to a consumer.

1. Check the lab is ISO 17025 accredited. ISO 17025 is the international standard for testing laboratories. It means the lab has been independently audited for accuracy and reliability. Search for the lab name in accreditation body databases (ANAB, A2LA, IAS).
2. Verify the batch number matches your product. The batch or lot number on the COA must match the number printed on your product label. If they do not match, the COA does not apply to your product.
3. Check the cannabinoid profile matches the label. The CBD content should be within 10% of the label claim. The US Pharmacopeia uses this as the accuracy threshold. If the label says 1,000 mg, the COA should show 900 to 1,100 mg.
4. Look for contaminant testing. A complete COA includes panels for heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury), pesticides, residual solvents, and microbial contamination. If any panel is missing, the testing is incomplete.
5. Check the date. A COA older than 12 months may not reflect the current batch. Stale test results are a concern.

What are the red flags?

These warning signs suggest a product should be avoided.

• ✖ No COA available. The company does not provide third-party test results. You have no independent verification of what is in the product.
• ✖ Health claims on the label. Claims that CBD "cures," "treats," or "prevents" any disease are illegal under federal law. The FDA has issued 79 or more warning letters to companies making such claims.
• ✖ "Cures" or "treats" language. The FTC's Operation CBDeceit (2020) sanctioned companies for claims including "medically proven" pain relief and "more effective than OxyContin."
• ✖ Unrealistic pricing. If a product is dramatically cheaper than others, it may contain less CBD than claimed, use lower-quality ingredients, or skip contaminant testing.
• ✖ No batch numbers. Without a batch number, you cannot match the product to a specific COA. The company also cannot conduct a meaningful recall if a problem is discovered.

Sources: FTC Operation CBDeceit, 2020; Wagoner et al., Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2021 (PMC8713259); Gidal et al., Front Pharmacol. 2024.

Product evaluation checklist

This checklist covers what independent testing organizations look for when evaluating CBD products.