Where can you find trustworthy information?

Arthritis Foundation

arthritis.org

The largest nonprofit organization focused on arthritis in the United States. Publishes patient-facing CBD guidance updated most recently in July 2024. Their position is cautiously permissive: they do not endorse CBD, but they provide practical guidance for adults who choose to try it. They also fund research.

Note: The Arthritis Foundation conducted a 2019 patient survey on CBD use.^{(Arthritis Foundation 2019)} They have no financial relationship with CBD manufacturers.

American College of Rheumatology (ACR)

rheumatology.org

The professional society for rheumatologists — the physicians who specialize in arthritis and related conditions. The ACR publishes clinical practice guidelines for osteoarthritis management. Their 2019 osteoarthritis guideline conditionally recommends against using CBD (insufficient evidence).^{(Kolasinski 2020)} More recent guidelines have not changed this position.

Their guidelines page: rheumatology.org/osteoarthritis-guideline

NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

nccih.nih.gov

The federal agency that funds research into complementary approaches — including cannabis and cannabinoids. Their consumer page on cannabis and cannabinoids explains what the evidence does and does not support. They also publish information on ongoing NIH-funded research, including investigations into minor cannabinoids and terpenes for pain.

Consumer page: nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know

FDA — Food and Drug Administration

fda.gov — CBD consumer page

The FDA regulates drugs, dietary supplements, and food. No CBD product is FDA-approved for arthritis. The FDA's consumer page explains what is and is not known about CBD safety, and what the agency is working to understand. Their warning letter database shows which companies have been cited for illegal health claims.

Warning letters search: fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters

CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

cdc.gov/arthritis

The CDC tracks arthritis prevalence, disability, and costs in the United States. Their arthritis page covers evidence-based self-management programs, physical activity guidance, and weight management — approaches with more clinical support than CBD for most patients. They do not publish CBD-specific guidance.

FDA MedWatch — adverse events and safety concerns

fda.gov/safety/medwatch

Use MedWatch to report a health problem you believe was caused by a CBD product — unexpected side effects, a bad reaction, a serious illness. You can report even if you are not certain the product was the cause. Your report contributes to FDA's safety surveillance.

FTC — False advertising complaints

reportfraud.ftc.gov

Use the FTC's complaint portal if a company made health claims that turned out to be false or misleading — for example, claiming CBD was "clinically proven" or "FDA-approved" for arthritis pain. The FTC has brought enforcement actions against CBD companies for false advertising under its Operation CBDeceit initiative.

State Attorney General — Fraud

Your state's attorney general handles consumer fraud complaints. This is the appropriate channel if a company charged you for products you did not order, enrolled you in a subscription without consent, or engaged in other deceptive business practices. Search for "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find the right form.

Better Business Bureau — Business complaints

bbb.org/file-a-complaint

The BBB handles complaints about business practices. This is appropriate for issues like failure to deliver products, refund disputes, or misleading advertising that does not rise to the level of fraud.

Poison Control — 1-800-222-1222

Poison Control is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222. They handle questions about CBD reactions, overdoses, and suspected medication interactions. Free and confidential.