Two-Thirds of CBD Tinctures Sold Online Have Inaccurate Labels
Lab testing of 18 CBD tinctures sold online found 12 (67%) had inaccurately labeled CBD concentrations, with broad-spectrum products significantly less accurate than full-spectrum.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
12 of 18 CBD tinctures had CBD concentrations deviating more than 10% from labeled amounts. Broad-spectrum tinctures were significantly less accurate than full-spectrum (p = 0.0282). No correlation between price and accuracy (p = 0.2117). Two broad-spectrum tinctures contained Δ9-THC despite being labeled THC-free. All full-spectrum tinctures had THC below the 0.3% federal limit.
Key Numbers
18 tinctures tested; 12 (67%) inaccurately labeled for CBD; significant accuracy difference between broad- vs. full-spectrum (p = 0.0282); no price-accuracy correlation (p = 0.2117); 2 broad-spectrum products contained undisclosed Δ9-THC.
How They Did This
Reverse-phase HPLC-UV analysis of 18 CBD tincture samples from different brands sold online in the United States. Labels deemed inaccurate if actual CBD deviated by more than 10% from labeled amount.
Why This Research Matters
Consumers relying on label accuracy for dosing decisions are being misled by the majority of products. For people using CBD for specific health conditions, inaccurate labels mean unreliable dosing.
The Bigger Picture
This study adds to a growing body of evidence that the unregulated CBD market has a serious quality control problem. Without FDA oversight, consumers cannot trust product labels, which undermines both safety and the ability to use CBD effectively.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample of 18 products from online retailers only. Single testing method (HPLC-UV). Does not capture the full diversity of products on the market. Products were purchased at one time point.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would FDA regulation of CBD products improve label accuracy?
- ?Are products sold in dispensaries more accurately labeled than online products?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Direct laboratory measurement provides reliable data, but small sample size (18 products) limits generalizability.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication.
- Original Title:
- Substances of Health Concern: Label Accuracy of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol in Commercial Cannabidiol Tinctures from the United States.
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research (2025)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07745
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CBD product labels accurate?
In this study, 67% of CBD tinctures sold online had CBD concentrations that deviated more than 10% from what the label stated. Broad-spectrum products were significantly less accurate than full-spectrum.
Can CBD products contain THC even if labeled THC-free?
Yes. Two broad-spectrum tinctures in this study contained Δ9-THC despite being marketed as THC-free. This could cause unexpected psychoactive effects or failed drug tests.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07745APA
Sullivan, Zander; Lapierre, Coady; Weiser Erlandson, Laura; Pham, Linh. (2025). Substances of Health Concern: Label Accuracy of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol in Commercial Cannabidiol Tinctures from the United States.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2025.0016
MLA
Sullivan, Zander, et al. "Substances of Health Concern: Label Accuracy of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol in Commercial Cannabidiol Tinctures from the United States.." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2025.0016
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Substances of Health Concern: Label Accuracy of Cannabidiol ..." RTHC-07745. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/sullivan-2025-substances-of-health-concern
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.