Mass.-based marijuana company Curaleaf, which has a cultivation and manufacturing facility in Simsbury, has been warned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for illegally selling CBD online and claiming that products treat cancer, Alzheimer’s, opioid withdrawal, pain and pet anxiety.
According to the FDA, the company, headquartered in Wakefield, Mass., claims CBD has been found to counteract the spread of cancer, treat Pakrinson’s disease, treat anxiety, and help calm dogs.
CBD — or cannabidiol — is the non-psychoactive chemical in cannabis or hemp some say can help treat some ailments. Its legal status remains unclear even after Congress legalized hemp last year.
“As we examine potential regulatory pathways for the lawful marketing of products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds like CBD, protecting and promoting public health remains our top priority,” the FDA said in a statement. “Selling unapproved products with unsubstantiated therapeutic claims — such as claims that CBD products can treat serious diseases and conditions — can put patients and consumers at risk by leading them to put off important medical care.”
The agency has requested a response from Curaleaf within 15 working days stating how the company will correct the alleged violations.
With CBD becoming increasingly popular and CBD and other cannabis products not yet subject to FDA approval, the FDA wants companies to be cautious in making claims not backed by the FDA.
“Unsubstantiated claims associated with CBD products may lead consumers to put off getting important medical care, such as proper diagnosis, treatment and supportive care,” the agency said.
The company could not immediately be reached for comment.
Curaleaf is one of the largest cannabis firms in the country with a significant portion of its Massachusetts operations in Central Massachusetts.
The FDA’s action comes days after a coalition of state attorneys general, including Connecticut’s William Tong, appealed to the agency to ensure CBD products are safe and marketed accurately.
Hartford Business Journal contributed to this report
