Why independent lab tests matter – lawsuits settled involving mislabeled wellness drops containing THC

Cannabis giant Curaleaf settled 10 lawsuits this week regarding mislabeled CBD drops containing a significant amount of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Curaleaf agreed to pay $50,000 to settle one case brought by an Idaho man, Ayuba Agbonkhese, after he made a visit to the emergency room following the use of Select CBD drops. Last September, Agbonkhese alleges he used the drops in the hopes of managing chronic back pain when he started feeling strange.

“I was in the hospital. I was stuttering and stammering. I couldn’t really walk. It was an awful experience,” Agbonkhese told Oregon Live. “I didn’t know what was happening. I thought I might be having a stroke.”

Doctors found THC in Agbonkhese’s system, and he wasn’t the only unsuspecting consumer. At least four people recounted going to the emergency room following their use of the mislabeled drops.

The wellness drops were labeled as a “broad-spectrum CBD” product containing no THC. The tainted drops and severe mislabeling became apparent when consumers, some who have never used marijuana, started experiencing severe impacts from the high dose of THC. Terms of the other nine suits have not been publicly disclosed, but all 10 lawsuits shed light on the need for brand transparency and third-party lab testing for all cannabinoid-based products.

Transparency in CBD is Key

The Massachusetts based company, Curaleaf, acquired Cura Cannabis also known as Select in 2019, a Portland based marijuana startup. Curaleaf and Oregon manufacturer Select claim that two product lines were mixed up and the manufacturing failure was due to “human error.”

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission started an investigation in September after recalling both the Select CBD drops as well as their THC drops, which were allegedly mixed up by company workers in a Portland facility.

Recreational marijuana has been legal in Oregon since 2015, but products with THC are subject to strict regulation and testing requirements. CBD on the other hand is regulated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and regulation is less stringent; further solidifying the need for independent lab tests to ensure product quality and label accuracy.

The mislabeled CBD drops from Select were supposed to be completely THC-free, but actually contained nearly 3 times the recommended dose of THC for regular users which is around 5 milligrams. Consumers who purchased the mislabeled CBD product had not anticipated getting high at all, but instead ingested a high dose of THC.

As the cannabis and hemp industries continue to grow, the need for independent lab testing and full transparency become more and more prevalent. Relying on third-party lab tests is the best way to know exactly what you are buying and consuming. Take the guesswork out of your CBD or cannabinoid-based product purchase and turn to Real Tested CBD. We bring transparent reviews and accurate independent lab test results directly to you. Click here to check out our Product Guides and find a reliable and legit cannabinoid product for you today.