The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers that the cannabis compound CBD "has the potential to harm you, and harm can happen even before you become aware of it." CBD, which has been seen primarily as a way to treat certain sicknesses and ailments, has become a widely used product.
“We remain concerned that some people wrongly think that the myriad of CBD products on the market, many of which are illegal, have been evaluated by the FDA and determined to be safe, or that trying CBD ‘can’t hurt,’” Amy Abernethy, the principal deputy commissioner of the FDA, said in a statement, according to CNBC.
The FDA on Monday issued letters to 15 companies for illegally selling CBD products, and noted that they cannot conclude that the compound is "generally recognized as safe" in food due to a lack of scientific evidence. The department also flagged "serious concerns" about the harm CBD can cause, including drowsiness, diarrhea, liver injury, and changes in mood.
Even celebrities have gotten into the CBD craze. Kim Kardashian, who on top of being married to Kanye, has a lot on her plate with studying to become a lawyer and multiple businesses, praised the compound in September. “How do I do it all? It is exhausting,” she said in an interview with People. “I just say CBD. But I do. It really has gotten me through a lot.”
The FDA plans to provide updates on how it will label and recognize CBD products in the near future.
