CBD Products Are Not 
Created Equal

Cannabis plant with molecular structure diagrams of Delta-9-THC and CBD labeled
1UNDERSTAND
The cannabis plant is complex

The cannabis plant contains many cannabinoids (molecules) including CBD and THC. 1

Two silhouetted figures at sunset, one labeled THC with a spinning head indicating intoxication, and one labeled CBD with a lightbulb indicating clarity
2COMPARE
CBD and THC act 
differently in the body

THC binds to receptors in the brain and can make people feel “high”.2 CBD binds to different receptors in the brain and does not make people feel "high".3

Doctor with a stethoscope sitting alongside an older female patient reviewing information on a tablet
3STAY AWARE
Be careful with CBD products
that are under regulated

FDA-approved medicines must follow rules for safety, purity, correct labeling, and are tested for how well they work.4-6 The FDA works to ensure the risks and benefits of drugs are balanced to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

When it comes to CBD, science and proper oversight are your friend.

Medicines must be tested in clinical research with people to make sure they work and are safe to use.7,8

1
Phase 1 20-100 participants
2
Phase 2 100-300 participants
3
Phase 3 300-3,000 participants
4
FDA Approval If medicine shown to be safe and effective for its intended use
5
Phase 4 1,000+ participants

1. ElSohly M, Gul W. Constituents of Cannabis sativa. In: Pertwee R, ed. Handbook of Cannabis. Oxford University Press; 2014:3-22:chap 1.

2. Rosenberg EC, Tsien RW, Whalley BJ, Devinsky O. Cannabinoids and Epilepsy. Neurotherapeutics. Oct 2015;12(4):747-68. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0375-5

3. Perucca E. Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Hard Evidence at Last? J Epilepsy Res. Dec 2017;7(2):61-76. doi:10.14581/jer.17012

4. US Food and Drug Administration. Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Compounds: Quality Considerations for Clinical Research Guidance for Industry. 2020. Accessed Feb 9, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/media/140319/download 

5. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA and Cannabis: Research and Drug Approval Process. Updated Feb 24, 2023. Accessed Sept 2, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process 

6. US Food and Drug Administration. Expiration Dating and Stability Testing for Human Drug Products. Updated Nov 7, 2014. Accessed Sep 16, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/inspection-technical-guides/expiration-dating-and-stability-testing-human-drug-products 

7. US Food and Drug Administration. Step 3: Clinical Research. FDA.gov. 2018. Accessed Sep 29, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/patients/drug-development-process/step-3-clinical-research 

8. US Food and Drug Administration. Step 4: FDA Drug Review. FDA.gov. 2018. Accessed Sept 29, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/patients/drug-development-process/step-4-fda-drug-review