An Analysis of Over-the-Counter Cannabidiol Products in the United Kingdom.

Introduction: Over-the-counter cannabidiol (CBD) products have seen unprecedented recent growth in the United Kingdom. However, analysis of these predominantly unregulated products from other countries tells us that they are often mislabeled or contain unlabeled and potentially dangerous chemicals. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze CBD oils available in the United Kingdom. Materials and Methods: Phytocannabinoids, residual solvent, and heavy metals were measured blinded in 29 widely available CBD products by an independent testing facility using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection for cannabinoids, Headspace-gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for residual solvents, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for heavy metals. Results: The mean advertised CBD content was 4.5%, and the actual mean measured CBD content of products was 3.2% (p=0.053, Mann-Whitney test). Only 11/29 (38%) products were within 10% of the advertised CBD content. Fifty five percent of products had measurable levels of the controlled substances Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (mean content 0.04%) or cannabinol (mean content 0.01%), as well as most other phytocannabinoid compounds including cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidivarin (CBDV), and cannabidivarin acid (CBDVA). Detectable levels of N-pentane, ethanol, isopropanol, heptane, lead, and arsenic were found in many of the CBD products, but these were within acceptable levels. Conclusions: As demonstrated in other countries, the quality of over-the-counter CBD products in the United Kingdom can be substandard, particularly with regard to CBD content, and often contains levels of controlled substances. We recommend that these products be more strictly regulated for consumer welfare.

Towards Better Delivery of Cannabidiol (CBD).

Cannabidiol (CBD) has substantial therapeutic potential, but its development as an effective drug by the pharmaceutical industry is hindered by intrinsic characteristics such as low bioavailability, low water solubility, and variable pharmacokinetic profiles. Importantly, lack of patentability of the drug substance also limits the likelihood of an expensive, full development programme in anything other than orphan indications. Potential avenues to overcome these issues with CBD include self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, improved crystal formulations and other solid-state delivery formulations, which are mostly in the pre-clinical or early clinical stages of development. This review identifies issues compromising current delivery of solid-state CBD, and how advanced pharmaceutical development strategies can enable CBD to realise the full potential as a successful therapeutic agent.