A comparison of advertised versus actual cannabidiol (CBD) content of oils, aqueous tinctures, e-liquids and drinks purchased in the UK

Abstract Background Cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products are sold widely in consumer stores, but concerns have been raised regarding their quality, with notable discrepancies between advertised and actual CBD content. Information is limited regarding how different types of CBD products may differ in their deviation from advertised CBD concentrations. Therefore, CBD concentrations were quantified and compared in aqueous tinctures, oils, e-liquids and drinks. Methods Products (13 aqueous tinctures, 29 oils, 10 e-liquids and 11 drinks) were purchased online in the UK. CBD concentrations were quantified in aqueous tinctures, oils and e-liquids via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and in drinks via gas chromatograhy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results Measured concentrations fell −25.7 ± 17.3, −6.1 ± 7.8, −6.9 ± 4.6 and − 0.03 ± 0.06 mg/mL below advertised concentrations for aqueous tinctures, oils, e-liquids and drinks, respectively (medians ± interquartile ranges; p