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Proponents of cannabidiol (CBD) say it’s useful for a range of health and wellness concerns, from poor sleep to anxiety, pain, and more.
And while CBD products have been around for a couple of years now, they’re only growing more popular as more companies step in and create new products containing the cannabinoid.
One company is cbdMD, which offers:
Read on for our review of the brand, including their products and reputation among customers.
Incorporated in 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina, cbdMD currently has an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating. However, cbdMD is not a BBB-accredited business. (Businesses accredited by the BBB must pay a fee and meet certain customer service standards.)
One way to check a CBD company’s reputation is to look for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
However, cbdMD does have a couple of pending lawsuits. The company is listed as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in California alleging that cbdMD’s tinctures and products were illegally sold as unapproved drugs. The lawsuit challenges the legality of CBD products as a whole.
In March 2021, the judge in the California class action suit stayed the action until the FDA completes its rule-making and/or Congress passes legislation specific to the marketing and labeling of CBD products. The case is considered administratively closed during the stay.
Additionally, another class action lawsuit was filed by two customers in California regarding the company’s data breaches in spring 2020.
The plaintiffs allege that cbdMD’s negligence resulted in the leak of personal information that was then used by third parties to make fraudulent transfers and purchases.
In August 2021, cbdMD and the defendants agreed to a settlement that includes a claim reimbursement to those affected by the breach, as well as changes to the company’s business practices for improved security.
cbdMD is fairly transparent about how they produce and test their products, though there’s some room for improvement.
According to cbdMD, the hemp used in their products come from farms across the United States. The company doesn’t specify exactly where these farms are located.
In April 2020, the company was certified compliant with
GMPs are the FDA’s standards for how products are made, stored, labeled, and tested. Choosing a brand that’s certified compliant with GMPs is one sign that the company produces trustworthy products.
Each of cbdMD’s products is sent to an independent, third-party, ISO 17025 certified lab, according to the company.
The testing is comprehensive, showing:
You can access the certificate of analysis (COA) for each product here using the batch number listed on the packaging. If you want to review the COA before making a purchase, you can find them linked on the individual product pages.
Most of cbdMD’s products are made with broad-spectrum CBD, which means that the terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and cannabinoids from the hemp are extracted into the product.
Broad-spectrum CBD is free of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the intoxicating component of the cannabis plant.
CBD also has a limited line of CBD products, including oils and softgels, made with full-spectrum CBD.
Full-spectrum CBD includes all the compounds found in the hemp plant, including up to 0.3% THC.
cbdMD offers a range of CBD products, including:
It’s worth noting that there’s limited research on how CBD affects pets. It’s best to talk with a veterinarian before giving CBD to your pet.
Additionally, while some cbdMD products contain added vitamins, minerals, or supplements — like melatonin to help you sleep — not much is known about how CBD interacts with other substances. Talk with a doctor before trying one of these products.
Across the categories, the company offers a range of flavors and potencies from 300 milligrams (mg) to 7,500 mg. Pricing varies depending on potency and product size.
When it comes to discount programs, cbdMD has three:
To access any of these programs, contact cbdMD’s customer service department to set up an account for easy ordering.
The customer reviews on cbdMD are all overwhelmingly positive. Keep in mind, though, that it’s easy to find rave reviews on a company’s own website.
On other sites, reviews are mixed. There are only a handful of reviews on the BBB, and all but one are critical. They allege poor customer service practices and faulty products.
On Trustpilot, of the 11 reviews, 5 are rated 5 stars and 6 are 1 star. It’s up to you to read the reviews and make a judgment for yourself.
cbdMD has a clearly stated return policy. Customers have a 60-day, money-back guarantee, though all refunds and exchanges are subject to review, the company adds.
If you have an issue with your product or order, you can find a customer service phone number and email for cbdMD on its site.
It’s a good idea to compare CBD brands to find products that are best suited to your needs. cbdMD is often compared to other popular brands like:
They offer a similar range of products and price points, though not all of these companies use organic CBD like cbdMD does.
Another key difference is that cbdMD doesn’t offer CBD isolate products like FAB CBD and CBDistillery do. Instead, they focus on mostly broad-spectrum products, with a few full-spectrum in the mix.
CbdMD ships via USPS priority shipping with 2- or 3-day shipping. Orders under $59.99 pay a flat $3.99 shipping fee, while orders over $59.99 ship free. This makes shipping faster and cheaper than other brands, which have higher minimums to qualify for free shipping and ship more slowly. They also have an auto-ship option.
Additionally, while Charlotte’s Web and FAB CBD only allow returns within 30 days, cbdMD gives customers 60 days to make a return.
These vegan CBD gummies come in tropical flavors, and they’re made with natural coloring.
If you’re new to CBD, gummies can be a good place to start. They offer a precise amount of CBD, so you can easily manage how much you’re consuming.
cbdMD suggests starting with one gummy in the morning and one in the evening, but first-timers can begin with one and build from there.
One thing to keep in mind with gummies is that to make them taste good, they contain added sugar. Each cbdMD gummy has 2 grams of sugar, equivalent to half a teaspoon.
“I like that there are four flavors in each bottle. Helps keep things interesting! The gummies are coated in sugar and I noticed a slight aftertaste and dry mouth after taking one.”
“I am a big fan of these gummies. After taking one gummy before bed, I noticed feeling considerably more relaxed and sleepy about 40 minutes in.” — Christy Snyder, Editor II
“I like that there are four flavors in each bottle. Helps keep things interesting! The gummies are coated in sugar and I noticed a slight aftertaste and dry mouth after taking one.”
“I am a big fan of these gummies. After taking one gummy before bed, I noticed feeling considerably more relaxed and sleepy about 40 minutes in.” — Christy Snyder, Editor II
This CBD oil is vegan and gluten-free with only three simple ingredients:
The taste of plain CBD oil can be rough for some people. The benefit of choosing a flavored product like berry is that it offsets some of that natural taste. The berry flavor tastes like jammy blackberry.
To take a CBD oil, simply put it under your tongue and hold it there for up to 1 minute. You can also mix the oil into food or drinks if you find holding oil under your tongue unappealing.
“I’ve found this oil useful on days when my anxiety rears up. It helps relax some of the tension I hold in my shoulders. But it does make me pretty sleepy. The taste and aftertaste were tolerable, but not great.” — Corie Osborn, Senior Editor
“I’ve found this oil useful on days when my anxiety rears up. It helps relax some of the tension I hold in my shoulders. But it does make me pretty sleepy. The taste and aftertaste were tolerable, but not great.” — Corie Osborn, Senior Editor
CBD Freeze is a roll-on CBD topical designed for on-the-spot relief. It’s a cooling gel with broad-spectrum CBD and menthol to help temporarily ease muscle and joint pain. It also includes arnica, tea tree oil, and aloe vera.
The roll-on applicator minimizes mess and makes it easy to apply right where you need it.
Reviewers say it works well to relieve pain and isn’t sticky.
“I’ve used this product off and on for a few weeks to relieve neck pain. I love the icy cold sensation that it provides. It’s definitely not a long-term solution, but it provides noticeable relief for 15 to 20 minutes.”
“I do worry about it staining my clothes, because it’s pretty wet when it first goes on, so I’ve been careful not to let it touch anything nice.” — Corie Osborn, Senior Editor
“I’ve used this product off and on for a few weeks to relieve neck pain. I love the icy cold sensation that it provides. It’s definitely not a long-term solution, but it provides noticeable relief for 15 to 20 minutes.”
“I do worry about it staining my clothes, because it’s pretty wet when it first goes on, so I’ve been careful not to let it touch anything nice.” — Corie Osborn, Senior Editor
When choosing a product from cbdMD, consider what you’re using it for.
For example, if you’re looking to try CBD to support mental health or other full-body benefits, then a tincture or gummy may be right for you.
If you’re hoping to use CBD for skin care or want to target a specific part of your body, like a sore shoulder, then consider a topical, like a roll-on or lotion.
However, no matter which product you choose, be sure to pick one that has a comprehensive COA that includes contaminant testing information.
cbdMD’s products are available in a variety of potencies.
If you’re unsure about what dose is right for you, start with the lowest dose available. Then assess how you feel and note whether you experience any side effects.
If you don’t have side effects but know you need a stronger dose for the desired effect, you can increase the dosage by either taking more or switching to a more potent product.
cbdMD recommends sticking with a product for 30 days and using it consistently for best results.
CBD is generally considered to be safe, according to
Before starting CBD, talk with a doctor. Ask them if anything you’re currently taking, including supplements, prescription, and over-the-counter medications, could potentially interact with CBD.
Also, it matters how you take CBD and what you eat with it. Taking CBD along with a high fat or high calorie meal
Alcohol and whole milk also enhance CBD concentrations but not as much as a fatty meal.
This effect might be appealing to some people, but it’s important to know that a higher blood level may leave you at higher risk of side effects.
It’s unlikely that CBD will produce serious side effects, particularly those that won’t go away on their own within a few hours. That’s why you may not need to see a doctor or other healthcare professional for minor CBD side effects, such as redness or skin irritation if using a topical.
Still, it’s smart to speak with a doctor or other healthcare professional before using CBD, especially if you’ve experienced side effects before. If your doctor recommends CBD, make sure to explain the side effects of your prior experience.
Yes, cbdMD has a generally positive to mid-range reputation for high quality products. Reviews on the company website are overwhelmingly positive, but you can find complaints relating to customer service on third-party sites.
They might. cbdMD uses broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD from hemp plants that have less than 0.3% THC, but trace amounts may remain in finished products. While the likelihood that consuming CBD could lead to a positive drug test for THC is low, it’s still a possibility.
cbdMD Premium CBD Oil is a good beginner product. It’s available in several potencies and flavors, and it’s a versatile consumption method. You can try it sublingually, or beneath the tongue, for the most rapid onset of effects, or add it to morning or evening beverages. The dropper also makes it easy to dose.
cbdMD Tropical Gummies are another good choice for beginners, since they’re pre-measured. You can purchase these in a low potency version that contains only 10 mg of CBD per gummy.
Broad-spectrum CBD products must legally have less than 0.3% THC, the chemical that can cause a “high” or euphoric effect. This percentage is low enough to not cause any intoxicating effects.
cbdMD posts their COA lab test results on their website here and on each product page. The latest lab test results can be reviewed at any time.
cbdMD sells cannabinoid products like tinctures, gummies, topical products, sleep aids, capsules, bath products, and drink mixes.
cbdMD offers broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD tinctures, gummies, capsules, topicals, and pet products.
The company is GMP certified and fairly transparent about their products and processes. They offer comprehensive product testing results, discount programs, and fast, inexpensive shipping.
Be sure to talk with a doctor before taking CBD.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
Jessica Timmons has been a freelance writer for more than a decade. She writes, edits, and consults for a great group of steady accounts and the occasional one-off project, all while juggling the busy lives of her four kids with her ever-accommodating husband. She loves weightlifting, really great lattes, and family time.
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer specializing in health, nutrition, and fitness content. She lives in Chicago with her husband, two young sons, and rescue pup. Find her on LinkedIn or on Instagram.
Last medically reviewed on October 16, 2023
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Dec 14, 2023
Written By
Jessica Migala, Jessica Timmons
Edited By
Christina Snyder
Copy Edited By
Delores Smith-Johnson
Oct 16, 2023
Medically Reviewed By
Eloise Theisen, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC
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