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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:

  • CBD oils
  • gummies
  • drink mixes
  • capsules
  • topicals
  • animal products

Read on for our review of the brand, including their products and reputation among customers.

Pros of cbdMD

  • cbdMD has a generally positive reputation for high quality products.
  • All products are made with organic, non-GMO hemp grown in the United States.
  • All products are made in facilities that are certified compliant with good manufacturing practices (GMPs) by NSF International.
  • All products are comprehensively tested at an independent, third-party, ISO 17025 certified lab.
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Cons of cbdMD

  • Some cbdMD products are priced higher than similar products sold by other brands.
  • The company isn’t forthcoming about which farms grow their hemp.
  • There are some reports of poor customer service.
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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) warning letters issued against the company. The FDA sends out these warning letters when it finds that a brand has violated FDA regulations. To date, cbdMD hasn’t received one of these warning letters.

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.

Hemp source

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.

Manufacturing processes

In April 2020, the company was certified compliant with GMPs by NSF International.

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.

Lab testing

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:

  • the cannabinoid and terpene profile
  • potency
  • results for pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, yeast, and mold testing

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:

  • oils
  • gummies
  • topicals
  • capsules and softgels
  • sleep aids
  • pet products
  • bath bombs
  • beverages

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:

  • Veterans program: 40% discount on every product for all active or retired members of the U.S. armed forces
  • Disability program: 40% discount to customers who are legally disabled
  • First responders program: 40% discount on all purchases to first responders, which includes firefighters, police officers, emergency physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians

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.

Return policies

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.

BrandCBD typePrice rangeProduct range
cbdMDbroad-spectrum, full-spectrum $–$$$oils, topicals, gummies, drink mixes, capsules, pet products
Kanibifull-spectrum, CBD isolate$$–$$$oils, topicals, gummies, softgels
Joy Organicsbroad-spectrum, full-spectrum$–$$$oils, topicals, gummies, softgels, pet products
Social CBDbroad-spectrum, CBD isolate$–$$oils, topicals, gummies, capsules, pet products

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 research. However, side effects are possible. It’s important to monitor yourself and how you’re feeling when taking it. If you notice any of the following, stop using CBD:

  • fatigue, tiredness, or exhaustion
  • diarrhea
  • reduced appetite
  • weight loss

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 has been found to increase CBD blood concentrations.

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.

Is cbdMD a good brand?

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.

Will cbdMD products show up on a drug test?

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.

What’s the best cbdMD product for beginners?

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.

Will cbdMD get me ‘high’?

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.

Where can I find lab test results for cbdMD?

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.

What other products does cbdMD sell?

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.