McMaster analysis reveals label inaccuracies in legal Canadian cannabis oil products

Researchers at McMaster University have uncovered significant differences in the labelling accuracy of legal cannabis oil products in Ontario, casting doubts on the quality control measures currently in place.

The study, the first of its kind in the Canadian market, examined the accuracy of THC and CBD levels in 30 randomly selected oral cannabis oil products sold through the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS).THC is the psychoactive ingredient responsible for the intoxicating effect of cannabis, while CBD does not produce a high.

Despite strict federal regulations designed to ensure the accuracy of cannabis product labels, the study found one in three oil products inaccurately label THC or CBD content and revealed that a sizable portion of products do not adhere to the allowable limits.

Canadian cannabis regulations allow for ±15 per cent variability in THC or CBD content for extracts such as oils. The study shows 40 per cent of the products assessed went beyond acceptable amounts in THC content, and 10 per cent for CBD content – with most differences involving reports of more THC or CBD than was present in the product.

“The differences we found are concerning, although our analysis found no products that presented a public safety issue, such as products with unexpectedly high THC levels,” says Amanda Doggett, lead author, and postdoctoral fellow at the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research. “Nonetheless, the instances of mislabelling THC and CBD content represent product quality control and consumer transparency issues.”

The research also highlighted issues with consistency within the labels themselves, where 17 per cent of the products showed conflicting information between various parts of the label itself, and 33 per cent of product labels also differed from the THC/CBD amounts that were advertised on the OCS website at the time of purchase. This inconsistency could lead to further confusion and potential misuse by consumers.

Findings from this analysis highlight the need for enhanced oversight and enforcement of labelling standards within the legal cannabis market in Canada. “Our findings may serve as a canary in the coal mine, and testing of other cannabis products may be likely to reinforce findings of widespread mislabelling,” says Jason Busse, coauthor and associate director of the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research.

The researchers are calling for action from regulatory bodies to address these quality control issues to safeguard consumer interests and uphold the integrity of Canada’s legal cannabis market.

James MacKillop, coauthor and director of the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, notes that “a primary objective of the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada was to protect public health through enforced product safety and quality requirements and these findings make the status of that goal an open question.”

For more details about the study, read the Research Letter published in JAMA Network Open.