For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Dedham Police and Fire Departments Offer Guidance on CBD Products

DEDHAM — As CBD products become more readily available across Massachusetts, Police Chief Michael d’Entremont and Fire Chief William Spillane are urging Dedham residents to be cautious, research items before buying and remember that the drug’s legality at the federal level remains murky.

While many CBD products claim to cure physical pains, benefit mental health and even cure some illnesses, these benefits are largely unsubstantiated by science. Only one CBD drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration after it was studied closely. The drug treats seizures associated with severe epilepsy.

Because of a lack of regulation, some items that claim to be CBD can be dangerous to consumers. In December 2017 and January 2018, a group of approximately 50 people in Utah were sickened by a synthetic cannabinoid they were sold that was marketed as CBD. Some of their symptoms included an altered mental status, seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CBD, also known as cannabidiol, does not cause a high because it affects a different part of the nervous system than THC, an active chemical compound in marijuana.

CBD can be derived from both marijuana and hemp. Hemp-derived CBD can contain as much as 0.3 percent THC, and marijuana-derived CBD can contain more, according to the FDA.

Marijuana-derived CBD remains illegal federally, as a cannabis byproduct. Hemp, however, was legalized nationally in December 2018.

The Dedham Police and Fire Departments are urging parents, guardians, and caregivers to be vigilant that children do not become exposed to CBD products that can often be sold in candy form. There are many gummy candy CBD products, which can be attractive to young children.

CBD products, ranging to edible treats to oils to lotions, can be bought online and in retail stores in Massachusetts.

Finding reliable information on CBD is also challenging, as much of the information available online is created by pro-CBD and marijuana companies. As a result, the Dedham Police and Fire Departments encourage residents to carefully assess the reliability and accuracy of the sources they use to gather information regarding CBD.

###