A federal lawsuit filed Monday seeks class-action status and $200 apiece for hundreds of consumers who bought CBD wellness drops in Oregon last year that inadvertently contained high doses of a psychoactive ingredient.
CBD is made from hemp and usually doesn’t include THC, the substance in marijuana that produces a high. Last year, though, marijuana manufacturer Curaleaf inadvertently confused CBD and THC during production.
That resulted in hundreds of people buying CBD products that actually contained high doses of THC. More than a dozen people reported becoming ill; at least five went to the emergency room.
Oregon regulators recalled all the bottles last year, sold under the Select brand, and have proposed a 70-day suspension and record, $200,000 fine for Curaleaf.
The Massachusetts company has settled 10 lawsuits brought by customers who reported becoming ill after buying the products. Michael Fuller, the Portland attorney who brought those suits, now has filed separate litigation seeking compensation for everyone who purchased the mislabeled CBD – whether or not it made them ill.
Earlier this year, Fuller settled a similar lawsuit he brought against Cura Cannabis – which Curaleaf had acquired – for mislabeling marijuana vapes. That settlement produced a $200 payout for each consumer.
Curaleaf declined comment on the pending litigation, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Portland. The company previously acknowledged its production mistake and says it has made several reforms to prevent similar incidents.
— Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | Twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699
Original Article: Source