

Hemp Authority, an industry group that certifies CBD cosmetics and dietary supplements.

"People have started to see the market grow and there are some fly-by-night companies trying to make a quick buck," said Marielle Weintraub, president of the U.S. Because testing by both authorities and AP focused on suspect products, the results are not representative of the overall market, which includes hundreds of products. Reporters then bought brands that law enforcement testing or online discussions identified as spiked. Mississippi authorities also found fentanyl, the powerful opioid involved in about 30,000 overdose deaths last year. Gummy bears and other edibles accounted for 36 of the hits, while nearly all others were vape products. At least 128 samples out of more than 350 tested by government labs in nine states, nearly all in the South, had synthetic marijuana in products marketed as CBD. The results of AP's lab testing echo what authorities have found, according to a survey of law enforcement agencies in all 50 states. The AP's investigation focused on yet another set of cases, in which psychoactive chemicals are added to products presented as CBD. Vaping in general has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks because hundreds of users have developed mysterious lung illnesses, and several have died. "It's Russian roulette," said James Neal-Kababick, director of Flora Research Laboratories, which tested the products. Four of those seven pods contained illegal synthetic marijuana, but which chemical varied by flavor and even location of purchase. Among them was Green Machine, a pod compatible with Juul electronic cigarettes that reporters bought in California, Florida and Maryland.
