Some CBD Product label seals and claims sound good but don't mean much. Either the standards behind them are weak or they claim qualities that are practically meaningless because they are characteristic of all similar products. Today, the CBD (and other cannabinoids) market is flooded with products that are not trustworthy.
A seal from a group of unbiased physicians council with high integrity brings a consumer safety guard, help establish market standards and distinguish the very good brands from the thousands of nebulous quality products on the market.

We know from CR surveys that many consumers believe someone should check to determine whether the labeling claims they see are true. In fact, that often isn't the case: Most claims and seals that address how CBD products are produced have little guidance or check points.  

Unfortunately, even some lab reports have been found tempered with or have little to no transparency of data. In our review, we determine through verification the information provided by the brand.  We use a third-party lab “certified compliant” by the state of California (one of the strictest states) and the DEA, and factor our findings into every approval decision.

Verification can mean different things for different cannabis-derived products. The reason why we test the final product is to ensure that toxic chemicals, such as lead, are not transferred to the final product, by its packaging. 

For a seal or claim to be highly rated, standards must exist and those standards need to mean what consumers typically think they should mean. There are only few ways a consumer can verify if the content of the product is legitimate, clean and with accurate dosage.  It would be difficult, costly and time consuming for any consumers to try to find out if the information is real. 

In fact, a in a survey to consumers conducted by the PCC and Mace Media Group in 2022, a clear and decisive 89.5% of people responded yes (69%) maybe (20%) to the question: Would you be more inclined to buy a product bearing the Trusted Quality Seal from the Physicians Cannabinoid Council? While 87% declared to have a low understanding or awareness of what products contain, and are not at ease with understanding Certificate of Analysis (COA). A study conducted by the FDA in 2020 revealed that 64% of products tested contained illegal level of THC. Anecdotal studies conducted demonstrated that nearly 25 to 40% (depending on tested batches) of products labeled as CBD contains no CBD at all.  

What the seal means for consumers is that the PCC will have done the verification for them and that the PCC trust that the product meets the highest standards.  As any food or supplements, the PCC cannot guarantee or claim that someone will not be allergic to a product or that it does not interact with medication the consumer may take. What we ensure, is that we have tested the cleanness of the product and verified that brand claims, as well as content and potency claims are trusted.  

Yes, a license to use the Physicians Trusted Quality Seal (PTQS) is only valid for one year and only if the product consistently continues to meet the requirements of the (PTQS) program. The right to use the seal needs to be renewed on a yearly basis.  In the event that a company does not renew or stop meeting the quality standards of the PTQS certification, the company would need to stop using the seal on any future batch of that product and would need to remove from marketing material, including website, the mention of the certification and its visual associated content.

The cost of renewal varies according to production capacity and has a caped price ceiling to avoid out of reach pricing. Contact the physicians CBD council to understand the renewal fee according to your profile.  

A seal from a group of unbiased physicians council with high integrity brings a consumer safety guard, help establish market standards and distinguish the very good brands from the thousands of nebulous quality products on the market.

There are two areas of the certification process where the product can fail to pass:

1. The $600 application fee is non-reimbursable and if the company or its product manufacturing process does not meet the standard, a report with the details of where the company failed will be provided.  If the company corrects the situation and resubmit the application, no extra cost will be charged.  If the company fails the application and does not continue, the $600 is not reimbursed and the company will have to resubmit a new application and repay the fee if they wish to submit a new product.
2. When a company’s application is accepted, it means the product will go to the second phase of label review and testing and the company will need to settle the remaining $1500 to continue the process.  If at this stage the product testing fails, a failure identification report will be issued to the brand company.  

If you choose to correct the situation and resubmit the product for testing, the cost of handling and retesting will be $650. 

If you chose to abandon the process and not retest, the original payment of $1500 will be lost and non-reimbursable.
Unfortunately, even some lab reports have been found tempered with or have little to no transparency of data. In our review, we determine through verification the information provided by the brand.  We use a third-party lab “certified compliant” by the state of California (one of the strictest states) and the DEA, and factor our findings into every approval decision.

Verification can mean different things for different cannabis-derived products. The reason why we test the final product is to ensure that toxic chemicals, such as lead, are not transferred to the final product, by its packaging. 

Products that are inhaled such as vapes and flowers are not accepted in the certification program.  Physicians do not encourage people to smoke, since smoking in any forms is a health risk.  

We accept products made with

• Full-spectrum: Includes all parts of the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum products contain less than <0.3% THC.
• Broad-spectrum: This contains most of the cannabis plant compounds. ...
• Isolates: Only contain CBD, or only CBN or only CBG with no other cannabinoids or THC present

Also, products containing Delta 8 or 9 are not accepted for certification at this stage of the program (may be reviewed later on).  

1. Tinctures
2. Oils 
3. Topical cream
4. Topical Salves
5. Lipbalms
6. Skincare products
7. Gels and pills
8. Suppositories 
9. Intimacy lubricating oils
10. Massage oil and roll-ons
11. Bath bombs and bath salts
12. Gummies 
13. Patches and strips
14. Beverages

To receive the distinctive PCC Trusted Quality Seal, register your interest to be certified at physicianscbdcouncil.com. 

Evaluation of products is done in the same order as the reception of applications. We expect a high demand for this program, hence the earlier you whitelist your interest, the better your chance to be in the first comers to market.

Make your product stand out for quality, backed by evidence, evaluated by a distinguished & unbiased committee of physicians. 

Contact us: [email protected]

IMPORTANT

1. Review the application check list and get the information ready

2. Read the terms & conditions prior to contacting us.

3. Click on register your interest to reserve your certification review in the queue.

4. See the FAQ for details and pricing

5. Expect to be contacted within 5 business days to schedule an online appointment