Blunt and Joints are Still OK. FDA Clamps Down on California Startup Injectable Cannabis

Why Regulators Are Sounding the Alarm. Sacramento’s Pico IV recently received a shocking warning from the Food and Drug Administration regarding its contentious injectable CBD product made from hemp. According to the agency, the product—marketed as a “dietary supplement”—poses “serious risks” when injected directly into the bloodstream and violates federal drug laws.

What’s in the FDA’s Crosshairs?

First-of-Its-Kind Product:  Pico IV claims its IV-infused CBD is the world’s first injectable formula, touted for treating chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, and arthritis. Legal Gray Zone: The FDA argues injectables can’t be labeled as dietary supplements, which are meant for oral consumption.

Hidden Dangers:

Unregulated injectables risk infections, contaminants, or life-threatening complications if improperly manufactured. Pico IV’s Counterpunch: “We’re Compliant” CEO Joe Young fired back, insisting patient safety is “non-negotiable.” The company claims its CBD is: Sourced from U.S.-grown hemp. Exclusively sold to licensed clinics and providers. Rigorously tested by third-party labs for purity and sterility

But critics aren’t buying it. “Sterility testing doesn’t negate the fact that injecting CBD lacks FDA approval,” argues Dr. Lila Torres, a pharmacologist. “This sets a dangerous precedent.”

The CBD Industry’s Reckoning

This showdown underscores the Wild West reality of cannabis-derived products. While CBD creams and oils flood the market, injectables enter uncharted territory. Contamination scandals—like the 2023 crackdown on mold-tainted vapes—have left regulators wary.