The Federal Trade Commission is sending payments to 576 consumers nationwide who bought deceptively marketed cannabidiol (CBD) products from Arizona-based Kushly Industries LLC. In total, the FTC is returning almost $21,000 to consumers deceived by Kushly’s false or unsubstantiated claims about its CBD products, averaging $36 each.
Consumers will receive either a PayPal payment or a check in the mail. The deadline for consumers to cash their checks is November 22, 2022. PayPal payments must be claimed by September 23, 2022. Recipients who have questions about their refund should contact the refund administrator, Analytics, Inc., at 1-866-461-4332. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.
The FTC’s March 2021 complaint against Kushly and the company’s CEO, Cody Alt, alleged that they made false or unsubstantiated claims that their CBD products could effectively treat or cure a host of conditions—from common ailments, like acne and psoriasis, to more serious diseases, including cancer and multiple sclerosis. The complaint also alleged that the company falsely claimed that scientific studies or research had proven CBD products effectively treat, mitigate, or cure diseases, including hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2021, Commission actions led to more than $472 million in refunds to consumers across the country, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the Commission lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal court going forward. The Commission has urged Congress to restore the Commission’s ability to get money back for consumers.