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On 20 January 2023, the Dangerous Products and Services and Healthcare and Medicines Google Ads policies will be updated to allow for the promotion of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals containing cannabidiol (CBD) and topical, hemp-derived CBD products with THC content of 0.3% or less in California, Colorado and Puerto Rico. Certain formats, including YouTube Masthead, will not be eligible for serving. CBD will be removed from the Unapproved Pharmaceuticals and Supplements list. All ads promoting other CBD-based products, including supplements, food additives and inhalants, continue to be disallowed.
In the United States, only topical CBD products that have been certified by LegitScript can be promoted on Google. Certification will require that products sought to be advertised: (1) provide samples of their product to test for compliance with legal THC limits; and (2) provide LegitScript a third-party Certificate of Analysis. LegitScript doesn't certify FDA-approved pharmaceuticals with CBD.
LegitScript charges a fee for processing and monitoring applicants. To learn more about LegitScript certification and submit an application, visit the LegitScript website. Advertisers can apply for certification immediately.
Recreational CBD advertisers that are certified by LegitScript and FDA-approved pharmaceuticals containing CBD must then be certified by Google before they can begin advertising. Advertisers can request certification with Google starting on 20 January 2023, when the form is published.
(Posted December 2022)