United States of America

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20580

Serena Viswanathan

Associate Director

Division of Advertising Practices

April 4, 2022

CEASE AND DESIST DEMAND

VIA EMAIL TO support@extractlabs.com

Craig Henderson, CEO

Extract Labs, Inc.

1399 Horizon Ave.

Lafayette, CO 80026

Re: Unsubstantiated claims for Coronavirus prevention or treatment

Dear Mr. Henderson:

This is to advise you that FTC staff has reviewed your website at 

https://www.extractlabs.com/ in March 2022. We also reviewed your social media websites at 

https://www.facebook.com/1extractlabs/, https://www.instagram.com/extractlabs/, 

https://www.instagram.com/extractlabswholesale, and https://twitter.com/extractlabs, where you 

direct consumers to your website, https://www.extractlabs.com/, to purchase CBD products. We 

have determined that you are unlawfully advertising that certain products treat or prevent 

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Some examples of Coronavirus prevention or cure claims on your websites include:

• On your website at https://www.extractlabs.com/product/immune-support-cbgacbda-tincture/, where consumers can purchase your Immune Support CBGa CBDa 

Tincture, you state:

“The first tincture of its kind – contains a 1:1:1:1 ratio of CBGa, CBDa, CBG, and 

CBD. A blend of raw hemp extracts yields a totally natural tincture, rich in rare 

cannabinoids....

Our Immune Support Tincture is the first product of its kind. Most tinctures on the 

market will only have trace amounts of CBGa and CBDa as heat from the 

manufacturing process converts these molecules to CBG and CBD. Being a totally 

verticle [sic] company, our scientists were able to develop a proprietary method for 

processing these delicate cannabinoids and formulate them into a tincture without 

converting them. The final result of their hard work – a tincture that is rich in CBGa, 
Craig Henderson 

Extract Labs, Inc.

April 4, 2022

Page 2

CBDa, CBG, and CBD. Extract Labs is proud to be the first to bring a cannabinoid 

blend of this caliber to market.

CBGa and CBDa have become the subject of a recent study on how cannabinoids 

interact with Covid-19. The researchers found that two cannabinoid acids commonly 

found in hemp, cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, and cannabidiolic acid, also known as 

CBDA, can bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid19. By binding to the spike protein, the compounds can prevent the virus from 

entering cells and causing infection, potentially offering new avenues to prevent and 

treat the disease.”

• On your website at https://www.extractlabs.com/cbd-guides/what-is-cbga-and-whatis-cbda/, you state:

“What is CBDa and what is CBGa?

CBGa and CBDa have become the subject of a recent study on how cannabinoids 

interact with Covid-19. The researchers found that two cannabinoid acids commonly 

found in hemp, cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, and cannabidiolic acid, also known as 

CBDA, can bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid19. By binding to the spike protein, the compounds can prevent the virus from 

entering cells and causing infection, potentially offering new avenues to prevent and 

treat the disease....

Our Immune Support Tincture is the first product of its kind. Extracted from 

Colorado-grown hemp, this Tincture is rich in CBGa, CBDa, and CBD. Most 

tinctures on the market will only have trace amounts of CBGa and CBDa as heat 

from the manufacturing process converts these molecules to CBG and CBD. With a 

proprietary method for processing these delicate cannabinoids and an innovative way 

to formulate them into a tincture without converting them, Extract Labs is changing 

the game. The final result of our hard work – a tincture that is rich in CBGa, CBDa, 

and CBD. Extract Labs is proud to be the first to bring a cannabinoid blend of this 

caliber to market.”

• On your website at https://www.extractlabs.com/cbd-industry/cbd-for-coronavirus/, 

you state:

“CBD for Coronavirus?

As we continue to see outbreaks of the novel coronavirus surging, many are waiting 

and hoping for treatments to be developed that might treat, cure or prevent the 

potentially deadly disease. In a surprising turn of events, cannabis is on the list of 

potential treatments.
Craig Henderson 

Extract Labs, Inc.

April 4, 2022

Page 3

While researchers are exploring many different possibilities in combating COVID19, some researchers are looking into whether cannabis or cannabis derived CBD 

might offer benefits for those suffering from severe forms of this infection....

WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS

Now new evidence is adding support to the theory that cannabis derived CBD may 

help those suffering from the severe lung inflammation that occurs in more serious 

cases of COVID-19. The study from researchers at Augusta University in Georgia 

suggests that CBD may positively impact ARDS or acute respiratory distress 

syndrome – a dangerous symptom in COVID-19 caused by an overactive 

inflammatory response. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘cytokine storm’....

But CBD may be able to help treat this dangerous symptom of COVID-19. The 

researchers suggest CBD may be able to help by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine 

production, fighting off the storm. By reducing specific cytokines such as interleukin 

(IL)-6, IL-1b, and IL-17, we may be able to bring down the inflammation and thus 

end the respiratory distress and damage. And the results of these researchers’ 

experiments supported this theory....

Researchers on the study say that CBD could play an immunotherapeutic role in 

treating severe respiratory viral infections like COVID-19, based on the present 

findings.

‘The current data support the notion that the anti-inflammatory function of CBD may 

reduce cytokine storm and mitigate the effects of exaggerated inflammation’ they 

explain. They add that ‘considering all potential regulatory effects of CBD as well as 

the vast distribution of endocannabinoid system in the body, it is plausible that CBD 

may be used as a therapeutic candidate in the treatment of various inflammatory 

conditions including COVID-19 and other virus-induced ARDS.’...

While we may have to wait for more research before this is being used as an active 

treatment for COVID-19, this study gives us good reason to hope that CBD might 

eventually be harnessed to help fight ARDS. It also adds to the chorus of researchers 

and cannabis advocates suggesting that we look further into cannabis and its potential 

to fight this deadly disease.”

• In a January 25, 2022 Facebook post, you state:

“Our Founder & CEO, Craig Henderson, was interviewed by Good Day Chicago this 

morning to talk about the exciting new research published by OSU. Watch as Craig 

talks about what CBGa and CBDa can do in the battle against Covid!

https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1027126.”
Craig Henderson 

Extract Labs, Inc.

April 4, 2022

Page 4

This post includes a link to a video on the Fox32 Chicago website. In the video, a 

reporter states: “There are two scientific papers that published this month that have 

added to a growing body of evidence that a cannabis compound, CBD, may prevent 

and actually fight COVID-19 infections. But how does this actually work? So here to 

explain is Craig Henderson, he is with Extract Labs out of Colorado....” Then Craig 

Henderson states: “Two weeks ago, Oregon State University released a study, they 

did a study on CBDa and CBGa... It’s CBDa, the acid molecule, and CBGa, the acid 

version of CBG, that seems to work as a cell entry inhibitor for viruses. Not only 

does it help prevent viruses from entering the cell, but it also stops replication inside

the body.... We were able to launch our product with 500 milligrams each of CBDa

and CBGa.... It’s a tincture... You put it underneath your tongue for 10 seconds, 

swallow the rest...”

While Mr. Henderson speaks in the video, the chyron displays several different 

captions, including, “CAN CANNIBIS COMPOUNDS PREVENT COVID 

INFECTION?”

Directly underneath the video is the text: “Can cannabis compounds be effective in 

preventing COVID infection? Craig Henderson, CEO of Extract Labs, talks about 

new research that shows a popular non-psychoactive cannabis compound could help 

prevent COVID-19 infections.”

The Fox32 Chicago video described above is also embedded on your website at 

https://www.extractlabs.com/press/good-day-chicago-interview/.

• In January 14, 2022 posts on your Instagram accounts, you state:

“CBGa + CBDa is here! 

The first tincture of its kind - with a 1:1:1:1 ratio of #CBGa, #CBDa, #CBD, and 

CBG. Packed with 500mg of each #cannabinoid, with 2000mg of CO2-extracted 

#AmericanHemp per bottle. We have been overwhelmed with requests for this 

product in light of the recent study suggesting that CBGa and CBDa can help to treat 

and prevent Covid. Luckily, our scientists have been hard at work developing both 

cannabinoids, and our #Tincture was just about ready to go anyways! 

Preorder is open now, with orders shipping on or before January 28th! Click the link 

in our bio to shop now and get your order reserved.”

You published a substantially similar post to your Facebook account on January 14, 

2022, that also invited consumers to “Read more here” and provided a link to 

https://www.extractlabs.com/cbd-guides/what-is-cbga-and-what-is-cbda/, the page on 

your website titled “What is CBDa and what is CBGa?” described above. 
Craig Henderson 

Extract Labs, Inc.

April 4, 2022

Page 5

It is unlawful under the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 41 et seq., to advertise that a product 

can prevent, treat, or cure human disease unless you possess competent and reliable 

scientific evidence substantiating that the claims are true at the time they are made. For 

COVID-19, no such study is currently known to exist for the products identified above. 

Thus, any coronavirus-related prevention or treatment claims regarding such products are

not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. You must immediately cease 

and desist making all such claims.

You are also advised to review all other claims for your products and immediately 

cease and desist claims that are notsupported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.

Violations of the FTC Act may result in legal action seeking a Federal District Court 

injunction. In addition, pursuant to the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act, Section 1401, 

Division FF, of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260, marketers who make 

deceptive claims about the treatment, cure, prevention, or mitigation of COVID-19 are subject to 

a civil penalty of up to $46,517 per violation and may be required to pay refunds to consumers or 

provide other relief pursuant to Section 19(b) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 57b(b).

Within 48 hours, please send a message to Assistant Director Richard Cleland via 

electronic mail at rcleland@ftc.gov certifying that you have ceased making unsubstantiated 

claims for the products identified above. If you have any questions regarding compliance with 

the FTC Act, please contact Mr. Cleland at 202-326-3088.

Very truly yours,

Serena Viswanathan

Associate Director

Division of Advertising Practices

cc: Facebook and Instagram via email to consumerpolicy@fb.com