--- title: Calif. startup is selling injectable cannabis. The FDA isn't happy. description: California startup Pico IV faces FDA scrutiny over its injectable CBD product, raising concerns about public health and legal compliance. Discover the latest developments in this cannabis controversy. image: https://420intel.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20features%20a%20sleek%2c%20modern%20medical%20office%20with%20a%20focus%20on%20wellness%20and%20alternative%20therapies.jpeg --- [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) ### Press ESC to close [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) # Calif. startup is selling injectable cannabis. The FDA isn't happy. - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - [Medical Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - 14 March 2025 The Food and Drug Administration warned a California cannabis company on Monday that its injectable hemp CBD could be posing “serious harm” to public health, telling the company that its product is violating federal law. Pico IV sells a purified version of CBD, a non-intoxicating compound produced by cannabis, that is designed to be injected into the bloodstream through an intravenous infusion. The Sacramento company has testimonials on its website that say the CBD IV therapy can help treat chronic pain, Crohn’s disease and arthritis. The FDA, however, warned Pico IV in a Monday letter that it is breaking the law by marketing CBD as a “dietary supplement,” even though it is explicitly designed to not be ingested and instead be injected. The agency also said the product is “especially concerning” because injectable drugs “can pose risks of serious harm to users.” The FDA said injecting anything directly into a person’s bloodstream can “lead to serious and life-threatening conditions.” Pico IV CEO Joe Young said in an emailed statement to SFGATE that “public safety is our top priority” and that the company’s product undergoes a process “designed to ensure sterility and safety.” “We are confident in the safety profile of our product and are working diligently to provide the FDA with the necessary information to resolve their concerns,” Young’s statement said. Pico IV’s website states that it offers the world’s first injectable CBD product. The product is produced from American-grown hemp plants, a legal category for some cannabis plants, and is “completely sterile and safe for intravenous use.” It is not available for regular retail sale; only “physicians, providers, and IV therapy clinics” can purchase vials of the injectable CBD, according to the company’s website. Toxicologists have long been concerned about cannabis products because they do not face rigorous federal safety standards. Cannabis products are also at a higher risk of being contaminated with heavy metals and pesticides. Pico IV says on its website that all of its products are tested by third-party labs for purity.   [by SFGATE](https://www.sfgate.com/cannabis/article/california-injectable-cbd-gets-fda-warning-20219801.php) ![](https://cdn-channels-pixel.ex.co/events/0012000001fxZm9AAE?integrationType=DEFAULT&template=design%2Farticle%2Fplatypus_two_column.tpl)         [Medical Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/medical-cannabis-news) ![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=200&height=200&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) #### [Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) At 420 Intel, we cover cannabis legalization news throughout the world, offer reliable information for cannabis business owners, detail technological advances that impact the marijuana industry, cover marijuana rallies from across the globe, and everything in between. - - - [Cannabis Politics](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-politics) [![Oregon has spent $46 million fighting black market cannabis. Officials can't tell if it’s working](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vast%20sprawling%20cannabis%20cultivation%20site%20in%20Oregon%20where%20rows%20of%20vibrant%20green%20plants%20stretch%20under%20the%20bright%20sun%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20group%20of%20weary%20workers%20wearing%20worn%20clothing%20and%20sun%20hats%20tend%20to%20the%20plants%20their%20faces%20showin-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vast%20sprawling%20cannabis%20cultivation%20site%20in%20Oregon%20where%20rows%20of%20vibrant%20green%20plants%20stretch%20under%20the%20bright%20sun%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20group%20of%20weary%20workers%20wearing%20worn%20clothing%20and%20sun%20hats%20tend%20to%20the%20plants%20their%20faces%20showin-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/oregon-has-spent-46-million-fighting-black-market-cannabis.-officials-cant-tell-if-its-working) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 3 April 2025 #### [Oregon has spent $46 million fighting black market cannabis. Officials can't tell if it’s working](https://420intel.com/blog/oregon-has-spent-46-million-fighting-black-market-cannabis.-officials-cant-tell-if-its-working) The tales of illicit cannabis operations were coming from all corners of Oregon, and by 2018 — four... [Marijuana legalization](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/marijuana-legalization) [![Oregon's THC Levels: The Great Inflation!](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20bustling%20cannabis%20lab%20filled%20with%20various%20testing%20equipment%20and%20employees%20in%20lab%20coats%20diligently%20working%20Bright%20fluorescent%20lights%20illuminate%20the%20room%20casting%20a%20sterile%20glow%20on%20the%20surfaces%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20technician%20carefull-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20depicts%20a%20bustling%20cannabis%20lab%20filled%20with%20various%20testing%20equipment%20and%20employees%20in%20lab%20coats%20diligently%20working%20Bright%20fluorescent%20lights%20illuminate%20the%20room%20casting%20a%20sterile%20glow%20on%20the%20surfaces%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20technician%20carefull-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/oregons-thc-levels-the-great-inflation) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 25 July 2025 #### [Oregon's THC Levels: The Great Inflation!](https://420intel.com/blog/oregons-thc-levels-the-great-inflation) The Cannabis Lab Testing Crisis: Oregon’s Inflated THC Scores & Growing Regulatory Challenges [Cannabis Business News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-business-news) [![Gaming, cannabis industry show interest in collaboration at UNLV panel](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20bustling%20Las%20Vegas%20Strip%20at%20dusk%20illuminated%20by%20vibrant%20neon%20lights%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20diverse%20crowd%20of%20tourists%20strolls%20along%20the%20sidewalk%20some%20holding%20shopping%20bags%20and%20others%20taking%20selfies%20with%20iconic%20landmarks%20like%20the%20Bella-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20depicts%20a%20bustling%20Las%20Vegas%20Strip%20at%20dusk%20illuminated%20by%20vibrant%20neon%20lights%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20diverse%20crowd%20of%20tourists%20strolls%20along%20the%20sidewalk%20some%20holding%20shopping%20bags%20and%20others%20taking%20selfies%20with%20iconic%20landmarks%20like%20the%20Bella-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/gaming-cannabis-industry-show-interest-in-collaboration-at-unlv-panel) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 23 May 2025 #### [Gaming, cannabis industry show interest in collaboration at UNLV panel](https://420intel.com/blog/gaming-cannabis-industry-show-interest-in-collaboration-at-unlv-panel) Cannabis-friendly state legislation involving the Resort Corridor may offer a crucial opportunity... - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) Back to Top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Buzz", "url" : "https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-14T12:45:07.281Z", "datePublished" : "2025-03-14T10:40:53.000Z", "headline" : "Calif. startup is selling injectable cannabis. The FDA isn't happy.", "image" : [ "https://420intel.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20features%20a%20sleek%2c%20modern%20medical%20office%20with%20a%20focus%20on%20wellness%20and%20alternative%20therapies.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://420intel.com/blog/calif.-startup-is-selling-injectable-cannabis.-the-fda-isnt-happy", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://420intel.com/hubfs/Asset%2016.png" }, "name" : "420 Intel" } } ```