Injectable CBD? How A California Startup P*ssed Off the FDA
The cannabis industry is no stranger to pushing boundaries, but a California startup may have just taken things too far—even for a sector built on breaking rules. Enter Pico IV, a Sacramento-based company that decided CBD gummies and tinctures were too pedestrian. Their solution? A straight-to-the-bloodstream injectable CBD drip that promises to “revolutionize” pain relief.
The FDA is not impressed.
In a scathing warning letter sent on March 6, the agency called out Pico IV’s intravenous CBD treatment as “especially concerning”, citing the very obvious risks of injecting cannabis extract directly into human veins. To be fair, the FDA isn’t exactly known for being cannabis-friendly—but this time, they might actually have a point.
Shoot Up Some CBD? What Could Go Wrong?
Pico IV’s website (before the inevitable legal team edits) boasted about the product’s supposed benefits for chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, and arthritis, claiming that an IV drip delivers “instant” relief. The unregulated Wild West of weed wellness has already seen everything from CBD-infused pillows to THC lube, but an injectable version? That’s uncharted territory—and not in a good way.
The FDA’s biggest gripe (aside from the sheer audacity of the idea) is that intravenous drug administration bypasses all of the body’s natural defense mechanisms, opening the door to severe infections, embolisms, and straight-up poisoning. Basically, if your cannabis experience involves a syringe, you’ve officially left the world of “chill” behind.
Cannabis Meets Big Pharma… and Fails
Part of the problem is that CBD injections blur the line between pharma-grade medicine and cannabis wellness bro-science. Under U.S. law, dietary supplements have to be ingested, not injected, which makes Pico IV’s classification legally questionable at best. Add in the unverified medical claims on their website, and the FDA had all the ammo it needed to drop the hammer.
But Joe Young, CEO of Pico IV, is standing his ground. In a statement that oozed startup bravado, he claimed the company was “committed to safety” and insisted their product undergoes rigorous sterility testing. It’s the Silicon Valley move—roll out a barely legal product, fight the regulators, and hope you make enough cash before the lawsuits pile up.
What’s Next for the Wild World of Cannabis Wellness?
The FDA has given Pico IV a deadline to respond, but the bigger question is what this means for the future of extreme cannabis innovation. As the legal weed industry continues to blur the line between medical science and entrepreneurial audacity, it’s clear that the next wave of products won’t just be stronger or tastier—they’ll be riskier.
For now, though, maybe stick to edibles…