Charlotte's Web is a brand of CBD products made from hemp, not a medical treatment

Charlotte's Web is a line of CBD products sold by a company of the same name. The products contain cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in hemp plants. Charlotte's Web products come as oils, capsules, gummies, topicals, and pet products. The company does not make claims that these products treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

The products are legal to buy and sell in all 50 states because they contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight — the federal limit for hemp-derived products. THC is the compound in cannabis that produces a high. Charlotte's Web products will not get you high.

The name comes from a real story: a girl named Charlotte Figi whose severe seizure disorder was managed with a high-CBD, low-THC cannabis strain that her family's breeder named after her. That strain inspired the company's founding, but the products themselves are not the same as what Charlotte Figi used medically.

Key Takeaways

  • Charlotte's Web is a brand that sells CBD products in multiple forms, all containing less than 0.3% THC.
  • These products are not approved by the FDA as medicines and cannot legally be marketed as treatments for any disease.
  • You can buy Charlotte's Web products online, in health stores, and in some pharmacies without a prescription.
  • The company third-party tests its products for potency and contaminants, which you can verify through their website.
  • CBD affects everyone differently, and there is no standard dose — the company provides suggested serving sizes but not medical guidance.

What Charlotte's Web products actually contain

Charlotte's Web makes several product lines, each with a different CBD concentration and delivery method. Their most common product is Charlotte's Web Original Formula, an oil tincture that comes in different strengths measured in milligrams of CBD per bottle. A typical bottle might contain 500 mg, 1000 mg, or 2400 mg of CBD.

The company also sells capsules (pre-measured doses you swallow), gummies (chewable pieces), topicals (creams and salves you rub on skin), and products for pets. Each product type has its own absorption rate — oils work faster than gummies, and topicals stay local to where you explore them.

All Charlotte's Web products are made from hemp plants grown in the United States. The company publishes third-party lab reports for each batch, which you can look up on their website using a batch number. These reports show the actual CBD content, THC content, and whether the product contains any mold, pesticides, or heavy metals.

How to buy Charlotte's Web products

You can purchase Charlotte's Web products directly from the company's website, from major online retailers like Amazon, and from brick-and-mortar stores including health food shops, some pharmacies, and wellness retailers. Prices vary by product type and strength, but a 500 mg bottle of oil typically costs between $30 and $50.

You do not need a prescription or a medical card to buy these products. They are treated as dietary supplements or wellness products, not as medicines. Some states have additional rules about where CBD can be sold or how it can be labeled, so availability may vary slightly by location.

When you order online, the company ships to all 50 states. Shipping times and costs depend on your location and the retailer you choose. If you buy from Charlotte's Web's own website, you can set up a subscription for regular deliveries and usually receive a discount.

What the research says about CBD

The FDA has approved one CBD-based medicine called Epidiolex, which is prescribed for certain rare seizure disorders. This approval was based on clinical trials showing effectiveness for that specific condition. Charlotte's Web products are not FDA-approved medicines and have not gone through the same testing process.

Many people report using CBD products for stress, sleep, or general wellness, but large-scale human studies on these uses are still limited. Some small studies suggest CBD may have anti-inflammatory or calming properties, but these findings have not been confirmed in the way that prescription medicines are confirmed. The National Institutes of Health and other research bodies continue to study CBD, but definitive answers about its effects are not yet available.

Because Charlotte's Web products are not medicines, the company cannot legally tell you what they will do for you or suggest you use them to treat any condition. The label will say something like "promotes wellness" or "supports relaxation," but these are not medical claims.

How people typically use Charlotte's Web products

Most people who buy Charlotte's Web products use them as part of a daily routine, similar to a vitamin or supplement. Those using oils usually place a few drops under the tongue and hold it there for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing — this method is called sublingual dosing and allows the CBD to enter the bloodstream faster than swallowing it whole.

Gummies are chewed and swallowed like any candy, so they take longer to work but are easier to dose consistently. Capsules work the same way. Topicals are rubbed directly onto skin over the area where someone wants localized relief.

People often start with a low dose and gradually increase it to find what works for them. There is no official standard dose for CBD — the amount that feels right varies widely from person to person. Charlotte's Web provides suggested serving sizes on each product, but these are starting points, not prescriptions.

Potential side effects and interactions

CBD is generally well-tolerated, but some people report mild side effects including dry mouth, drowsiness, or changes in appetite. These effects are usually temporary and mild. More serious side effects are rare but possible.

CBD can interact with certain medications, particularly those that are broken down by the liver. If you take prescription medications — especially blood thinners, heart medications, or anti-seizure drugs — you should talk to your doctor before using CBD products. Your doctor can tell you whether there is a risk of interaction with your specific medications.

Pregnant and nursing women should avoid CBD products because there is not enough research on how CBD affects pregnancy or breast milk. People with liver disease should also check with a doctor first.

How Charlotte's Web differs from other CBD brands

Charlotte's Web is one of the largest and most established CBD brands in the United States. The company has been operating since 2013 and maintains its own farms and manufacturing facilities. This vertical integration — owning the whole supply chain from seed to bottle — is one reason the company emphasizes quality control.

Many smaller CBD brands source their hemp from third-party growers and manufacturers, which can make quality less consistent. Charlotte's Web publishes third-party lab reports publicly, which is a transparency practice not all brands follow. However, third-party testing is becoming more standard across the industry.

Price-wise, Charlotte's Web products tend to be in the mid-to-premium range. Cheaper CBD products exist, but they may not have the same testing or quality standards. More expensive brands exist as well, sometimes with claims that are not supported by evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Charlotte's Web products show up on a drug test?

Standard drug tests look for THC, not CBD. Because Charlotte's Web products contain less than 0.3% THC, they are unlikely to cause a positive result on a standard workplace drug test. However, if you take very large amounts, trace THC could theoretically accumulate. If you are subject to drug testing, check the third-party lab report for your specific batch to see the exact THC content.

Can I give Charlotte's Web products to my pet?

Charlotte's Web makes a separate pet product line formulated for dogs and cats. These products use the same CBD but in different concentrations and flavors suited to animals. You should not give human products to pets without checking with a veterinarian first, as the dosing may not be appropriate for your animal's size and health.

How long does it take to feel effects from Charlotte's Web?

This depends on the product type and the individual. Sublingual oils can take effect within 15 to 45 minutes. Gummies and capsules take longer — usually 1 to 2 hours — because they have to be digested. Topicals work locally and do not enter the bloodstream the same way. Some people notice effects when ready; others do not notice anything even after consistent use.

Is Charlotte's Web the same product that Charlotte Figi used?

No. Charlotte Figi used a high-CBD cannabis strain bred by a Colorado grower and named after her. The Charlotte's Web company was inspired by her story, but the commercial products sold under the Charlotte's Web brand are hemp-derived CBD products, not the same strain or formulation. Charlotte Figi's medical use involved a different legal and regulatory framework than over-the-counter CBD products.

Can I return Charlotte's Web products if they do not work for me?

Charlotte's Web and most retailers offer a return or refund period, typically 30 days from purchase. Check the return policy on the website where you bought the product. Because these are not medicines, "not working" is not usually grounds for a medical refund, but most companies will accept returns on unopened or lightly used products within the stated window.