Lawsuits filed against PetSmart over hemp products sold without FDA OK

Two similar federal lawsuits against PetSmart accuse the company of false and deceptive practices for selling hemp products for pets that are unapproved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The lawsuits in federal court in Broward County, Florida, were filed on behalf of two individual customers, but seek class-action status. The lawsuits say the customers bought products that were marketed as intended to treat, mitigate, or prevent disease, as well as provide calming, stress and anxiety relief for dogs.

One customer bought hemp soft chews and the other hempseed oil and krill and cod liver. The attorney representing both customers says in the lawsuit the products failed to measure up “to their expectations as created by the defendant.” The products were bought in April.

PetSmart did not immediately respond to an email asking for comment.

The lawsuits go on to say that because the FDA hasn’t approved the products, they are considered unsafe “and cannot lawfully be sold.”

The lawsuits seek damages to be determined at trial and for PetSmart to stop selling the products.

PetSmart is among a growing number of mainstream retailers carrying CBD products for pets, a booming sector of the CBD industry.

One lawsuit is available here; the other suit can be viewed here.