With Statistics Canada reporting 578,000 new cannabis users in the last six months in its National Cannabis Survey, findings in a U.S. study are troublesome for those who buy CBD products online.

According to Statistics Canada, 28% of users claim they only purchase cannabis products from  government-sanctioned retailers. That means 72% of the more than 5 million Canadians, age 15 and up, who reported recently using marijuana are looking to illegal sources — online dispensaries, unlicensed dispensaries and dealers — for cannabis products.

That’s disconcerting given a recent U.S. study by LegitScript that examined products from 300 online CBD merchants and found 98% were non-compliant with at least one regulation, Bloomberg reports.

One CBD product tested contained 18.5 times the amount of allowable lead.

John Horton, LegitScript founder and CEO, told Bloomberg the product “had so much lead in it that it’s roughly on par with Flint, Michigan drinking water.”

Other concerns have been raised around toxic or contaminated CBD imported from China.

Straight CBD products do not contain the THC required to get a user high. However, many people consume CBD oil and other products for help with health issues.

The Ontario Cannabis Store warns on its website about “unknown, undesirable ingredients” in illegal CBD as part of its pitch to encourage pot users to buy from government-sanctioned sources.

“Consumers have shown a strong demand for legal CBD-dominant cannabis products,” said Amanda Winton, of the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS). Since legalization “CBD” and “CBD Oils” have been the most commonly searched terms on OCS.ca.

Meanwhile, many of the issues that have frustrated cannabis consumers when they try to purchase from licensed retailers — such as supply — have improved since cannabis was legalized on Oct. 17, 2018, the agency suggests.

The OCS also noted products sold by licensed retailers have been tested rigorously and the label accurately reflects the content of the product.

Testing regulations dictate “regular inspections of production facilities, growing conditions and product storage,” the OCS website stated.

Health Canada inspectors also visit licensed retailers to ensure adherence to the Cannabis Act regulations — they collect product samples, soil, fertilizer, carrier oils, and then report their findings quarterly for each licensed retailer online

Products purchased from licensed retailers receive the final stamp of approval in the form of a certificate of analysis which also makes it traceable in the event of an issue.

The OCS website states CBD is “said to have beneficial effects for a wide range of issues,” and that “more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD.”

New users, especially seniors, may turn to cannabis for the supposed health benefits, making it particularly important that the products meet safety standards, the OCS said.