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CV Sciences
CV Sciences pivoted from PlusCBD Oil to a clinical-stage pipeline targeting smoking cessation and opioid use disorder under CEO Joseph Dowling.
CV Sciences
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Diego, CV Sciences initially operated through two divisions: a consumer products arm selling PlusCBD Oil and a drug development segment focused on cannabinoid therapeutics. The company gained early traction in the booming CBD retail market following the 2018 Farm Bill, building national distribution in grocery and supplement channels. The company committed to a strategic exit from the CBD space, agreeing to sell its consumer products division for $500,000 in 2024 to focus exclusively on drug development. Its lead asset, CVSI-010, is a synthetic cannabidiol compound targeting smoking cessation and opioid use disorder. The company navigated a critical FDA clinical hold on its smoking cessation program earlier that year, receiving clearance to proceed with a Phase 1 clinical trial. Publicly traded on the OTC Markets under the ticker CVSI, the firm has historically operated with a small team and limited disclosed capital resources. The pivot to a pharmaceutical-only model marks a distinct break from its historical revenue base, repositioning the company as a clinical-stage biotech dependent on regulatory catalysts and partnership outcomes. Structurally, CV Sciences occupies an unusual niche: a former retail brand attempting to convert consumer shelf space into intellectual property validation. Its future hinges on synthetic cannabinoid IP and clinical trial success, a path few CBD-native companies have attempted to follow.
General information
Firm type
Unclassified
Year founded
2010
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Diego
Corporate office
San Diego, CA, United States
Principals
Joseph Dowling
Chief Executive Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Why did CV Sciences sell its CBD consumer products division?
The company executed a strategic pivot in early 2024 to focus entirely on prescription drug development, agreeing to sell its consumer products segment for $500,000. This move reflected a decision to allocate all resources toward clinical trials for its synthetic cannabidiol compound, CVSI-010, rather than competing in the crowded and regulatory-uncertain retail CBD market.
What is the clinical status of CV Sciences' lead drug candidate?
CVSI-010, a synthetic cannabidiol compound, targets smoking cessation and opioid use disorder. The FDA placed a clinical hold on the smoking cessation program in early 2024, but cleared a Phase 1 clinical trial for opioid use disorder. The company's pipeline momentum now rests on executing this trial pathway, with no approved products in its pharmaceutical division yet.
Is CV Sciences a pharmaceutical company or a nutraceutical brand?
Historically, CV Sciences operated both a nutraceutical brand, PlusCBD Oil, and a drug development division. Following the sale of its consumer products division in 2024, the company is now exclusively a clinical-stage pharmaceutical firm. Its current operations center on synthetic cannabinoid therapeutics, not the retail supplements that defined its earlier years.
What is Joseph Dowling's background before joining CV Sciences?
Joseph Dowling became CEO of CV Sciences in 2020 after serving as the company's Chief Financial Officer. His prior experience includes leadership roles in finance and operations at small-cap public companies, with a focus on capital markets and regulatory compliance — a profile suited to navigating the company's pivot from retail to drug development.
Does CV Sciences still sell PlusCBD Oil products?
No. CV Sciences sold its consumer products division, which included the PlusCBD Oil brand, in 2024. The company no longer manufactures, markets, or sells any retail hemp-derived products. All current operations are dedicated to the pharmaceutical development of synthetic cannabinoid compounds.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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