This is false.
I found this out last night when I was trying to use my CM crystal from another character to my new character.
I was not allowed to use it for my alt because I had bought it using my main.
So the CM's aren't account wide for use/consumption.
They are account wide meaning they show up in your collections, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to use it.
When I did click on it, it offered me to pay Cartel Coins to make it account wide, but I'd have to reconfirm that.