Pathway for CBD Regulation Proposed
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), along with Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN), introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at creating potential pathways for regulation of cannabidiol (CBD) products.
In the Farm Bill of 2018, Congress removed hemp-derived CBD from the Controlled Substance Act, which legalized the production of hemp and hemp-derived CBD. The Farm Bill still retained the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to establish a regulatory framework for these products. Since the passage of the Farm Bill, CBD sellers have proliferated, but FDA has failed to set a regulatory roadmap for CBD products sold on the market.
“The Food and Drug Administration has dragged its feet in properly regulating CBD and hemp-derived products on the market, creating confusion about its legal uses,” said Griffith. “Americans need better guidance and that is why I have introduced these two pieces of legislation, which will create a pathway for regulation in both the food and dietary supplement spaces.”
“In Minnesota we’ve seen firsthand that our local governments and small businesses need more guidance when it comes to CBD and hemp-derived products,” said Craig. “That’s why I’ve partnered with Rep. Griffith on these bipartisan bills to better regulate CBD products, keep consumers safe and ensure our hemp farmers and businesses have the support they need.”
The Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2023 would make hemp, cannabidiol derived from hemp, and other hemp-derived products lawful for use as a dietary supplement unless otherwise directed by the FDA.
The CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act directs the FDA to regulate CBD as the agency would for other food ingredients, setting requirements for quality and labeling, among other areas.
These bills are endorsed by the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, the American Herbal Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, National Cannabis Industry Association, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, Spartan Sword, Association of Western Hemp Professionals, and Alliance for Natural Health USA.
“The FDA has made it clear that legislative action by Congress is needed to solve its CBD regulatory problem and these two bi-partisan bills re-introduced by Reps. Griffith and Craig serve as the solution. The FDA’s inaction over the past four years has had a devastating impact on U.S. hemp growers and has left thousands of unregulated products on the marketplace, raising health and safety concerns for consumers. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is grateful to Rep. Griffith for his steadfast leadership on behalf of the hemp industry, and we are proud to work closely with him, Rep. Craig and other original co-sponsors on this critical legislation that is integral for hemp farmers, CBD producers and consumers,” said Jonathan Miller, U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel.