US food industry trade group the Consumer Brands Association has launched the ‘Coalition for Smart CBD Regulation’ whilst warning that “CBD bad actors” are exploiting public fears about coronavirus pandemic.
The development comes amid continuing uncertainty about the regulatory status of hemp-based CBD containing products.
The new coalition brings together prominent leading law enforcement organisations, consumer and citizen groups and retail associations.
“The coronavirus gave CBD bad actors yet another opportunity to peddle cure-alls devoid of scientific backing, crystallizing our need for greater research and federal oversight of the marketplace”
“The coronavirus gave CBD bad actors yet another opportunity to peddle cure-alls devoid of scientific backing, crystallizing our need for greater research and federal oversight of the marketplace,” said Consumer Brands President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “We’re proud to have the support of this coalition in protecting consumer safety.”
“The NNOAC is pleased to join the Consumer Brands Association in this robust and diverse coalition to ensure that the CBD products purchased and used by American consumers are safe, effective and grounded in accepted and trusted science and clear regulatory processes,” said Bob Bushman, president, NNOAC. “Safety must be a priority.”
“The public deserves transparency and accountability about CBD products and local law enforcement needs clear guidance,” said Chief Art Acevedo, president, MCCA. “The current regulatory patchwork puts us all at a disadvantage and without additional resources for enforcement and science, public safety and public health will continue to be adversely impacted.”
The Coalition for Smart CBD Regulation is the next step in Consumer Brands’ advocacy campaign “for clear, uniform guidance and federal leadership on CBD”. In January, Consumer Brands formed its CBD Advisory Board and submitted its funding requests for research on the health and safety of CBD and more resources for market surveillance and enforcement to the US House of Representatives. This week, Consumer Brands’ CBD Advisory Board and the NNOAC both sent letters of support for these appropriations requests to congressional leaders.