The Natural Products Association has warned that a continuing lack of federal guidance on the regulation of CBD products risks “another vaping-style health crisis”.
Earlier this month the US trade body said it welcomed the work being done by some individual states on the issue, singling out the New Jersey Sentate which on December 16 passed a resolution calling on “Congress and the President of the United States to establish a safe daily level of consumption of cannabidiol through legislation.”
New Jersey Senate Resolution No. 163 reads: “Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that food additives or dietary supplements that contain cannabidiol are illegal under federal law. This is despite the fact that over 1,500 products that contain cannabidiol have arrived on the market without a clear approach from the FDA to regulate the products and ensure consumer safety. The lack of clear policy from the FDA and the patchwork regulation of substance by the states create a complex legal framework for companies that sell cannabidiol products for their operations. As a result, interstate commerce for national cannabidiol companies is difficult because banks, insurance companies, and merchant companies are uneasy about providing services to cannabidiol companies at the risk of involvement from the FDA. Therefore, the President and Congress of the United States should establish a safe daily level of consumption of cannabidiol because it would allow individuals to experience the medical benefits of cannabidiol products and generate economic activity by encouraging interstate commerce for cannabidiol companies.”
Commenting on recent developments, NPA president and CEO ad Daniel Fabricant, said: “The states are starting to take action to regulate the growing CBD marketplace but unless we get clear federal guidelines and safety standards consumers are still going to be at risk. If Congress allows these products to go unregulated the public is at risk for another vaping-like health crisis. Inaction from the FDA is bad for public health, bad for the benefits CBD offers and bad for the hemp industry’s growth and job-creating potential.”