Two bills re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to (finally) regulate hemp-derived cannabidiol.
Re-introduced last week, the Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2023 (here), would see hemp extract products fall under the regulatory framework for dietary supplements; the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act . The CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act of 2023 (here), would establish regulations for CBD as a food and beverage additive.
The FDA has been treating CBD as a hot potato for years. It wasn’t long after Rep. James Comer warned he would have the FDA commissioner brought before the U.S. House Oversight Committee for questioning over a lack of action that the FDA said it wasn’t in a position to regulate CBD and needed the assistance of Congress.
These bills, sponsored by Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Angie Craig (D-MN), have been endorsed by a number of organisations, including national hemp advocacy organization U.S. Hemp Roundtable.
“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,” said Jonathan Miller, U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel.
Mr. Miller said FDA inaction has had a “devastating impact” on U.S. hemp growers. Additionally, it has resulted in the availability of thousands of unregulated products, 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,” he said.
Commenting on the bills, Rep. Griffith said:
“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.”
Rep. Craig said the bills would “keep consumers safe and ensure our hemp farmers and businesses have the support they need”.
