Via a US Hemp Roundtable alert
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted 50-46 to officially confirm Robert Califf as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please see the official statement below from U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel, Jonathan Miller, regarding the confirmation of Dr. Califf as head of FDA —
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – The U.S. hemp industry congratulates Dr. Califf for his confirmation to the critical position of Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and we look forward to working with him to advance the health and safety of American consumers. We also offer him a recommendation that will assist him in bolstering the FDA’s credibility in the aftermath of the opioid epidemic and the COVD pandemic: directing the agency to finally regulate the growing hemp and CBD marketplace.
It’s been more than three years since the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill, which explicitly legalized hemp and clarified the FDA’s jurisdiction over ingestible and topical hemp products. Meanwhile, since the agency is not ensuring that products sold under the hemp name are in compliance with federal regulations, many products continue to be sold that raise significant quality, safety, intoxication, and other consumer protection concerns. Commissioner Califf could exercise existing authority to apply the same regulations to hemp as it does for all other dietary supplements and food and beverage additives. Doing so would take a small step towards restoring public trust in the agency.
OFFICIAL US HEMP ROUNDTABLE RESPONSE TO APPOINTMENT
U.S. Hemp Roundtable Statement Concerning Confirmation Of Robert Califf As FDA Commissioner
– Jonathan Miller, U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel
