The Food and Drug Administration announced last week there’s not enough data addressing the “various safety concerns” of cannabidiol, or CBD, to regulate the marijuana-derived products as foods or supplements.
The agency argued its regulatory framework for food and supplements provides “limited tools” to mitigate risks associated with CBD products and called on Congress to create new rules for the market.
The agency also denied three petitions from advocacy groups that had asked the agency to allow products that contain the hemp ingredient to to be marketed as dietary supplements.
The FDA’s action comes after repeated calls from lawmakers, advocates and consumer groups for CBD to be allowed in foods and supplements. While health experts applaud the agency’s call for more evidence, frustration grew among CBD market leaders.
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What is CBD?
CBD often comes from a cannabis plant known as hemp, which is defined by the U.S. government as having less than 0.3% THC, the compound that causes marijuana’s mind-altering effect. CBD doesn’t cause that high, but fans of the products claim benefits including relief for pain and anxiety.
The marijuana-derived products have become increasingly popular in lotions, tinctures and foods, while their legal status has remained murky in the U.S.
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CBD is the active ingredient in an approved prescription drug,…
