On Thursday, a first-of its-kind congressional hearing will be held to examine the impact of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) lack of action on developing regulations that would allow the sale of CBD-derived hemp products as food or dietary supplements.
Last week, the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services scheduled the hearing titled “Hemp In The Modern World: Years of Waiting for FDA Action”.
Watch live the hearing of the FDA on CBD in the video below.
Rep. James Comer, R-KY, who chairs the Oversight Committee has harshly criticized FDA for its announcement in January that the agency would not be developing CBD regulation . The FDA stated that it was not able to develop such regulations and that it would need congressional action.
In April, the congressman announced that his panel would launch an investigation into the matter and requested that FDA provide documents relating to its decision to not regulate the cannabinoid. The congressman had expressed intention to deal with the lack of rules even before the agency took that decision.
Jonathan Miller, General Counsel to the U.S. Hemp Roundtable will be one of those who testify at the meeting.
In a written testimony that was published before the meeting, he stated: “Unfortunately the U.S. Hemp Industry has struggled considerably over the last few year,” This turmoil is largely due to FDA decisions.
“The hemp sector may be unique, in that it is asking Congress for regulation. Miller stated that a rational and sensible regulatory framework can provide the needed financial boost to a nation recovering from economic recession. “Regulatory relief in the hemp-derived CBD sector is an economic stimulus package that does not require a dime of taxpayer money.” Miller said.
Three other witnesses will also testify during the hearing. They are Gillian Schauer (executive director of the Cannabis Regulators Association, CANNRA), Rayetta Henderson (senior managing scientist at ToxStrategies LLC), and Richard Badaracco (a former Drug Enforcement Administration special agent, who is now the president-elect for the Kentucky Narcotic Officers Association, and a member of the U.S. Hemp Authority).
In written testimony, Schauer stated that a comprehensive regulatory framework was urgently required to address hemp-derived products. Congress has the opportunity to learn from state approaches to create a comprehensive and thoughtful federal regulatory framework. State regulators are the best at understanding these nuances. The regulation of hemp products is complicated and nuanced.
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and drug policy bills that have been introduced in state legislatures, and Congress. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
Badaracco said, as a former DEA agent and special agent, that in the absence of FDA regulations “the U.S. Hemp Authority” encourages participants to adhere to best practices in preparing products.
Third-party auditors enforce the standards, which are largely based on FDA regulations governing dietary supplements and additives to food and beverages. “However self-regulation does not suffice; federal regulation is needed to ensure all products are held to the highest standards of safety.”
Henderson provided extensive data about the safety and efficacy of cannabidiol. He said that “science-based assessments and a consensus on CBD’s safety are in the interest of the public health and consumer.”
A report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture , released in April, shows that the hemp industry suffered a significant decline in 2022. And stakeholders blame the FDA for its refusal to regulate CBD products.
In March , bipartisan members of Congress re-filed two separate bills which are intended to regulate hemp derivatives such as CBD for use in dietary supplements, food and beverage additives and other products.
Sens. Ron Wyden, Rand Paul (R.KY), Jeff Merkley and Earl Blumenauer, all Democrats from Oregon, filed separate legislation last week to remove the regulatory barriers FDA says prevent it from allowing CBD sale.
The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act , which was introduced in the last Congress, but never advanced, would exempt hemp, hemp-derived CBD, or any substance containing other ingredients derived from hemp from federal restrictions while allowing officials to implement labeling and packing rules.
The FDA announced that it would not be regulating CBD just days after released its finalized guidance which focuses on the development of cannabis-based medicines and details the process as well as unique considerations that scientists should take into account when it comes hemp and marijuana.
The agency has been praised by both parties for its first-ever guidelines on the development of psychedelic drugs. The FDA is also actively working on reviewing the federal scheduling for marijuana, as per a directive given by President Joe Biden in 2013.
House approves veterans medical marijuana access and psychedelics research amendments as part of spending bill
The article Watch live: Congressional Committee Addresses FDA’s Inaction on CBD Regulations first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
