New Bill Introduced in Senate to Federally Regulate CBD
Senator Ron Wyden introduced new legislation called the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act to create a federal-level regulatory framework for cannabinoids derived from hemp plants. This bill emerged from concern that the unregulated CBD market has led to the sale of intoxicating cannabinoid products with unknown health impacts and accessible to youth. It is also in response to two House of Representatives bills that would effectively ban a large segment of the CBD market by prohibiting hemp products containing traceable amounts of THC.
The proposed Act has numerous stipulations.
- Companies selling hemp cannabinoid products must register with the FDA, ensuring a high standard of safety and quality.
- Sale of CBD products is forbidden to anyone under 21.
- States retain their right to establish regulations, including banning certain hemp-based products.
- States must adhere to federal packaging and labeling rules.
- Companies are allowed to transport hemp cannabinoids across state lines regardless of state laws.
- Labels must contain an internationally recognized symbol and statement saying the product contains cannabinoids.
- The FDA would be allowed to create and require nutrition-like product labels.
- Hemp cannabinoids could be included in food items if they meet federal standards per the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
- The USDA, FDA, Justice Department and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau would develop regulations for the sale of drinks containing THC.
Additionally, the Senate bill bans synthetically derived cannabinoids, like delta-8 THC. Current federal law allows up to 0.3 percent THC. The new bill says the total THC content would be considered for evaluating THC content. So, calculating total THC content would mean including delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, THC-A and HHC.
The CBD industry is in turmoil for several reasons. One is the regularly changing state regulations concerning cannabinoids, with California banning the sale of CBD. The second reason is a House of Representatives committee proposal to ban any hemp products containing traceable THC amounts, effectively banning all full spectrum and many broad spectrum CBD products. Third, the federal government still does not regulate CBD products, which has given dishonest retailers room to sell poor-quality and questionable synthetic cannabinoid products.
According to Statista, sales of CBD products are expected to reach more than $2.5 billion in 2024. The introduction of the proposed Senate bill is a significant development that could have a profound stabilizing impact on the CBD industry, addressing the issues creating confusion in the CBD marketplace and protecting honest CBD producers and sellers.
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