Organizations Send Request to Congress to Allow CBD in Pet Food
It is time for Congress to negotiate the next U.S. Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill is the legislation that previously made hemp production lawful as long as it contains no more than 0.3% THC in dry-weight material. Now called industrial hemp and the source of CBD and other cannabinoids, many issues remain unresolved. As a result, 33 non-profit organizations in the hemp industry supply chain have sent Congress a list of seven objectives they would like addressed as the new Farm Bill is negotiated.
The objectives are intended to clear up some ongoing confusion due to a lack of regulatory clarity. They include asking for CBD products to be regulated, like dietary supplements and food additives, and approving more testing laboratories that are USDA and ISO 1705 accredited. Another objective is increasing the allowed THC total in industrial hemp to 1% to reduce the need to destroy hemp crops that exceed the current limit. Also on the list is a request to allow hemp grain to be used for animal feed as long as it does not contain “added cannabinoids and complies with existing feed manufacturing processes, labeling, and product registration.”
The objectives are the result of the work over the past year by the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, the National Industrial Hemp Council, and the Hemp Industries Association. The hemp organizations developed a set of priorities in April 2023 and then requested stakeholder feedback. The seven priorities for the 2024 Farm Bill are the result.
Making the requested changes to the Farm Bill is crucial to the ability of the hemp industry to grow by giving farmers and businesses clarity on growing and using hemp. The industry has remained in a state of turmoil because of the myriad of state laws, some of which contradict federal law on cannabinoids, and the lack of federal agency regulations. Morris Beegle, President of WAFA (We Are For Better Alternatives), said,
“The absence of regulatory clarity from the FDA, along with the pandemic, has resulted in the elimination of thousands of operators and companies, causing the emerging industry to suffer billions of dollars in lost revenues and investment.”
More pet owners are turning to CBD products to address dog and cat health. Including CBD in animal feed in the 2024 Farm Bill will spur the development of more pet-specific CBD products. It will also remove the hesitancy of many veterinarians who want to recommend CBD oil for pets but refuse to do so because of the lack of solid government regulations. The 2024 Farm Bill can increase economic opportunities, expand CBD product options for consumers and eliminate much of the confusion the current law has created.
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