Bipartisan Bills To Regulated Hemp-Derived CBD Products Reintroduced In U.S. House

U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R), with lead Democratic co-sponsor, Rep. Angie Craig re-introduced two bills in the U.S. House that would require the Food and Drug Administration to regulate hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).

There is no doubt that CBD regulations would be a burning topic among many other issues at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Miami (April 11-12) where top CEOs, investors, leaders, advocates and politicians will share their thoughts, ideas and experiences.

The Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2023, would subject hemp extract products to the regulatory framework for dietary supplements; while the CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act of 2023, would establish regulations for CBD as a food and beverage additive.

The bills’ filings come on the heels of FDA’s January announcemnt it will not regulate CBD as a food and dietary supplement ingredient and that it plans to work with Congress to create "safeguards and oversight to manage and minimize risks related to CBD products."

“The FDA has made it clear that legislative action by Congress is needed to solve its CBD regulatory problem and these two bi-partisan bills re-introduced by Reps. Griffith and Craig serve as the solution,” stated Jonathan Miller, U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel. “The FDA’s inaction over the past four years has had a devastating impact on U.S. hemp growers, and has left thousands of unregulated products on the marketplace, raising health and safety concerns for consumers. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is grateful to Rep. Griffith for his steadfast leadership on behalf of the hemp industry, and we are proud to work closely with him, Rep. Craig and other original co-sponsors on this critical legislation that is integral for hemp farmers, CBD producers and consumers.”

National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) CEO, Aaron Smith, commented: “We commend the sponsors for introducing this important legislative package and urge Congress to pass all three bills without delay. Doing so will bring about the much-needed clarity to small businesses across the country that responsibly produce health and wellness products and would establish a sensible regulatory framework to protect public safety and ensure consumers are well informed.”

Photo: Benzinga edit with images from Wikimedia Commons and Mayur Sharma on Unsplash