Navigating the Legal Landscape: The Legal Status and Regulations of CBD
The global trend toward the legalization and acceptance of cannabis and its derivatives, particularly CBD (Cannabidiol), has prompted a flurry of excitement and interest among consumers, businesses, and investors alike. However, the legal status of CBD is not without its complexities due to the interplay between federal and state CBD laws, delineations between hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD, and various regulatory measures such as CBD testing and labeling requirements.
At the federal level, the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill revolutionized the CBD industry by legalizing hemp – defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC – along with its derivatives, seeds, and all other extracts resulting in legal hemp-derived CBD. Despite this breakthrough, the marijuana-derived CBD remains a Schedule I substance per the Controlled Substances Act and is thus illegal.
While the federal law paves the way for the cultivation of hemp and the commercialization of hemp-derived CBD, it doesn’t create an unrestricted free market. The FDA regulations on CBD underscore the federal agency’s authority to regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act. To date, the FDA has only approved one CBD product, a prescription drug product to treat two rare, severe forms of epilepsy.
The FDA’s rules also carry over to CBD labeling requirements, prohibiting unproven health claims. The marketing guidelines stipulate that companies should not claim that their CBD products have therapeutic benefits unless they have received FDA approval for that purpose. Moreover, CBD products cannot be marketed as dietary supplements nor in food that crosses state lines.
Additionally, with several discrepancies in CBD laws at the state level, businesses should stay current on the state CBD laws which often surpass or contradict the federal law. Some states allow selling CBD-infused foods and dietary supplements, while others don’t. Some states have even created their own CBD testing regulations to ensure the quality and safety of CBD products sold within their jurisdiction.
The legalities surrounding marijuana-derived CBD are even more complex. While medical marijuana might be legal in more states, that does not include all marijuana-derived CBD products. Some states have specific laws for CBD, separate from medical marijuana programs and it typically depends on whether the CBD is derived from hemp or marijuana.
On the manufacturing side, the US government has regulations in place for growing hemp, derived from the 2018 Farm Bill. The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) handles these regulations, which dictate who can grow hemp, under which conditions, and what testing requirements must be met.
Given this complex and ever-shifting legal landscape, anyone involved in the CBD industry – from cultivators and processors to marketers and retailers – must remain vigilant about changes to relevant federal and state CBD laws, FDA regulations on CBD, as well as CBD labeling, testing, and marketing guidelines. Even consumers are encouraged to educate themselves on the evolving regulations to ensure the legality and safety of their CBD products.
Staying abreast of developments and changes to the legal status and regulations surrounding CBD can help stakeholders make informed decisions and safeguard against potential legal challenges, a crucial criterion for the burgeoning CBD industry’s continued growth and success.
Sources:
1. FDA – FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD).
2. National Law Review – State Laws Regulating CBD not as Clear-Cut as Hemp Crop.
3. USDA – Hemp and Farm Programs.
The global trend toward the legalization and acceptance of cannabis and its derivatives, particularly CBD (Cannabidiol), has prompted a flurry of excitement and interest among consumers, businesses, and investors alike. However, the legal status of CBD is not without its complexities due to the interplay between federal and state CBD laws, delineations between hemp-derived CBD…