FDA Seeking Public Input On Cannabis

By Benjie Cooper

IG: @nuglifenews

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opened a public comment period and is requesting that interested individuals submit statements concerning the “abuse potential, actual abuse, usefulness, trafficking, and impact scheduling changes on availability for medical use” of cannabis and fifteen other drug substances.

Comments received by the FDA will be considered in the preparation of the United States’ response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) request for information regarding the abuse liability and diversion of the drugs.

WHO is requesting the information ahead of a meeting next month in Geneva where their Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) will convene to review the international classification of cannabis and other substances.

In 2017, WHO prompted the FDA to gather public input on substances that were under review. After the ECDD presented the resulting data at a November meeting in Geneva, WHO determined that cannabidiol (CBD) should not be internationally scheduled.

“CBD has been demonstrated as an effective treatment of epilepsy in several clinical trials,” states one report. “There is also preliminary evidence that CBD may be a useful treatment for a number of other medical conditions. To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

Another public comment period was also conducted in April 2018.

Electronic entries for the current comment period must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 31, and paper submissions must be postmarked on or before the same date. All comments received after the cutoff day will not be considered.

Paper Submissions:
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061
Rockville, MD 20852