Hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) became legal in the United States in December when President Donald Trump signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
But while CBD is legal across the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently permit companies to use it as an additive in food or drinks sold to the public; though that looks to be changing soon.
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that the agency would begin holding public hearings on CBD in April.
“We’re planning to seek broad public input on this pathway, including information on the science and safety behind CBD,” said Gottlieb in prepared remarks for the 2019 NASDA Winter Policy Conference this week. “But we know that this process could take time. So, we’re also interested in hearing from stakeholders and talking to Congress on possible alternative approaches; to make sure that we have an appropriately efficient and predictable regulatory framework for regulating CBD products.”
There has been an increased interest in CBD in recent years, and a regulated nationwide market is expected to become a multi-billion-dollar industry within a few years.
Companies such as Cola-Cola, Pepsi, and Wal-Mart have shown interest in producing or carrying CBD products in Canada though none have proceeded.
In June of 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD formulation produced by GW Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of epileptic conditions.
