Bipartisan, bicameral group releases Request for Information on FDA regulation of CBD
The bipartisan and bicameral group of U.S. lawmakers has recently released a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the federal regulation of cannabidiol (CBD). This move comes in response to the increasing demand for clarity and guidance on the legal status of CBD products.
The group consists of Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), ranking member Bill Cassidy (R-La.), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), and ranking member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.). Together, they aim to gather comprehensive information and perspectives from subject matter experts and stakeholders in order to inform future legislation on the regulation of CBD products.
An RFI serves as a research tool that reaches out to experts in related industries, research bodies, and organizations to gather knowledge about the capabilities, best practices, rules, and regulations of a specific service or agency. In this case, the group seeks information on various aspects of CBD regulation, such as the current market for CBD products and the impact of the absence of federal regulation, which has created a market for intoxicating, synthetically-produced compounds.
The lawmakers’ request is a response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement in January 2023, expressing its willingness to collaborate with Congress in developing a legislative approach to regulate CBD products. The group aims to prioritize consumer safety and provide certainty to the U.S. market regarding the regulatory pathway for hemp-derived CBD products.
The group’s RFI also emphasizes the importance of the 2018 farm bill, which removed the term “hemp” from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. The bill expanded the definition to include all parts of the cannabis sativa L. plant, as long as they contain a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. Despite this progress, questions remain about how to establish a legal pathway to market for CBD products since the descheduling of hemp five years ago.
By soliciting input and insights from experts and stakeholders through this Request for Information, the bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers aims to gather a wide range of perspectives to help shape future legislation on the FDA regulation of CBD. The ultimate goal is to provide clarity and guidance to consumers, manufacturers, and policymakers regarding the legal status and safe use of CBD products.
As the lawmakers move forward in their deliberations, collaboration and communication with relevant stakeholders will be crucial in developing a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures consumer safety and promotes responsible CBD usage.
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