FMI Urges Speedy Federal Regulation of CBD

In response to requests from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for scientific data and research on products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived products, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) spoke out about the confusion surrounding the industry and pressed the need for expeditious additional clarity.

Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI, said that with consumer interest in hemp-derived products, especially CBD, growing so rapidly, the “market is far too large to remain unregulated."

“Food retailers need a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework for the sale and labeling of these products in order to ensure they are marketed in a safe, responsible fashion,” Sarasin said.

FMI called for the FDA to provide guidance on the production, sale, quality and marketing of these goods, adding that such guidance would “also be a tool to help facilitate consistent enforcement and oversight.”

In July, FDA Acting Chief Information Officer Amy Abernethy tweeted that the “FDA is expediting its work to address the many questions about cannabidiol (CBD),” After a public hearing in May and public docket, she said, the FDA is “enthusiastic about research into the therapeutic benefits of CBD products but also [needs] to balance safety.”

The association expressed appreciation for the statement but urged the FDA to “move swiftly” to provide a lawful pathway for the market to not only ensure these products meet quality and labeling standards deemed appropriate but also offer consistent enforcement across all distribution channels.