SILVER SPRING, Md. -- Cannabidiol products have surged in popularity despite confusion around their legal status. Now U.S. regulators are exploring ways the hemp ingredient might officially be allowed in food, drinks and dietary supplements.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration held a hearing Friday to collect information about cannabis compounds such as cannabidiol, which is already available in candy, syrups, oils, drinks, skin patches and dog food.
No decisions are expected immediately, but the hearing is seen as an important step toward clarifying regulations around the ingredient.
"There is mass confusion in the marketplace," said Peter Matz of the Food Marketing Institute, one of dozens of speakers who addressed the FDA panel.
Other speakers including academic researchers, businesses and consumer advocates urged the FDA to move quickly, noting that the industry is growing rapidly with little oversight. That is raising concerns about the accuracy of product labels and people not realizing how much they may be consuming through various products.
Before the hearing began, acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless noted critical questions remain about the safety of cannabidiol, such as how much is safe to use daily and the compound's effects on pregnant women and children.
"There are important reasons to generally prohibit putting drugs in the food supply," Sharpless said. And cannabis extracts like cannabidiol "are no exception."
Cannabidiol often comes from a cannabis plant known as hemp, which is defined by the U.S. government as having less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound that causes marijuana's mind-altering effect. Cannabidiol doesn't cause that high, but fans of the products claim benefits, including relief for pain and anxiety.
For now, the FDA has said cannabidiol is not allowed in food, drinks and supplements. But given the agency's limited resources, many do not expect the agency to enforce the position unless products make explicit health claims that could endanger people.
Adding to the confusion, some states, such as Colorado, allow it in food and drinks. In New York City, where officials have warned it's not allowed in food and drinks, restaurants and stores have continued selling it.
During the 10 hours of testimony Thursday, hemp growers, startup businesses, academic researchers and consumer advocates argued about how FDA should regulate the already booming cannabidiol industry. Some demanded strict oversight. Others -- especially companies with millions at stake -- lobbied for looser regulation.
But the common theme among them all: The FDA needs to figure out its rules sooner, rather than later.
Even though FDA's regulations make adding cannabidiol to food and supplements illegal, the cannabidiol industry has exploded in recent years with thousands of unproven products flooding the market. Companies have trumpeted the compound's alleged health benefits -- claiming it can reduce anxiety, pain and insomnia and treat conditions from Parkinson's disease to cancer. But almost all such claims lack rigorous scientific proof, prompting concern among health officials and scientists about safety and deceptive marketing.
Without clearly defined regulations, no one knows for sure how much cannabidiol is in products available on the market, or how safely the chemical compound is being manufactured and incorporated into them.
Information for this article was contributed by Candice Choi of The Associated Press and by William Wan of The Washington Post.
Business on 06/01/2019