FDA Indicates Need to Better Regulate CBD Products, Including Those For Pets

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has called for a new regulatory pathway for cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant that is widely held to have wellness properties, and said it’s willing to work with Congress to create one.

Given the growing cannabidiol CBD products market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it has convened a high-level internal working group to explore potential regulatory pathways for CBD products.

Noted the FDA statement: “We are announcing that after careful review, the FDA has concluded that a new regulatory pathway for CBD is needed that balances individuals’ desire for access to CBD products with the regulatory oversight needed to manage risks. The agency is prepared to work with Congress on this matter. Today, we are also denying three citizen petitions that had asked the agency to conduct rulemaking to allow the marketing of CBD products as dietary supplements.”

According to the FDA, the use of CBD raises various safety concerns, especially with long-term use. A new regulatory pathway would benefit consumers by providing safeguards and oversight to manage and minimize risks related to CBD products. Some risk management tools could include clear labels, prevention of contaminants, CBD content limits and measures, such as minimum purchase age, to mitigate the risk of ingestion by children. In addition, a new pathway could provide access and oversight for certain CBD-containing products for animals.

The FDA statement noted the following: “Because it is not apparent how CBD products could meet the safety standard for substances in animal food, we also do not intend to pursue rulemaking allowing the use of CBD in animal food. A new regulatory pathway could provide access and oversight for certain CBD-containing products for animals.”

The full FDA stateent can be found here.