The federal government has been reflecting on rules and regulations for CBD products for years, and recently the World Health Organization released a report on CBD that found it to be safe and with no potential for abuse. Despite this, the FDA has cracked down on CBD products due to mislabeling or making claims about health benefits without research backing. This has caused a ban on CBD products in some states, leaving consumers wondering what this means for them. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant.
It is a non-intoxicating substance that has been found to have many health benefits, such as treating epilepsy and calming nerves. It is also being used in food and beverages, although this is still illegal at the federal level. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act prohibits adding even approved drugs to food for humans or animals in interstate commerce. The FDA's ban on CBD products is primarily due to the fact that it is classified as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it has no medical use and a high risk of abuse.
However, evidence that CBD should be deprogrammed has been accumulating, and recently Epidiolex, GW Pharmaceuticals' CBD-based epilepsy drug, received FDA approval. The other aggravating factor is that since Delta-8 THC products first appeared about two years ago, the market is flooded with companies that offer the product often without age restrictions. This has caused a ban on CBD products in some states, such as Maine, which could drive consumers to buy unregulated CBD products from gas stations and other retailers. Before adding CBD to your routine, it might help to go back to school for a few science lessons that explain how cannabis is grown, how the compound is harvested, and the ways in which it could benefit and harm your health.
Consumers should also be aware of the risks associated with buying unregulated CBD products from gas stations or other retailers.
