FDA Commissioner to Host Public Meeting Covering CBD Regulation in April

The Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration announced there will be a public meeting in April with the goal of creating efficient regulations for CBD products, Food Navigator reports.

CBD was officially legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill but, as it’s considered a food additive, distribution regulations for the substance has been left to the Food and Drug Administration, which has been slow to take action so far. The announcement by Commissioner Gottlieb is the agency’s first significant move.

“For CBD to be legally marketed as an ingredient in a food or dietary supplement, the law requires that the FDA first would need to issue a regulation to permit such marketing. We’re planning to seek broad public input on this pathway, including information on the science and safety behind CBD. But we know that this process could take time, so we’re also interested in hearing from stakeholders and talking to Congress on possible alternative approaches to make sure that we have an appropriately efficient and predictable regulatory framework for regulating CBD products.” — Dr. Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner, via Food Navigator

Many believe that CBD should not need FDA approval, though statements from Gottlieb show the agency believes otherwise. Due to a precedent set by the approval of Epidiolex, a CBD anti-seizure medication, CBD is now considered to be more than a simple dietary ingredient.

However, Gottlieb has made it clear that he understands the intent of the 2018 farm bill’s hemp legalization clause.

“We heard Congress loud and clear with respect to that legislation,” he said. “I understand Congress wants there to be a pathway for CBD to be available.”

An exact date for the meeting in April has not yet been set.