Hemp-Derived CBD Not Allowed in Food (or Pretty Much Anything Else) in California

CDPH-FDB also made the following distinction between “hemp seed oil” and CBD oil:

Industrial hemp seed oil and hemp-derived CBD oil are two different products. Industrial hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds limited to types of the Cannabis sativa L. plant and may contain trace amounts of CBD (naturally occurring) and other cannabinoids. Food grade Industrial hemp seed oil is available from a variety of approved sources.

However, CBD or CBD oil derived from industrial hemp is NOT approved for human and animal consumption by the FDA as food and therefore cannot be used as a food ingredient, food additive, or dietary supplement.

CDPH-FDB confirmed in is FAQ that “there is no regulatory agency that provides oversight for the production of CBD oil from industrial hemp,” but CDPH does have authority over food and dietary use products generally and, therefore, food products containing CBD oil are within its authority to regulate. The FAQ also adds that “CBD is an unapproved food additive and NOT allowed for use in human and animal foods in California regardless of where the CBD products originate.” So, no out-of-state hemp-CBD loophole.

CDPH-FDB distinguished cannabis edibles sold under MAUCRSA and regulated by CDPH’s Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch from non-cannabis food products sold outside of that regulatory framework. Yet in another blow to hemp-CBD, the Bureau of Cannabis Control will not allow MAUCRSA-licensed retailers to sell stand alone hemp-CBD products even though BCC rules explicitly allow for selling non-cannabis products at licensed retail storefronts.

The FAQ also addresses the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has a complicated relationship with CBD. The FDA states in its own THC/CBD FAQs that it is prohibited to “introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce any food (including any animal food or feed) to which THC or CBD has been added.” The FDA has also sent out cease and desist letters (see here, here, and here) to CBD producers and sellers across the country that were making medical claims about their CBD products in violation of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act . The FDA takes the position that CBD is neither a conventional food nor a supplement exempt from drug testing. Recently though the FDA approved Epidiolex, the cannabis-based drug used to treat severe forms of epilepsy. This approval does not mean the FDA now allows for all CBD products or that it will now allow businesses to make medical claims about CBD for products that have not been approved as drugs under the Federal Food Drug & Cosmetic Act –in other words, anything containing CBD that is not Epidiolex.

Essentially, California is letting the FDA dictate what it will do with hemp CBD. Though many other states allow hemp CBD for human consumption pursuant to Federal Farm Bill programs, California is following nearly lock-step with big brother on this one. How exactly CDPH-FDB plans to enforce its FAQ is not clear given that hemp CBD products are already rampant in California.

Our CBD lawyers will continue monitoring this evolving situation as hemp CBD makers and sellers struggle to navigate and comply.