Congress urges FDA to get going on CBD in foods, dietary supplements

Congress is joining calls from the hemp industry for federal health regulators to tell CBD manufacturers how to put the product in foods and dietary supplements.

The U.S. House approved a budget amendment Thursday setting aside money for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to set a “safe level for conventional foods and dietary supplements containing cannabidiol (CBD).”

The amendment came from Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney of California, where state health regulators have said CBD can’t go in foods or dietary supplements because of FDA limits.

The result has been widespread market confusion in a state where CBD is broadly available but illegal under the state’s marijuana regulations, which allow marijuana-derived CBD but not hemp-derived CBD.

FDA action on CBD in foods is needed as soon as possible, McNerney spokeswoman Nikki Cannon told Hemp Industry Daily.

“The purpose of the amendment is to elevate the need for the FDA to move with all deliberate speed to set safe consumption levels” for CBD, she said.

The underlying budget bill still must be approved by the House.