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What\u2019s Next at the FDA? The future of CBD.<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Scott Gottlieb\u2019s announcement<\/a> of his departure from the FDA on March 5, seemed to catch the industry by surprise. None more so then the nascent CBD industry.<\/p>\n With President Trump\u2019s December, 2018, approval of the Farm Bill and Hemp Act legalizing hemp farming, the sale of hemp derived CBD and the removal of hemp from the controlled substance list the stage seemed set for the launch of what the Brightfield Group<\/a> suggests will become a $22 billion industry within five years. The notable caveat \u2013 FDA Commissioner Gottlieb\u2019s concurrent announcement that the new law did not change the FDA\u2019s role in regulating cannabis or cannabis derived compounds. Gottlieb stated \u201cCongress explicitly preserved the agency\u2019s current authority to regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and section 351 of the Public Health Service Act.\u201d<\/p>\n This statement served to cast confusion across the world of CBD. The CBD industry is generally begging for regulation so that it can move forward in addressing consumer demand for innovative and cost-effective approaches to basic health issues. Goettlieb promised to accelerate the FDA\u2019s consideration of CBD in finding regulatory pathways to support the industry. Several states have publicly deferred to the FDA to determine the safety and labeling requirements associated with CBD products. The FDA is also under enormous pressure from Congress. A February 15, 2019 bipartisan letter signed by 12 House members wrote \u201cthat a series of recent actions by state and local officials in\u00a0New York<\/a>\u00a0City,\u00a0Maine<\/a>, and\u00a0Ohio<\/a>\u00a0to crack down on the sale of\u00a0CBD<\/a>\u00a0foods and beverages have \u201cspurred a tremendous amount of confusion among product manufacturers, hemp farmers, and consumers of these products.\u201d These House members \u201care calling on FDA to swiftly provide guidance on lawful pathways for food products with CBD.\u201d<\/p>\n The implications and opportunities of CBD and hemp are far-reaching. On the production front, a promising and profitable new cash crop for our nation\u2019s farmers. On the consumer front, a potential innovation for consumers looking for alternatives to traditional clinical solutions for general health issues from skin care to aches and pains and even a desperate need for an alternative to pain managing\/addictive opioids.<\/p>\n The need for action is now \u2013 to protect consumers and the industry. A challenge for the FDA will be remaining neutral and truly evaluating the most effective safeguards for the consumer. The traditional pharmaceutical industry is not an advocate of a possible alternative to pharmacological products that can be grown and harvested on farms across the country. A great deal of clinical research is required before any clinical claims can be made, but the indications from 3000+ years of hemp production support the potential for hemp derived CBD to benefit consumers.<\/p>\n This is the challenge facing the next FDA commissioner \u2013 let\u2019s hope he or she hits the ground running, maintains independence and keeps the consumer as the focus in defining CBD regulations.<\/p>\n About Cannovia<\/strong><\/p>\n Cannovia is a branding and product company specializing in commercializing federally-legalized cannabis products like CBD. The objective of Cannovia is to capitalize on the CBD opportunity, but to do so in a consumer-friendly manner. Cannovia will: ensure quality and consistency of CBD ingredients by sourcing through Cannovia Farms; create high-quality brands that are reliable and trusted; and incorporate transparent, educational information in all branding and communication strategies.<\/p>\n