CBD Food and Drinks are Becoming Popular, But the FDA isn’t Biting
HealthlineSep 28, 2022
In a significant shift, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is examining whether legal cannabidiol (CBD) is safe to add to foods and dietary supplements.
According to agency officials, the FDA is looking to answer questions about the science, safety, and quality of products containing cannabis and dozens of cannabinoid chemicals, particularly CBD.
Although several US states have passed laws to legalize CBD, products containing the non-psychoactive cannabis compound are technically illegal at the federal level. Federal regulations should complement, rather than contradict, state rules. Rather than outright denying safe CBD-infused products from coming to market, the FDA must take action and establish a clear and uniform set of standards for companies to adhere to.
The FDA’s current hardline position against foods and beverages containing CBD is understandable given that available scientific data shows that high doses of CBD can damage the liver, reduce sperm quality, and adversely interact with other medications. Until the agency understands the implications of long-term consumption of CBD in foods, it must refrain from concluding that CBD-infused food and dietary supplements can be considered safe.
There's a 60% chance that cannabis will be removed from Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.