A new bill introduced this week could have a major impact on the ongoing fight to curb the spread of hemp-derived intoxicating products in the United States.
This comes just days after California Governor Gavin Newsom passed emergency legislation that would effectively ban any level of THC in hemp products sold in the state, dealing a devastating blow to the hemp industry.
The crackdown, which has been replicated in states across the U.S. in recent months, has been seen by the cannabis industry as an overreaction to the lack of regulation surrounding relatively new cannabis-derived products, banning legal cannabis businesses that cover a wide range of industries and potential uses.
The Cannabinoid Safe Regulation Act, introduced yesterday by Senator Ron Wyden, could go some way to solving this increasingly devastating problem.
Simply put, the bill would make it illegal to sell products that contain intoxicating cannabinoids like THC to anyone under the age of 21.
The proposal would introduce a comprehensive framework for regulating cannabis and cannabinoid products through amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The bill would establish clear standards for the manufacturing, labeling, safety, and distribution of cannabinoid products and create a Center for Cannabinoid Products within the FDA that would be responsible for monitoring the safety of these products, setting labeling standards, and regulating their manufacture.
It also defines cannabinoid products, including synthetic cannabinoids, and mandates strict manufacturing and sales standards to protect consumers.
To further protect the public health, the Surgeon General is tasked with developing national standards for testing and safety standards for cannabinoid products. The Act also includes provisions for the recall of unsafe products.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, a U.S. cannabis industry advocacy group, has expressed support for the proposal and urged its members to support it.
“The hemp industry is united behind a simple, common-sense proposition: hemp products should be strictly regulated and not be subject to misguided prohibitions,” said Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the Roundtable.
“The Cannabinoid Safety and Regulatory Act would do just that – hold cannabis products to strict health and safety standards and keep them out of the hands of minors.”
“The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, along with dozens of other hemp organizations, supports this bill and encourages Senator Wyden’s continued leadership and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him as this bill evolves and changes over the coming months.”
