WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Oregon Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley on Thursday introduced national standards to protect public health and safety and keep cannabis products out of the hands of people. In order to establish this, the company announced that it has introduced the Cannabinoid Safety Regulation Act (CSRA). children.
The CSRA will establish a nationwide age restriction to prevent people under 21 from purchasing hemp-derived cannabis products. This law requires that all hemp-derived products be tested for safety and manufactured using clean and safe processes. CSRA will demand truth in labeling and require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall or ban cannabis products containing dangerous chemicals and additives.
“Just as the tobacco industry sells cigarettes to young people, we shouldn't slap fun cartoons or gaudy candy wrappers onto cannabis products for adults,” said Wyden, who introduced the bill. said. “To ensure that consumers are not put at risk by untested products of unknown origin, the federal floor for hemp product regulation is non-negotiable. We understand what we are doing and ensure that our hemp products are never sold or promoted to children.”
“Outdated national cannabis safety standards are a persistent threat to public health and have real consequences for families and businesses in Oregon and across the country,” said Merkley, a co-sponsor of the bill. said. “These cannabis products are already widely available, and the FDA has approved them just like any other food, beverage, or dietary supplement to protect the health of all Americans and prevent children from purchasing these products.” We need to establish clear guidelines.”
Since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp production in the United States, unsafe and unregulated cannabis products have flooded the market. Without FDA regulations regarding the manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and age restrictions of hemp-derived products, they could imitate candy or children's snacks, contain dangerous chemicals or additives, or be falsely labeled. The production and sale of hemp products has increased significantly. Despite efforts by some states to implement their own testing, labeling, and processing standards, a federal regulatory floor is essential to address regulatory gaps between states.
CSRA would expressly allow states to prohibit, restrict, or regulate cannabis-derived products beyond the bill's provisions.
CRSA is endorsed by the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, the National Cannabis Industry Association, the National Industrial Hemp Council, and the hemp industry associations of California, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, Virginia, and Texas.
“The hemp industry is united behind a simple, common-sense proposition: Hemp products should be well regulated, not subject to unreasonable prohibition.Senator Wyden’s important bill would do just that. The U.S. Cannabis Roundtable, along with dozens of other cannabis organizations, imposes strong health and safety standards on hemp products while keeping them out of the hands of minors. We stand in support of this bill and cheer on Senator Wyden's continued stewardship and leadership, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him as this bill moves forward and the next bill brings change. We're looking forward to the next few months,” said Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable.
“For too long, federal inaction has fostered an unregulated market for cannabis THC products, putting the public at risk and creating unfair competition for regulated cannabis businesses. We look forward to working with your senators to pass the Cannabinoid Safety Regulation Act, which creates a pathway for manufacturers to provide cannabinoids while ensuring that intoxicating hemp products are tested and properly labeled. We solve this problem by implementing common-sense safeguards to ensure they are not available to minors and are available to adults through a regulated framework.” said Aaron Smith, CEO of the National Cannabis Industry Association.
The text of the bill is here. Click here for the overview document. Click here for the contents of each section.
