FDA chief says they can’t regulate CBD until they get this

CBD has been one of the fastest growing markets in recent years. It’s also confusing and poorly regulated, with hundreds of counterfeits and regulations that vary by state and company.

The head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the agency hasn’t made much progress but is calling on Congress for its lack of support.

Marijuana Moment reports that Dr. Robert M. Califf issued a statement on CBD regulation in a hearing. The statement was prompted after Rep. Dan Newhouse said there was a lot of confusion surrounding CBD, largely due to the FDA’s lack of regulation on the matter.

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“It looks pretty much the same where we are now,” Califf said. “We just know more because we’ve done more research.” He said FDA agents are currently trying to understand the risks of CBD and that the organization needs more room for maneuver from Congress to move forward.

“I don’t think the current authorities that we have on the food or drug side are necessarily giving us what we need to find the right ways forward,” he added. “We have to come up with something new. I am very committed to that.”

The FDA has been very slow to regulate CBD and other cannabis elements, an issue that affects many companies. Although CBD is derived from hemp and is therefore legal, it is not FDA approved. Still, Califf said he and his organization look forward to finding creative ways to address the issue of CBD.

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Last December, the FDA reiterated that CBD should not be added to foods or dietary supplements, claiming that more research is needed. Recently, the organization has been busy debunking claims by CBD companies that the compound can cure diseases, including COVID-19. “Failure to adequately correct violations may result in legal action, including but not limited to seizure and injunction,” the FDA said in a cease and desist letter.