Breaking news.

Washington, DC–The Natural Products Association (NPA) announced earlier this week that it was seeking help from Congress to encourage the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a safe use level for dietary supplement and conventional food CBD products. NPA reported that Congress and NPA were working together on an amendment to ensure CBD is regulated by the FDA. The latest development: The House approved the amendment, which was filed by Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09). The amendment, NPA said, was to “modify the House Agriculture appropriations bill to include critical funds that would enable FDA to undertake the appropriate processes and set a safe level of CBD for consumers to use each day.”

In a release announcing that the amendment had passed the House, NPA said the amendment would appropriate critical and necessary funds to perform a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE), explaining, “This process would follow the same steps that the FDA has a history of using in exercising enforcement discretion on natural products that contain levels of an approved drug ingredient with the most famous instance being Red Yeast Rice.”

Dr. Daniel Fabricant, NPA President and CEO, said in the announcement, “We are proud to work with Congressman McNerney to pass this critical amendment that will provide consumers with the clarity and assurance that CBD products are safe. We look forward to working with members of both the House and the Senate to ensure to pass this important legislation for American consumers.”

Marijuana Moment reported that the amendment was approved as part of an en bloc voice vote combining other measures and did not receive debate on the floor.

Explaining the reasoning for the amendment, Congressman McNerney said, according to NPA, “Since the passage of the 2018 Farm Act–which eliminated hemp from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act–we’ve seen a significant increase in the production and sales of CBD products. With more and more CBD appearing on supermarket shelves across the country, it’s time for American consumers to have accurate information on CBD and for producers to be properly regulated to make the marketplace safe and reliable.”

Dr. Fabricant stressed that companies making and selling CBD products need regulatory clarity and consumers deserve assurance that products meet federal safety standards. NPA, which worked with Congressman McNerney, “will continue to work with members of both the House and the Senate to ensure that the American consumer can once again have confidence in the products that are on the shelves stores throughout the country.”

By Whole Foods Magazine staff, Whole Foods Magazine online, June 20, 2019.