Hemp-derived CBD Industry to Congress and FDA: “Regulate CBD as Dietary Supplements Now”

This article originally appeared in Presence Marketing’s July 2021 Industry Newsletter

By Steven Hoffman

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR) at a press conference on June 18th in Denver called on members of Congress in Colorado and in states across the country to support national legislation that would call on the FDA to regulate CBD like any other dietary supplement. 

With approximately 100 people in attendance in person and online via Zoom at its spring 2021 membership meeting held at the Denver History Museum, USHR underscored its lobbying efforts by announcing the launch of Regulate CBD Now, an online campaign to encourage industry members and citizens to contact their representatives about important legislation impacting consumer access to hemp and CBD products in the U.S. 

According to USHR General Counsel Jonathan Miller, the hemp industry is focused on two bills that Congress is currently considering – H.R. 841 in the U.S. House of Representatives, and S. 1698 in the U.S. Senate – that would call on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement or as a food additive. 

“To have CBD regulated like dietary supplements would be a game changer for the hemp-derived CBD industry,” Miller told Let’s Talk Hemp. Miller noted that in addition to allowing CBD to be regulated like dietary supplements, the Senate bill also calls for CBD to be permitted as an ingredient in food and beverage products. 

According to a statement by USHR, while the FDA has recognized the significant public interest in CBD, the agency has not yet established a legal pathway for its sale. 

About the Bills: 
H.R. 841 – Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2021
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), H.R. 841 allows the use of hemp, cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp, or any other ingredient derived from hemp in a dietary supplement, provided that the supplement meets other applicable requirements. Currently, FDA's position is that CBD products may not be sold as dietary supplements. (Source: congress.gov.) 

S. 1698 – Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act
Introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), S. 1698 would allow hemp-derived cannabidiol and hemp-derived cannabidiol containing substances in dietary supplements and food and beverage products. (Source: congress.gov). 

In addition to USHR, the Regulate CBD Now campaign is supported by organizations including the Alliance for Natural Health, American Herbal Products Association, Citizens for Health, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Friends of Hemp, Hemp Alliance of Tennessee, Hemp Industries Association, Midwest Hemp Council, National Grocers Association, Texas Hemp Coalition, United Natural Products Alliance, U.S. Hemp Authority, U.S. Hemp Building Association, Vote Hemp, We Are for Better Alternatives (WAFBA), and the Wisconsin Hemp Alliance. 

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is a national advocacy organization comprising a coalition of dozens of leading companies and organizations committed to safe hemp and CBD products. USHR works in partnership with national, regional, and state organizations, and helps lead the way forward for hemp and CBD products through education and action. For more information, visit www.regulateCBDnow.com and www.hempsupporter.com.