Colorado joins growing list of US states selling CBD in cannabis dispensaries

Written by CBD-Intel || 3rd July 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

Retail

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

Colorado has joined the list of US states selling hemp-derived CBD products through cannabis dispensaries ...

CBD and cannabis legislation back on the Italian political agenda

Written by CBD-Intel || 2nd July 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

Italy

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has revived moves to regulate Italy’s CBD market ...

Finland’s government looks set to take a fresh look at cannabis and CBD

Written by CBD-Intel || 30th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

Finland

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A shift in political outlook under 34-year-old prime minister Sanna Marin could signal a chance to revisit the legal status of CBD in Finland ...

EIHA launches novel food application consortium project

Written by Freddie Dawson || 26th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

EU

Europe

EU regulation

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A new consortium project from the EIHA will put four separate novel food applications in to European and UK authorities after performing the necessary toxicological and safety studies ...

UK FSA provides further guidance for novel food application requirements

Written by Freddie Dawson || 26th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

United Kingdom

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has provided further guidance on when a CBD product would need to have a separate or new novel food authorisation ...

Court ruling piles further restriction and confusion on Italy’s CBD market

Written by CBD-Intel || 25th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

Italy

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A further decision by a top Italian court has in practice increased the restrictions on the hemp/CBD market in the country ...

EC takes time out on novel food to decide if CBD is legally a narcotic

Written by Freddie Dawson || 24th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

EU

Europe

EU regulation

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Progress on novel food authorisations for non-synthetic cannabinoids will be paused until European regulators decide whether extracts from hemp flowers constitute a drug under narcotics laws, CBD-Intel has learned ...

UK agency offers a few hints about its plans for post-EU novel food process

Written by Freddie Dawson || 22nd June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

EU

Europe

United Kingdom

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has updated industry insiders on its preparations for a potentially separate system of novel food approval as its 31st March 2021 deadline draws nearer ...

Researchers on safety and toxicity confident of hitting UK deadlines

Written by Freddie Dawson || 19th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

United Kingdom

Science

Regulatory briefing

An industry association study of the safety and toxicity of cannabinoids is expected to be completed in time to meet submission deadlines to keep CBD-containing food, beverage and supplement products on the UK market ...

Hemp flower now widely available in Spanish tobacconists – despite the law

Written by CBD-Intel || 17th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

Spain

COVID-19

Regulation and Legislation

Retail

Regulatory briefing

Hemp flower has become increasingly available in Spanish tobacconists (estancos) and even on corner newsstands during the COVID-19 crisis – even thought its sale is not permitted under Spanish law ...

Zimbabwe opens up cannabis to 100% investor or foreign ownership

Written by CBD-Intel || 9th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Africa

Zimbabwe

Companies

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Zimbabwe has changed tack, allowing investors to hold 100% of medicinal cannabis licences in order to improve competiveness of the sector both regionally and globally ...

Italian prosecutors get tough, closing down leading CBD firm pending trial

Written by CBD-Intel || 8th June 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

Italy

Companies

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The public prosecutor's office in Parma has suspended all commercial operations of Italy’s leading CBD company, EasyJoint, pending trial on narcotics charges ...

US FDA takes action over unapproved drugs and unproven health claims

Written by Freddie Dawson || 29th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Companies

COVID-19

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

The company behind the world’s first injectable CBD product has issued a voluntary recall, while the US FDA continues to send warning letters over unsubstantiated health claims ...

Texas looks set to get its promised CBD product regulations this summer

Written by CBD-Intel || 27th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

Texas

United States

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

CBD food, supplement and cosmetic products could be sold under a clear legal framework in the US state of Texas as early as July under a proposed set of regulations ...

South Africa ends suspense at the last moment – legalisation is here to stay

Written by Marija Obradovic || 26th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Africa

South Africa

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The regulation of CBD, THC and cannabis has been liberalised in South Africa – at the very moment when a year-long trial period was due to end ...

US FDA notes recall over ‘too much lead’, issues COVID-19 claim warning

Written by Freddie Dawson || 22nd May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Florida

North America

United States

COVID-19

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an announcement of a product recall made voluntarily by a company after tests suggested the CBD oil contained too much lead ...

Firm falls in line after Health Canada warning over COVID-19 claims for CBD

Written by CBD-Intel || 21st May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Canada

Companies

COVID-19

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A Canadian company part-owned by singer Bif Naked has run foul of Canada's national health authority after suggesting its CBD products can help protect users from COVID-19 ...

50 shades of grey: it’s federal vs state law on THC in US bankruptcy cases

Written by CBD-Intel || 20th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Companies

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

CBD companies in the US that deal in THC may not be able to take Chapter 11 bankruptcy – reorganisation as a going concern – leaving those reliant on the business and creditors with few other options ...

Fresh hope or red herring? New THC testing method yet to be put to the test

Written by CBD-Intel || 19th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Farming

Regulation and Legislation

Science

Regulatory briefing

Industry leaders say it’s too soon to tell if a newly approved testing method will help address the instability US hemp farmers face due to strict regulations on crops that test above 0.3% THC ...

EU advocate general says French ban on CBD imports may be illegal

Written by CBD-Intel || 18th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

EU

Europe

France

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The French government’s ban on the importing of CBD products conflicts with European law on free movement of goods, EU advocate general Evgeni Tanchev says, in an opinion that could have EU-wide implications ...

Baltic States look towards legalisation and regulation of cannabis

Written by CBD-Intel || 14th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Estonia

Europe

Latvia

Lithuania

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Local industry lobbyists in the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – are starting to push for further liberalisation of laws regarding the production of cannabis and...

Virginia joins the club of US states allowing CBD as a food ingredient

Written by CBD-Intel || 13th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Virginia

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The US state of Virginia has passed a bill to legalise CBD in foods. It expressly permits hemp extracts as food ingredients, as long as they don't contain more than 0.3% THC ...

No argument – 0.2% THC limit is just fine as it is, Polish ministries agree

Written by CBD-Intel || 11th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

Poland

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Despite reports, Poland’s Ministry of Health is not engaged in a dispute with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development over the country’s limit of 0.2% THC in cultivated hemp ...

US states providing tax relief measures in midst of COVID-19

Written by CBD-Intel || 8th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Alabama

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Iowa

Kentucky

Massachusetts

Michigan

New York

North America

North Carolina

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Tennessee

Texas

United States

Vermont

Washington

COVID-19

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Every state in the US is offering some sort of tax relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and many hemp and CBD companies may be eligible for such relief ...

NORML vents frustration at planned DEA rules on cannabis for US research

Written by CBD-Intel || 7th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

Science

Regulatory briefing

A cannabinoid advocacy organisation has called for better rules on the growing of cannabis for research in the US – but declined to say exactly what it would like to see from regulators ...

Florida debate over allowed hemp seed varieties is kicked into the long grass

Written by CBD-Intel || 6th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Florida

North America

United States

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A debate over what varieties of hemp can be grown in Florida has been shelved for at least this growing season as industry associations push forward with guidance on obtaining a state licence ...

Unheeded FDA warning puts US firm in court over medical claims for CBD

Written by Freddie Dawson || 4th May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Companies

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken further steps in the fight against CBD brands making unsubstantiated medical claims, with one hit with a restraining order and injunction ...

Hemp coalition calls for regulation to be standardised between US states

Written by CBD-Intel || 1st May 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

US regulators should standardise the definition of hemp between states to reduce confusion, red tape and non-compliance for companies trading across state lines, says a coalition of interested groups ...

Legal fight goes on after Brazilian court suspends permit to grow hemp

Written by CBD-Intel || 30th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Brazil

South America

Companies

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Further legal action is expected from the only company so far granted official permission to grow hemp in Brazil after a federal court suspended its authorisation ...

Australia consults on re-scheduling CBD to be sold on pharmacist’s advice

Written by Freddie Dawson || 28th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Australasia

Australia

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Australia has unveiled a consultation on a proposal to classify CBD products as over-the-counter medications, available in pharmacies after consultation with a pharmacist ...

Canada seeks experts to advise on non-prescription cannabis health products

Written by Marija Obradovic || 23rd April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Canada

North America

Health

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A new national committee is to be set up in Canada to study all aspects of non-prescription cannabis health products, including CBD products ...

Government shutdown delays next step towards Mexican legalisation

Written by CBD-Intel || 23rd April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Mexico

North America

COVID-19

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Further advances towards the legalisation of cannabis in Mexico have been delayed by a government shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a new deadline for legislation set by the country’s Supreme Court ...

More CBD companies land in hot water with US FDA over COVID-19 claims

Written by CBD-Intel || 20th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Companies

COVID-19

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Companies that have made claims about CBD’s beneficial effects against COVID-19 are facing swift enforcement action from US regulatory authorities ...

Uzbekistan approves hemp cultivation and manufacture under licence

Written by CBD-Intel || 17th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Asia

Uzbekistan

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The government of Uzbekistan has allowed the turnover and imports of hemp and its related products within its territory, according to recent statements made by the press service of the Uzbek Presidential Administration ...

Clean bill of health: Epidiolex is taken off US schedule of controlled drugs

Written by CBD-Intel || 15th April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has removed Epidiolex, the only CBD drug so far approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), from its list of controlled substances ...

Legal in theory only – huge licence fee holds up Zambia’s cannabis trade

Written by CBD-Intel || 2nd April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Africa

Zambia

Farming

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Four months after Zambia legalised the production and export of cannabis, no one has yet been able to take advantage because of the high cost of licensing fees – and some confusion remains about what is allowed ...

US state governments shut down or shut doors in face of coronavirus

Written by Freddie Dawson || 1st April 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

COVID-19

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Legislative measures are on hold in half the states of the US due to the COVID-19 emergency, with most suspending activity until at least mid-April ...

Interagency spat as USDA blames DEA ‘pushback’ for hemp rule troubles

Written by Freddie Dawson || 26th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Farming

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The head of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has blamed the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for heavily criticised measures in the recently proposed federal hemp production rules ...

FDA needs more data before making CBD rules, Hahn tells US hearing

Written by CBD-Intel || 25th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Science

Regulatory briefing

FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn has told a Congressional subcommittee that more research and data are needed before the FDA is ready to issue a formal policy on CBD products ...

US authorities stamp down on false claims of anti-coronavirus properties

Written by CBD-Intel || 23rd March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

COVID-19

Health

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Bogus claims that products containing CBD may have any beneficial effects in treating or warding off coronavirus risk the wrath of authorities in the US – and could ultimately damage CBD's reputation ...

Divisions over drug policy lead to fresh delay in UN vote on restrictions

Written by CBD-Intel || 16th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

EU

Europe

Mexico

North America

Russia

South America

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

World

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The United Nations’ central drug policy agency has declined to reveal why it again postponed a vote on WHO recommendations to relax restrictions on cannabis and related substances such as CBD and THC ...

US FDA releases CBD enforcement policy update in Congress

Written by CBD-Intel || 13th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released an update on CBD enforcement to members of Congress ...

CBD medicines could be approved in Philippines without need of new law

Written by CBD-Intel || 10th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Asia

Philippines

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Legislative efforts will continue to push for cannabinoid liberalisation in the Philippines – despite recent comments that approval in principle of the epilepsy drug Epidiolex would be sufficient to cover most matters ...

EIHA statement leads to confusion over Germany’s novel food position

Written by CBD-Intel || 6th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

Germany

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

German authorities and a major European hemp association have disagreed on the implications of correspondence regarding the novel status of hemp extracts ...

Law firm leads call for joined-up hemp regulation between US states

Written by CBD-Intel || 5th March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Canada

Colorado

New York

North America

United States

Companies

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A coalition of organisations linked to the US hemp market has released the first part of a series of policy recommendations – while one CBD firm has been referred to the US Federal Trade Commission over extravagant health...

Malawi legalises medical cannabis to salve collapse in tobacco earnings

Written by CBD-Intel || 3rd March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Africa

Malawi

Farming

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A bill legalising hemp and medical cannabis has been passed in Malawi, making it the fifth African country to pass some form of cannabis legalisation ...

US FDA chief Hahn says it would be ‘a fool’s game’ to try to halt CBD spread

Written by Freddie Dawson || 2nd March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

CBD products will not be banned in the US and there is some medicinal value to them being on the market, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Stephen Hahn has said ...

USDA takes step back on enforcement of interim hemp testing rules

Written by CBD-Intel || 2nd March 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to temporarily delay enforcement of two controversial provisions in its interim hemp production rule after receiving a large quantity of critical feedback ...

Irish hemp federation hits out at FSAI over order to recall CBD products

Written by CBD-Intel || 28th February 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Europe

Ireland

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The Hemp Federation of Ireland (HFI) has taken issue with a report from the Food Standards Agency of Ireland (FSAI) and the order to remove a number of specified CBD products from shelves ...

Testing technology playing catch-up to head off US state smokable hemp bans

Written by CBD-Intel || 28th February 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

Technology and Innovation

Vapour/Smokable

Regulatory briefing

Testing in the field could counter a major stated reason for enacting bans on smokable hemp in the US, but a perfect technical solution has not yet been found ...