‘We want MORE’ – US Democrats prepare for House vote on cannabis reform bill

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

North America

United States

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

The US House of Representatives is expected to hold a historic vote this month on a comprehensive cannabis reform bill that supporters embrace for not only decriminalising marijuana but correcting injustices ...

Multiple proposals could spell legalisation of hemp and CBD in Israel

Written by Lenka Hajnovicova || 4th September 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Asia

Israel

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Israel is considering amending the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, which – if successful – will have a major impact on the market with hemp and CBD products ...

Licensing difficulties hold back hemp producers in China’s Yunnan province

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

Asia

China

Companies

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Companies seeking licences to produce hemp in the Chinese province of Yunnan face a tightening of the application process, according to some who have successfully negotiated the concealed hurdles ...

US DEA raises industry’s hackles with its strict interpretation of 0.3% THC limit

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

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

Proposed regulations from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have riled the hemp and CBD sectors, with opinions divided on what the rule would mean if enacted in its current form ...

Worse delays feared for European CBD novel food authorisations

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

EU

Europe

EU regulation

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Do not expect European novel food authorisations before the end of 2022 at the very earliest and do not expect generic authorisations to cover non-applicant products, a new report from CBD-Intel warns ...

Charlotte’s Web denied US trademark on appeal ‘because CBD oil isn’t legal’

Written by CBD-Intel || 26th August 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Companies

Food

Regulation and Legislation

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

Charlotte's Web has been denied a US trademark on appeal – a ruling that has serious implications for any company in the CBD sector selling food, drink or dietary supplement products in the US ...

Switzerland edges towards legal cannabis with trials likely next year

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

Europe

Switzerland

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Vapour/Smokable

Regulatory briefing

Switzerland plans to launch trials next year as part of a move toward legalising cannabis with high levels of THC – but it could be several years before Swiss users can legally light up a joint ...

US FDA provides cannabis researchers guidance on sources, testing and quality

Written by CBD-Intel || 12th August 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Regulation and Legislation

Science

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

Clinical research guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should provide further impetus for cannabis research, which is certain to have an impact on the CBD market ...

British Columbia allows online sales, but struggles with shortages

Written by Marija Obradovic || 7th August 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

Canada

North America

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The provincial government amended Cannabis Licensing Regulation amendment to allow online and telephone sales of cannabis and CBD products under condition that an exchange of purchased product takes place at a point of sale ...

A list of regional Italian proposals for hemp regulation and promotion

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

Europe

Italy

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Italian regions are trying to boost the hemp-supply chain through proposed regional rules, funding projects and developing circular economy strategies to make up for the lack of clarifying action at the national level ...

New Zealand cannabis legislation would also include legalising CBD products

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

Australasia

New Zealand

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

New Zealand will go to the polls in just under two months to decide on a broad cannabis legalisation referendum that would also encompass fully legalising CBD products ...

Draft guidance on CBD enforcement submitted to OMB for review

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

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The FDA’s draft guidance on CBD enforcement policy was submitted for review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the OMB has now scheduled meetings with various hemp/CBD stakeholder groups ...

Swiss authorities return money after hemp flowers tax court ruling

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

Europe

Switzerland

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Switzerland’s customs authorities returned CHF33m (€30.5m) to CBD producers after the federal supreme court ruled there was no legal basis to tax hemp flowers under the country’s tobacco law...

New US testing programme set to address industry criticisms

Written by Freddie Dawson || 27th July 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A new government programme will attempt to address one of the industry’s biggest criticisms – the lack of consistency in laboratory test results ...

Unwelcome but unsurprising: industry reactions to FDA testing

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

North America

United States

Health

Science

Regulatory briefing

The FDA’s recent report that fewer than half of the CBD products tested from US store shelves contain the amount of CBD on the label was unwelcome news ...

FDA promises CBD testing as report shows many labels are inaccurate

Written by CBD-Intel || 24th July 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Science

Regulatory briefing

The US FDA has criticised CBD products for inaccuracies in labelling the amount of CBD present in products and promised further testing for the sector in the near future ...

Think tank urges Poland’s government to raise THC limit for hemp growers

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

EU

Europe

Poland

EU regulation

Farming

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

An influential Polish think tank has released a report calling for a relaxation of Poland’s cannabis regulations ...

Indiana’s smokable hemp ban could be back on after US appeal court ruling

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

Indiana

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has dealt a blow to challengers of Indiana’s smokable hemp ban, ruling that the lower court went too far in restricting the enforcement of Indiana’s ban ...

Who can bring clarity to Italian CBD regulation? Another bid bites the dust

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

Europe

Italy

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Yet another attempt to bring clear regulation to the Italian CBD market has been rejected, apparently for political reasons ...

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 ...