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 ...

SAFE Act and US medical cannabis research bill look dead in the water

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

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Two bills in the US House of Representatives, relating to banking and medical cannabis research, appear to be dead, with not enough time to pass the measures in 2020 despite wide support ...

15-day testing rule under review after US hemp farmers express fears

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

North America

United States

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Several US hemp farmers have spoken to CBD-Intel expressing concern over the crop-testing provisions set out in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s interim final rule on hemp production ...

Clarity needed over CBD pet and animal products in the US

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

North America

United States

Companies

Marketing and Retailing

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A lack of clear regulation has not stopped growth for companies looking at the US CBD pet and animal sector, but for the industry to see the niche truly embraced, some solution to the regulatory issues must first...

Swiss Supreme Court rules that hemp flowers should not be taxed under tobacco law

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

Europe

Switzerland

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Switzerland’s federal supreme court has ruled CBD should not be taxed under tobacco law, meaning that hemp flowers will no longer be subject to the 25% tax under the Swiss tobacco law ...

Heilongjiang province hemp proposals could be basis for industrial policies

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

Asia

China

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

At a meeting of the thirteenth People’s Congress of Heilongjiang, representative Ding Fei laid out a comprehensive plan to accelerate the growth of the hemp and CBD industries in the province ...

BfR issues warning over adulterated German e-liquids

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

Europe

Germany

Health

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recently issued a warning on e-liquids that it believed to be containing synthetic cannabinoids, after at least eight teenagers suffered medical complications from an as yet unconfirmed source ...

Polish agricultural subcommittee meet to discuss hemp cultivation

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

Europe

Poland

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Polish lawmakers from the Permanent Subcommittee on Bioeconomy and Innovation in Agriculture at the Sejm – the lower chamber of the country’s parliament – recently hosted government officials, representatives of the Polish and the European hemp industry, and...

Scotland and Ireland take different approach to novel food legislation

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

Europe

Ireland

United Kingdom

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Scotland has not followed the rest of the UK in setting a deadline for novel food applications, while the Republic of Ireland has adopted an even more conservative approach, stating that unauthorised novel foods should not be on...

Owner of Brighton’s Canna Kitchen charged with dealing cannabis

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

Europe

United Kingdom

Companies

Regulatory briefing

The owner of the first cannabinoid restaurant in the UK has been charged with dealing cannabis ...

Italian prohibitionist draft bill unlikely to find approval

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

Europe

Italy

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A proposal to regulate hemp in Italy through increasing restrictions has not got any closer to becoming a law ...

Medical cannabis could now ‘see the light of day’ in the Philippines

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

Asia

Philippines

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The current administration in the Philippines has expressed its openness to introducing cannabis products into the country, but strictly in medicinal form – contrary to what the president indicated last year ...

UK FSA sets a March 2021 deadline for novel food applications

Written by Marija Obradovic || 13th February 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

England

Europe

Northern Ireland

United Kingdom

Wales

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) today set 31st March 2021 as a deadline by when the industry players must submit their novel food application ...

Firm takes a risk with ‘FDA certified’ claim for CBD pain relief cream

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

North America

United States

Companies

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Reports that a CBD pain relief cream has been certified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could be construed as misleading ...

Vital directives still to come as Peru pieces together full regulation

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

Peru

South America

Health

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Peru is moving towards comprehensive legislation on cannabis but has yet to define how to classify CBD, leaving the guidelines unworkable for now ...

Italy lays down limits for THC in edibles, but no mention of CBD

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

Europe

Italy

Food

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

A decree approved by Italy’s Ministry of Health has established firm limits for allowed levels of THC in edibles ...

Italian amendment to regulate ‘light cannabis’ is thrown out once more

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

Europe

Italy

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

The Constitutional Affairs and Budget committees of Italy’s lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, have rejected an amendment to regulate the sale of hemp or “cannabis light” products ...

So this is Brexit – but what does it mean for CBD trade, now or later?

Written by Barnaby Page || 3rd February 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

EU

Europe

United Kingdom

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

As the UK exits Europe and enters its 11-month period of transition, what does Brexit actually mean for cross-Channel relationships, and for the CBD industry in particular? ...

Frustration grows as US federal rules impede research on cannabinoids

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

North America

United States

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

Federal agencies and legislators from both major US parties have all voiced a desire for more research on cannabinoids – but a major obstacle remains the lack of federally approved cannabinoids to study ...

US Congress members bid again to make CBD supplements legal

Written by CBD-Intel || 29th January 2020 || Regulatory briefing |

North America

United States

Policy and Politics

Regulation and Legislation

US federal regulation

Regulatory briefing

Leading members of the US Congress are again pushing for the legalisation of dietary supplements containing hemp-derived CBD, currently banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ...

Georgian parliament to look again at plans to legalise hemp for export

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

Europe

Georgia

Regulation and Legislation

Regulatory briefing

With high government hopes for a new export trade, the parliament of the former Soviet republic of Georgia is to consider again a bill that would legalise the cultivation of hemp and manufacture of hemp products ...