Trump Legalizes Hemp In Farm Bill; FDA Looking For “Pathways” To Legalize Cannabinoid Drinks And Snacks By Aaron Kesel for Natural Blaze
All over the U.S., a new trend is taking form — several restaurants are suddenly offering cannabidiol (CBD) infused snacks and drinks; however, according to several state regulators, selling them is illegal. Meanwhile, the battle on the federal level already seems won as the FDA is seeking “pathways” to legalize CBD oil in drinks and snack food.
If you do a simple Presearch for the words “CBD oil smoothie” you are bound to get tons of results. It’s a new trend taking over U.S. restaurants all over from the East Coast to the West Coast, selling CBD-infused drinks or snacks to customers.
CBD oil is derived as a powerful ingredient reaped from the hemp plant. Many may find it shocking to learn that CBD is similar to a compound that our bodies produce naturally, and from birth, called endocannabinoids. Cannabinoids aren’t just found in the cannabis plant, they’re also naturally occurring in other plants in nature, they are just found at a higher potency in cannabis.
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CBD has shown promise as a treatment for conditions like epilepsy and anxiety in early research. Although more research is needed into CBD oil and its effects, much of the studies have been positive.
So what’s the buzz all about with CBD smoothies/drinks?
CBD oil offers the healing power of marijuana without the psychoactive effect of the chemical compound THC. These drinks — which include teas, lemonade, even iced coffee, and many more variants — are designed to alleviate pain, offering relief to those looking to benefit from the medicinal aspects of marijuana. So don’t expect to feel a high sensation, just expect to feel good and relaxed.
In the mere first few months of this year, several regulators have now moved to kill everyone’s business and are cracking down on CBD-infused drinks and snacks.
According to the New York Daily News, the New York City Department of Health is banning cannabidiol because it has not been officially deemed safe for human consumption.
“Restaurants in New York City are not permitted to add anything to food or drink that is not approved as safe to eat. The Health Department takes seriously its responsibility to protect New Yorkers’ health. Until cannabidiol (CBD) is deemed safe as a food additive, the Department is ordering restaurants not to offer products containing CBD,” a health department spokeswoman said.
NYC Health Dept embargoed #CBD-infused food from @fatcatkitchen. UPDATE: The agency just told @fox5ny that CBD is not deemed safe as a food additive & that all #NYC restaurants should stop offering these products. @nycHealthy pic.twitter.com/SIgqcdSMuy
— Dana Arschin (@DanaArschin) February 5, 2019
New York isn’t the only state to ban the sale of CBD-infused products; the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has also said this month that they are illegal, The Charlotte Observer reported.
The department has even stated that it has already begun sending letters to businesses, notifying them that the sale of CBD in food, drinks, and animal food violates state and federal law.
Marijuana is illegal in North Carolina, and so is hemp if it contains too much THC.
“Once you place products into the marketplace, you have a responsibility to comply with all federal and state laws,” the letters say, according to a copy provided by the agriculture department t0 The Charlotte Observer. “Failure to comply could result in legal action being taken against you, including without limitation, embargo, seizure and injunction.”
There are also the states of Ohio and Maine which are cracking down on the CBD oil industry. State health officials in Maine and Ohio recently ordered businesses to remove CBD-infused edibles from stores, Portland Press Herald reported.
In Ohio, despite its medical marijuana program legalized. local and state authorities have also been cracking down on businesses selling CBD-based products, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.
