Understanding CBD Labels & Dosage: A Regulatory Perspective
In the hemp industry, fewer people have been left with lack of clarity on how to best meet government regulations than the companies that are making some of the most common products consumers are buying. While the industry is waiting with bated breath for official regulation, manufacturers are doing their best to interpret and adhere to existing regulation for supplements since CBD is set to be classified as such.
One large stride made in 2018 was the passing of the Farm Bill, which made hemp products, i.e. cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, legal in all fifty states. It was passed by Congress and thereby applied to each state. Farmers now know a range of things they can do to make legal product, such as keeping pesticides and toxins within certain limits, state regulations which govern how close they can be to other farmer’s fields, and the green light from the USDA on growing hemp crops. Consumers can even fly commercially with products that were once considered “drugs” just a few years ago, completely bypassing TSA scrutiny.
Hemp manufacturers, however, are in a grey zone about how to take the legal products from farmers and then turn them into the highly sought-after CBD products that are pervasive in our marketplace. One such issue is label compliance. The FDA, through the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, has set the federal requirements for not only what must be generally reported on food, dietary supplement, and cosmetic product labels, but also the specific reporting requirements like calories, servings per container, and daily recommended amounts. Since the FDA has not established anything like that for hemp, it can be difficult for manufacturers to establish in-house guidelines.
Companies can take some refuge in state regulations. The CBD industry is now largely regulated by individual state regulations and are those without are mostly self-regulating. Certain states have more robust regulations in this area than others and are therefore good models for the manufacturer’s best shot at compliance. Florida has emerged as a front runner in this arena, as well as Colorado. One feature that has emerged as frontrunner for a common CBD label feature is the inclusion of QR codes. By scanning these, customers can gain information on the batch that their specific product is made from.
On “dosing” or “recommended daily intake” amounts regarding labeling, manufacturers are similarly complying state by state or self-regulating. Typically, the FDA set recommended daily intake for vitamins and minerals. They have not done so in the case of hemp. Notable scientists have given their recommendations on how much is a maximum or minimum amount of hemp CBD a person should take every day based on their research regarding CBD’s effect on the human body, but each person should consult with their physician individually to determine their own daily recommended amount.
As the murky waters become clearer, you can rest assured that Beneficial Blends is at the forefront of regulation and compliance. Check back regularly for more information & regulation news.
*Legal Disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be construed as legal or business advice. No statements in this article regarding hemp have been evaluated by the FDA. Consult with your physician before consuming hemp or beginning a hemp product regimen.