Cannabis

CBD industry faces ‘existential crisis’

09-Nov-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Bethany Gomez, managing director of the Brightfield Group, spoke with NutraIngredients-USA about the difficulties the cannabidiol industry is experiencing when it comes to defining itself.

Hemp Beverage Alliance sets out to help the category reach its potential

27-Sep-2023 By Rachel Arthur

Regulatory confusion and poor availability is hampering the success of hemp beverages in the US. But the consumer demand is clearly there, says the newly formed Hemp Beverage Alliance - which believes that, if these challenges are addressed, the category...

New tox study validates safe upper dose for cbdMD’s Broad Spectrum CBD blend

25-Sep-2023 By Stephen Daniells

cbdMD's proprietary broad spectrum blend is safe when consumed as a dietary supplement in doses up to 160 mg per day in a 70 kg (154 lb), says a new study published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.

Charlotte’s Web-Canopy Growth analysis identifies safe CBD intake levels for supplements

18-Sep-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Upper CBD intake levels ranging from 70 mg to 160 mg per day for dietary supplements are acceptable and do not harm the liver, says a new scientific review commissioned by Canopy Growth Corporation and Charlotte’s Web.

‘The risk we have here is enough to manage’: Athlete turned entrepreneur Floyd Landis discusses how regulatory uncertainty threatens the global CBD industry

15-Sep-2023 By Oliver Morrison

Regulatory bottlenecks are threatening to hinder CBD innovation on both sides of the Atlantic, the former professional road racing cyclist Floyd Landis tells FoodNavigator.

cbdMD CSO: ‘It appears that we’re finally making headway in Congress’

22-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The recent congressional hearing about CBD and subsequent ‘historic’ bicameral Request for Information (RFI) shows that hemp-derived CBD for use in dietary supplements has finally got the attention of Congress, said cbdMD’s CSO.

CBD alliance to benefit from AI technology

29-Jun-2023 By Olivia Haslam

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) and the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis (CMC) have formed a strategic partnership with Chem ID Ltd, a provider of chemical data standardisation, validation, and traceability solutions.

Guest Article

Ex-Health Canada NHP DG: ‘Cannabis is Canada’s New Wild West’

06-Jun-2023 By Adam Gibson, President, True Moderation

When it comes to regulating CBD and cannabis, Canada is an extreme cautionary tale for the US, says Adam Gibson, the former Director General of Health Canada’s Non-prescription and Natural Health Products Directorate.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Inesa Ponomariovaite, Founder, Nesa's Hemp

08-Feb-2023 By Danielle Masterson

She may be a serial entrepreneur, humanitarian, health coach and the founder of a hemp company, but perhaps what makes Inesa Ponomariovaite stand out the most is her incredible story of survival.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Najla Guthrie, President & CEO, KGK Science

25-Jan-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Najla Guthrie, president and CEO, KGK Science Inc. has been hailed as a global leader and sought-after spokesperson in the nutraceutical trade. She is also a lobbyist for the advancement of policy changes in the supplement and cannabis industries.

'Quite frankly, I'm concerned for our entire industry...' FDA cracks down on firms selling CBD-infused foods & beverages in ‘aggressive’ new stance

22-Nov-2022 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has sent out a raft of warning letters to brands selling CBD-infused foods and beverages, adopting an “aggressive position” that one industry source told us made him “concerned for our entire industry.”

NutraCast: How amendments in the 2023 Farm Bill could shape the hemp industry

13-Oct-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Over the course of the next year, lawmakers on the US House and Senate agriculture committees will draft a new federal Farm Bill that will shape a number of programs for the next five years. What does that mean for the hemp industry?

CBD entrepreneur Floyd Landis to share vision in upcoming NutraIngredients-USA webinar

10-Oct-2022 By Hank Schultz

Some CBD entrepreneurs talk a good game when it comes to their companies’ mission statements. Former pro cyclist Floyd Landis has lived his.

SPECIAL REPORT: Hemp-derived CBD… ‘We're operating in a constrained addressable market with a patchwork of state-based regulations’

02-Sep-2022 By Elaine Watson

“I see all these emails going around saying once the [2018] Farm Bill passes, CBD is legal in all 50 states… and that’s just not true,” observed one attorney in December 2018. Four years later, while a lot has changed, the FDA maintains that CBD is not...

AHPA’s updated Hemp Lexicon seeks to shed light on ‘full spectrum’ question

25-Aug-2022 By Hank Schultz

The American Herbal Products Association has released a new guidance document that seeks to bring clarity to hemp nomenclature, in particular what ought to be meant by the terms ‘broad spectrum’ and ‘full spectrum’ extracts.

Provisions of Senate bill could decimate hemp industry, industry group asserts

10-Aug-2022 By Hank Schultz

Legislation currently in the Senate could burden the hemp industry by setting an unrealistically low level of allowable THC, an industry group has said.

NutraCast: The fight to make cannabinoid therapy mainstream

29-Jul-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Through research, education, and grants, Realm of Caring is helping those in need of more information about cannabinoid therapies. The non-profit seeks to facilitate and encourage the mainstream acceptance of plant-powered therapies and serve healthcare...

NutraCast: Turning to CBD for mental health

08-Jul-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Between Covid-19, supply chain issues and inflation, life is taking a serious toll on mental health. But more and more people are looking for ways to address mental health without a prescription.

Majority of CBD products tested in study found to have at least some THC

29-Jun-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new study that sampled dozens of commercially available CBD products found detectable THC levels in 64% of them. Some levels were high enough to approach therapeutic thresholds or to potentially trigger drug test failures.

UK government urged to become world leader in cannabinoid innovation

28-Jun-2022 By Kavitha Sivasubramaniam

The UK could become a world leader in cannabinoid innovation by following 20 key recommendations, according to a just-published report.

FDA revisits safety of CBD for use in dietary supplements, industry not satisfied

23-Jun-2022 By Asia Sherman

Last week’s meeting of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Science Board did little to assuage a frustrated CBD industry that continues to call for regulation of the cannabinoid as a dietary supplement.

NutraCast: Exploring cannabis terpenes for pain management

03-Jun-2022 By Danielle Masterson

As the stigma surrounding cannabinoids fades, hemp-derived supplements are gaining traction as popular applications for pain management. New research from the University of Arizona Health Sciences in the Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center have found...

NutraWomen Wednesday: Paola Fernandez, Founder and CEO of High Hemp

25-May-2022 By Danielle Masterson

While working at her father’s cigar company, Paola Fernandez invented a ‘natural’ alternative to tobacco-based rolling paper. In 2016, High Hemp was born and sells its flagship hemp wraps along with CBD gummies and tinctures. In under 5 years, Fernandez...

FDA slams Delta-8 THC sellers over claims

04-May-2022 By Hank Schultz

FDA came down hard on purveyors of Delta-8 THC and CBD products that were making disease claims on the substances. The Agency also reiterated the reasons it believes Delta-8 is not a suitable ingredient for products marketed as supplements.

Thousands of additional CBD products added to FSA public list

28-Apr-2022 By Liza Laws

Thousands of CBD products have been added to the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) public list this week allowing them to remain on the market.

CBD list chaos continues as FSA extends deadline to allow more companies to seek approval

22-Apr-2022 By Liza Laws

The deadline for companies wanting to submit its CBD products to be approved for sale has been extended by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Lawyer says guidelines for sale of CBD products are "nonsensical" and "discriminatory"

20-Apr-2022 By Liza Laws

Controversy has been sparked over Food Standards Agency (FSA) guidelines over the sale of CBD products which a lawyer says are "discriminatory".

Best companies will prevail as CBD market goes through painful winnowing, CEO says

24-Feb-2022 By Hank Schultz

The hemp/CBD market is going through a reckoning but ultimately will emerge in a stronger position, said the head of one of few publicly traded companies in the sector.

NPA submits citizen’s petition demanding resolution on CBD issue

22-Feb-2022 By Hank Schultz

The Natural Products Association has filed a citizen’s petition calling for FDA to either rule that CBD is a legal dietary ingredient or to make a rule allowing enforcement discretion on the substance.

Hemp compounds block COVID-19, study finds

18-Jan-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Researchers found that a pair of cannabinoid acids bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, preventing a critical step in the process the virus uses to infect people.

CBD/cannabis cosmetics, supplements firm scores important Colombian license

08-Sep-2021 By Hank Schultz

A Canadian CBD cosmetics, supplements and medical cannabis product company has received an important license from the government of Colombia, where its grow operations are located.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Amanda Jones, co-founder of Kikoko

31-Mar-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Before her foray into the botanical wellness industry, Amanda Jones spent two decades traveling the world as a journalist for Vogue Magazine. While it may sound like a luxurious position, Jones' work also put her up close and personal with women...

CBD safety: Large-scale study finds no evidence of liver toxicity from oral CBD products

23-Mar-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Colorado-based ValidCare has announced the preliminary findings from its industry-sponsored, decentralized human safety study of hemp derived CBD products, with the data indicating no liver toxicity.

News in brief

Nutrasource gets Health Canada approval for cannabis research license

09-Feb-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Guelph-based Nutrasource Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Services has received approval for an official Institution-Wide Cannabis Research License, paving the way for human research on cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds.

News in brief

University of Rhode Island rolls out online cannabis studies certificate course for students and industry professionals

19-May-2020 By Stephen Daniells

URI has unveiled a new online Cannabis Studies program aimed at multiple positions in cannabis industry, from sales to lab technicians, and QA/QC to product development and manufacturing.

Two days to go!

Free Webinar: What does the science really say about Hemp and CBD?

12-May-2020 By Stephen Daniells

NutraIngredients-USA's free webinar on May 14 will explore the science of hemp-derived cannabinoids (including CBD) and terpenes - there's still time to register.

Curaleaf buoyed by increase in hemp oil demand during crisis

30-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

Consumers seem to be turning to hemp and cannabis products during the current crisis, which has buoyed the near term outlook for Curaleaf, one of the largest companies in the sector, which posted strong revenue growth in its recent annual report.

NutraCast Podcast: Carrie Mapes on cannabis and menopause

06-Mar-2020 By Danielle Masterson

In honor of International Women's Day on March 8th, today’s episode is focused on women's health.

NIU’s Global Round-up: Probiotic popularity in Japan, Poland streamlines supplement notifications, and more

03-Feb-2020 By Stephen Daniells

What’s happened across the Nutra-verse over the past seven days? Stay on top of things with our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.

Infinite Product Co: ‘A lawsuit based on CBD product labeling and marketing is particularly ill-suited for nationwide class treatment’

22-Jan-2020 By Elaine Watson

Emboldened by a recent court ruling in Florida that stayed a CBD-related class action on primary jurisdiction grounds (ie. putting the case on ice until the FDA weighs in), multiple brands hit with similar lawsuits are now pushing for stays and referencing...

Warning letter analysis shows FDA has target on CBD, not hemp

16-Jan-2020 By Hank Schultz

An analysis of recent warning letters underscores the notion that FDA is focused its enforcement efforts on CBD, and is not targeting hemp extracts per se.

Fresh Thyme expands its CBD set: ‘We’ve been surprised with the potency levels some people are looking for'

08-Jan-2020 By Elaine Watson

CBD is the fastest-growing category in supplements and bodycare in Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores, increasing average basket spend in the category and attracting new shoppers, says the Midwest retailer. However, sales growth is slowing as the category...

Attorneys weigh in on CBD lawsuits: ‘A wave of class action litigation was almost inevitable’

10-Dec-2019 By Elaine Watson

It was only a matter of time before the plaintiff’s bar sought to cash in on the legal uncertainty surrounding cannabidiol (CBD), say attorneys. So how might brands defend themselves against the latest wave of lawsuits, which argue that their products...

The FDA issues a stern warning on CBD... but does it signal a change in approach?

27-Nov-2019 By Elaine Watson

While penning 15 warning letters about CBD in one day (more than the FDA has sent in three years) attracted a lot of media attention, does it signal a change in enforcement priorities for the agency, which has repeatedly warned that cannabidiol is not...

Growing concerns prompt senators to urge USDA to adopt new hemp rules

27-Nov-2019 By Danielle Masterson

Sparked by proposed US Department of Agriculture regulations that would drastically alter the certification process for industrial hemp, two lawmakers from Oregon want the agency to make several changes before it finalizes rules for the US Domestic Hemp...

Kikoko taps into cannabis wellness for women whitespace

27-Nov-2019 By Danielle Masterson

Co-founder Amanda Jones spills the tea on new funding, ingredients, and the microdose movement.

Defendants hit back in CBD content lawsuits: ‘Naturally occurring nutrients have an 80% safe harbor’

25-Nov-2019 By Elaine Watson

Defendants in a recent spate of lawsuits alleging discrepancies between the amount of CBD advertised on pack and the amount contained in the products, have hit back in motions to dismiss, with one arguing that such cases should be stayed until the FDA...

UNPA webinar explores the path forward for CBD: ‘All sides are beginning to lawyer up and lobby up… the stakes are high as clearly the market opportunity is enormous’

23-Aug-2019 By Elaine Watson

Interest in CBD is “off the charts,” but those mulling the regulatory path forward for the hottest functional ingredient of the moment might be well advised to consider how other cannabinoids will fit into the regulatory framework going forward, says...

CBD is on fire, says Brightfield, but market remains dogged by regulatory confusion and ‘unclear terminology surrounding hemp’

12-Jul-2019 By Elaine Watson

The US market for foods and beverages featuring hemp-derived CBD – from relaxation drinks to gummies – could be worth $2.5bn by 2023, or 10.5% of an estimated $23.7bn market for CBD products (spanning everything from pharmaceuticals to petfood), predicts...

NCIA urges FDA to pursue ‘interim fix’ on CBD to reassure banks providing merchant services

31-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

“If we do not succeed in working together to reassure the card brands that they can safely support our industry, then we predict a significant decrease in CBD sales within the next few months,” the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) has warned.