Congress should clarify hemp-derived cannabinoids fall under CSA, report says

Congress ought to “state clearly” that hemp-derived THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids extracted from hemp are subject to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), according to a new report sponsored by federal health authorities.

States should also follow “product quality and analytical standards” for cannabis flower and extracts set by the U.S. Pharmacopeia rather than conflicted regulations impacted by marijuana industry lobbying, according to a National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine report released Thursday, “Cannabis Policy Impacts Health and Health Equity.”

According to its website, the U.S. Pharmacopeia is an “independent, scientific nonprofit organization focused on building trust in the supply of safe, quality medicines.”

States prioritized ‘financial interests’ of cannabis

The “Cannabis Policy Impacts Health and Health Equity” report took a wide-ranging look at marijuana legalization’s impacts on social equity as well as public health.

The report- sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health – found that states prioritized “financial interests” and the sale of cannabis over public health when they legalized marijuana.

The report offered a long list of policy recommendations to Congress as well as the CDC.

In addition to removing hemp-derived cannabinoid products from federal Farm Bill protections that have allowed a “largely unregulated” industry to flourish, the report recommended:

• The CDC craft best practices for state regulation, closely monitor cannabis sales and public-health impacts and create public-health campaigns.
• Congress remove restrictions imposed on the Office of National Drug Control Policy that limit the study of marijuana legalization.
• States to require training and certification for marijuana retail employees,

Implementation would need funding

A CDC spokesperson told the Associated Press that “more money would be needed” to put the report’s suggestions into practice.`

Congress is a year overdue in updating the U.S. Farm Bill, though at least two lawmakers have proposed laws that would restrict or outright ban hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids outright.

In the meantime, some states have taken action to restrict the availability of hemp-derived products: In California, for example, emergency regulations to impose an outright ban took effect Monday.