New European trade group hopes to help its members put CBD products in stores

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United Kingdom-British Virgin Islands medical cannabis dispute

(This is an abridged version of a story that first appeared at Hemp Industry Daily.)

A fledgling United Kingdom-based trade group, which represents about 25 companies from Europe and North America, is seeking to allow its members to sell CBD products even though they might be in violation of European Union regulations.

Specifically, because the EU considers CBD a “novel food,” the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) is proposing that its member businesses work closely with food regulators to “foster full compliance” and, hopefully, skirt the requirement for a “premarketing authorization.”

The strategic director of the ACI’s parent group, the Centre For Medicinal Cannabis (CMC) said the goal is eased enforcement against member companies selling CBD once regulators see the commitment shown by ACI members in applying for the required authorization.

“The novel-food designation isn’t going away, and some enforcement from authorities is inevitable,” the CMC’s Steve Moore told Hemp Industry Daily.

“We need to operate within a regulatory framework that builds trust and aids sustainability, innovation and consumer confidence.”

ACI members not only will apply for authorization, Moore said, but they also will commit to removing detectable THC and strictly following testing and labeling rules and marketing standards.

In doing so, the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry’s goal, in case of a crackdown by UK regulators, is to shield CBD sellers from being the initial targets.

That fear stems from the fact cannabinoids are included in the European Novel Food Catalogue, which mandates research requirements be met before CBD products can be sold.

Enforcement is at the discretion of EU-member states.

A full version of this story is available here.

Alfredo Pascual can be reached at alfredop@mjbizdaily.com