The continued efforts of federal, state, and local governments to legalize cannabis, both in medical and recreational uses, leaves many potential impacts, including environmental law and regulatory issues in the manufacturing, processing, and distribution of cannabis products.
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FDA Stresses CBD Safety Concerns in 15 Warning Letters and Revised Consumer Update
In its largest mass enforcement action involving cannabidiol (CBD) yet, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced on November 25 the issuance of 15 warning letters to various companies for illegally selling products containing CBD. In addition to the letters, the FDA published a revised Consumer Update detailing safety concerns about CBD products more broadly. Notably, the FDA commented that it “plans to provide an update on its progress regarding the agency’s approach to these [CBD] products in the coming weeks.” Previously, the FDA had indicated it would generate a report by this Fall. Finally, the FDA reiterated that “[i]t is currently illegal to market CBD by adding it to a food or labeling it as a dietary supplement.” Unlike hemp derivatives– hulled hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil–which were added to the FDA’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) inventory, the FDA also confirmed that, at this time, CBD is not generally recognized as safe for use in human or animal food.
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The Week in Weed: June 7, 2019
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
First, a point of personal pride. The Blunt Truth started in February 2016, with the slightly crazy idea that a BigLaw firm could talk about marijuana on a regular basis. As of this week, we’ve
Georgia Legislature Goes to Pot
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill on April 17, entitled Georgia’s Hope Act (HB 324), allowing in-state production and sale of marijuana oil for medical use. Before this bill, Georgia only allowed citizens with a narrow list of specific medical conditions to possess cannabis oil with less than five percent THC, but
The Week in Weed: April 26, 2019
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
Our first stop this week is Alabama, where the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would revamp the state’s medical marijuana program. This is only a preliminary step on the road to passage, of
The Week in Weed: April 19, 2019
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
Beginning our coverage in Texas, the city of Dallas will no longer be prosecuting low-level first time cannabis offenders. And any pending cases will be dismissed.
Moving on to Georgia, we have an update on our
Proposition 65: Yet Another Challenge for California Cannabis Businesses to Bend Their Minds Around
As cannabis growers and retailers struggle with the complex and onerous regulatory scheme governing California’s emerging legal marijuana marketplace, they may be excused for overlooking the requirements of California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986—more commonly known as Proposition 65. Neither the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), nor its implementing regulations, reference or suggest that cannabis growers or retailers are subject to Proposition 65. Yet, Proposition 65 plainly applies to cannabis and cannabis products, and ignorance of its requirements can prove costly to fledgling and established cannabis businesses alike.
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The Week in Weed: March 1, 2019
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
Alaska was one of the first states to legalize cannabis, so it tends not to appear in the news very often. However, the governor has put forward a proposal to disband the Cannabis Control Board,
The Week in Weed: February 15, 2019
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
Possibly the biggest news this week was the first ever Congressional hearing on cannabis banking. From the hearing’s webpage, you can watch the hearing, read the committee’s memorandum and read the witnesses’ prepared statements. The
The Week in Weed: February 8, 2019
Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana.
Let’s start off this week’s post with some international news. The World Health Organization is recommending that cannabis should be removed as a controlled substance under international treaties. The recommendations will come up for a vote