Edibles industry sees trouble ahead as regulators begin prohibition

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More states are beginning to call a halt to edibles over health concerns

Marijuana edibles quickly rose to fame last year, making waves in a number of states where cannabis has been legalized. Most often with the infusion of the cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD), edibles can be found in almost any product and on virtually every shelf of dispensaries across the country. However, things are changing and the edible market may soon not be as large as it is currently. A number of jurisdictions are dropping the ax on the market, citing concerns over the lack of regulation and structure to properly manage the products.

So far, Ohio, Maine and New York City have sent their respective Department of Health (DOH) watchdogs to monitor the sale of CBD in places such as restaurants, cafes, bars and more. They argue that CBD is “not a federally approved food additive,” and, as such, is not legal.

The DOH of New York City said in a statement, “Restaurants in New York City are not permitted to add anything to food or drink that is not approved as safe to eat…Until cannabidiol (CBD) is deemed safe as a food additive, the Department is ordering restaurants not to offer products containing CBD.”

In Maine, regulators ordered the removal of all CBD edibles from stores. The same has been seen in California and Ohio.

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, which is now considered to be an agricultural product. Marijuana, on the other hand, is still illegal. Caught in the middle is CBD, which is found in both, but which the Food & Drug Administration is, for now, still classifying as an illegal substance. Until better guidance of CBD is provided, both on a national and a local level, it’s possible that more jurisdictions will join the anti-CBD regime.