The 2018 farm bill legalized the production of industrial hemp and farmers are clearly interested in a potential new cash crop, but many obstacles must be overcome before the industry can take root, said lawmakers and federal regulators on Thursday. “There are cautions regarding this new crop, but let me be clear: I am extremely supportive of new opportunities for farmers,” said Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Pat Roberts in opening a hearing on hemp production.
Principal deputy FDA commissioner Amy Abernethy said the agency was assessing the safety of the popular hemp product cannabidiol (CBD) in order to decide if it can be safely added to foods and dietary supplements. “To our knowledge, the tests just haven’t been done,” she said. That’s hardly surprising, since hemp, as a member of the marijuana family, was classified as an illegal drug for years. CBD oil is already being promoted as a tonic for a range of conditions.
“The FDA must consider the potential safety implications of long-term use of CBD by different human and animal populations,” said Abernethy. There are also the issues of assuring consistent strength in CBD products, safe manufacturing processes, and accurate labeling of the contents of the products. Abernethy said the FDA was employing an expedited process for its review of CBD. The agency approved a drug containing CBD in 2018 to treat two severe forms of childhood seizures and decided that three food products derived from hemp seed can be used legally in the U.S. food supply.
Meanwhile, the USDA aims to issue a regulation in time for 2020 crops that will spell out guidelines for state and tribal oversight of industrial hemp, said Agriculture Undersecretary Greg Ibach. Hemp will be eligible for coverage in 2020 through so-called whole farm crop insurance policies. Assistant EPA administrator Alexandra Dunn said the agency will decide which pesticides are safe for use with industrial hemp and set residue limits for them. Since May, the agency has received 10 requests to revise pesticide labels to include hemp as an approved use.
To watch a video of the hearing or to read written statements by witnesses, click here.