FDA plans public hearing on CBD

The agency will give stakeholders a chance to offer input relevant to CBD regulatory strategy on May 31. In addition, the FDA is forming a high-level internal agency working group to explore regulatory pathways for marketing food and dietary supplements that contain CBD. Read more here...

Biggest public acquisition in U.S. cannabis history

Chicago-based Cresco Labs plans to acquire Canadian marijuana distributor Origin House (CannaRoyalty Corp.) for $850 million in a deal that will broaden Cresco’s presence in California, the country’s leading marijuana market, and put its brands on the shelves of 725 dispensaries across the country. Read more at Chicago Tribune...

National retailers sell CBD

CVS Pharmacy became the first national retailer to sell products that contain CBD when it put topical products on its shelves in 800 stores across eight states. Within days, rival Walgreens announced plans to stock similar products in 1,500 stores in select states. Read more at Forbes...

FDA cracks down on claims

The FDA and FTC sent warning letters to three companies that market CBD products for making “egregious and unfounded claims.” “According to their advertisements, the products can effectively treat diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia and ‘neuropsychiatric disorders,’” the FDA and FTC said jointly in a statement. Read more at U.S. News...

Farmers struggle to keep up with demand for industrial hemp

While the green rush continues, industrial hemp growers wrestle with expensive and inefficient processes and lab tests that are not always accurate as the industry tries to iron out kinks in the supply chain. Read more at CNBC...

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