New regulations governing hemp-derived CBD products were released by New York's Department of Health on Wednesday. The long-awaited changes to the state's Cannabinoid Hemp Program propose various quality control standards and a licensing program for the CBD sector.
A few highlights from the 63-page document:
- Creates a system for allowing hemp-derived cannabinoids to be used in certain foods, beverages, topicals, and dietary supplements.
- Prohibits processors from making claims suggesting the products will treat or
prevent disease. - Requires product labeling and laboratory testing.
- Bans sale of smokable hemp flower and other products, "in the form of an injectable, transdermal patch, inhaler, suppository, flower product including cigarette, cigar or pre-roll, or any other disallowed form as determined by the department."
Industry insiders on the Island and throughout the state are now calling for the removal of [the smokable hemp flower ban], claiming that an all-out ban on the sale of smokable flower, sold alone or in pre-rolled joints, will negatively impact New York farmers.
"If not removed from the proposed rules, it may essentially push the small and craft farms out of the industry," Nicole Ricci, executive director of Cortland-based trade group the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association, said, adding that the regulation fails to capture the bill's intent of allowing for a "vibrant, prosperous industry" for consumers, growers and processors.
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