Policy Précis: From Heavy Metals to Hemp Headaches
We catch up with the latest twists and turns in cannabis regulation and policy
Taking a strong position on emissions
Colorado has mandated heavy metals testing of vapor (rather than the e-liquid/oil) for vaped cannabis products, effective January 1, 2022. Companies will also have to start adding an expiry date to vape cartridges.
Dearth of diversity in Canadian cannabis
A report on race and gender in Canada's legal cannabis industry found that C-suite executives and directors were overwhelmingly white (84%) and male (86%). The authors recommend that the Canadian government implement social equity programs to help members of underrepresented groups enter the industry
Triple trouble
Three companies fell foul of regulators recently. Oregon testing lab Ecotest was stripped of its license after operating from an unlicensed facility. Ohio regulators issued a mandatory recall of cannabis chocolates after levels of cadmium exceeding state limits were detected. And Michigan authorities recalled cannabis flower from nine dispensaries for failing yeast and mold tests.
Have your say
US FDA published draft guidance to allow abbreviated new drug applications for oral CBD products; public comment open until November 23. Plus, the USDA announced plans to survey 18,000 hemp business to inform future regulatory efforts
Wanted: cannabis contractors
The US FDA is seeking a contractor to analyze thousands of CBD products. The work will expand on the pilot study described in the agency's update to congress last month, which found that CBD label claims were often inaccurate. Meanwhile, the DEA is looking for someone to burn four tons of seized cannabis and other controlled substances per day!
Hemp headaches
The recent DEA interim final rule on hemp has caused concern amongst hemp growers and processors. Now, hemp companies have filed a lawsuit against the DEA, alleging that the interim rule misinterprets the 2018 Farm Bill.
Blowing the whistle
A vape company employee claimed he was fired after raising concerns about vape pens that failed heavy metals testing being sold to the cannabis industry.
After studying biology at Imperial College London, I got my start in biomedical publishing as a commissioning editor for healthcare journals, and I’ve spent my career covering everything from early-stage research to clinical medicine. Attracted by the creativity, talent and passion of the team, I joined Texere Publishing in 2014, where I’m now Associate Content Director and Editor of The Cannabis Scientist.
