CBD and Cannabis News Update

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—NACS publishes periodic roundups of news and information on cannabis and CBD to help update Daily readers on the fast-moving products and their legality. Here are the topics in the news for the week of April 26 to May 2, as the CBD and cannabis industry responds to the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. Federal Activity

• Democrats Introduce Bill to Include Cannabis Businesses in Coronavirus Relief. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) have introduced a bill to make legal cannabis businesses eligible for federal coronavirus relief aid meant for small businesses. (Source: The Hill)
• Rosen, Wyden Lead Call on Congressional Leaders to Ensure Cannabis Small Businesses Can Access Emergency SBA Loan and Grant Programs. U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) led eight of their Senate colleagues, including Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), in a letter to congressional leadership calling for forthcoming COVID-19 relief legislative packages to allow state-legal cannabis small businesses and indirect cannabis small businesses to access emergency loan and grant programs administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. (Source: Press Release)
• Reps. Blumenauer, Lee, McClintock and Young Urge House Leadership to Include Cannabis Businesses in Next Phase of COVID-19 Relief. In a letter to House Leadership, Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Don Young (R-AK), co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, were joined by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) in urging House Leadership to include state-legal cannabis businesses, which employ nearly a quarter-million Americans, in future COVID-19 relief efforts. (Source: Press Release) 
• FDA Warns Companies Illegally Selling CBD Products to Treat Medical Conditions, Opioid Addiction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters to two companies for illegally selling unapproved products containing cannabidiol (CBD) in ways that violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). This action is a continuation of the FDA’s efforts to pursue companies that illegally market CBD products with claims that they can treat medical conditions, including opioid addiction or as an alternative to opioids. (Source: FDA)

State And Local Activity

• Majority of NJ Residents Say They’ll Vote for Marijuana Legalization in November. More than two-thirds of New Jersey residents said they plan to support legalizing marijuana when the matter goes before voters this November, according to a report from the Monmouth University Polling Institute. The poll found that of the 704 New Jersey adults interviewed between April 16 and 19, 61% said they will vote for legalization on the November ballot, while 34% said they will give a “no” vote. (Source: NJBiz)
• California Cannabis Equity Grants Program Provides $30 Million in Grant Funding for Local Jurisdictions. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), in partnership with the Bureau of Cannabis Control, announced $30 million in grant funding through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program to Local Jurisdictions. (Source: CA Cannabis Portal)

NACS has prepared a fact sheet (for members only) to help you navigate what’s legal and what’s not for CBD retailing.

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