FDA Chief Faces CBD Questions At Congressional Hearing

FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn discussed enforcement actions the agency has taken against companies that have made unsanctioned claims about the medical benefits of their cannabidiol products and said additional research is needed before decisions are made about further enforcement guidance or allowing such products to be lawfully marketed.

“We have a knowledge gap, sir, that makes it difficult for us to know how to proceed in several areas,” Hahn said in response to a question from Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) during the House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on FDA’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget request.

The commissioner noted that FDA has issued warnings to businesses claiming their CBD products can treat cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, which he described as “the highest risk areas.”

“We will continue to enforce that,” he said. “We are exploring the possibility of some regulatory approaches from an enforcement approach that should help us actually get to the right place and prioritize the highest risk areas.”