{"id":76894,"date":"2024-07-16T10:56:26","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T18:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2024\/07\/16\/fda-and-ftc-issue-more-warning-letters-to-hemp-businesses-allegedly-marketing-delta-8-thc-products-that-appeal-to-children\/"},"modified":"2024-07-17T19:46:45","modified_gmt":"2024-07-18T03:46:45","slug":"fda-and-ftc-issue-more-warning-letters-to-hemp-businesses-allegedly-marketing-delta-8-thc-products-that-appeal-to-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2024\/07\/16\/fda-and-ftc-issue-more-warning-letters-to-hemp-businesses-allegedly-marketing-delta-8-thc-products-that-appeal-to-children\/","title":{"rendered":"FDA And FTC Issue More Warning Letters To Hemp Businesses Allegedly Marketing Delta-8 THC Products That Appeal To Children"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank-13.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1500\"> <\/p>\n<p>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have sent another round of warning letters to several companies for allegedly marketing products containing delta-8 THC \u201cin packaging deceptively similar to many foods children eat such as Froot Loops and Chips Ahoy! chocolate chip cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In notices posted on Tuesday, the agencies noted that this is the second time they have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/fda-and-ftc-send-warning-letters-about-copycat-delta-8-thc-products-resembling-popular-food-brands-like-doritos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sent joint cease-and-desist letters to hemp companies over unapproved marketing<\/a> of the cannabis products. They made contact with another set of businesses about the \u201ccopycat\u201d issue last July.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCompanies that market and sell edible THC products that are easily mistaken for snacks and candy are not only acting illegally, but they are also putting the health of young children at risk,\u201d Samuel Levine, director of FTC\u2019s Bureau of Consumer Protection, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/news-events\/news\/press-releases\/2024\/07\/ftc-fda-send-second-set-cease-desist-letters-companies-selling-products-containing-delta-8-thc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> in a press release. \u201cThose that prioritize profits in front of children\u2019s safety are at serious risk of legal action.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The market for delta-8 THC and other novel cannabinoids has rapidly expanded in recent years following the legalization of hemp and its derivatives under the 2018 Farm Bill. FDA and FTC have generally exercised discretion in taking enforcement action against businesses that are selling products containing substances like CBD or delta-8, targeting those whose packaging or claims about medical benefits are especially misleading.<\/p>\n<p>FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Namandj\u00e9 Bumpus said \u201cinadequate or confusing labeling can result in children or unsuspecting adults consuming products with strong resemblance to popular snacks and candies that contain delta-8 THC without realizing it.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today, the FDA and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FTC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">@FTC<\/a> issued warning letters to five companies for illegally selling copycat food products containing Delta-8 THC and introducing them into the marketplace in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. <\/p>\n<p>These warnings serve as part of the FDA and\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/71cmdHNk3S\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">pic.twitter.com\/71cmdHNk3S<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/US_FDA\/status\/1813259864497434910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">July 16, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p \/>\n<p>\u201cAs accidental ingestion and\/or overconsumption of Delta-8 THC containing products could pose considerable health risks, the companies who sell these illegal products are demonstrating complete neglect for consumer safety,\u201d Bumpus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-ftc-continue-joint-effort-protect-consumers-against-companies-illegally-selling-copycat-delta-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a>. \u201cThe FDA will continue to work to safeguard the health and safety of U.S. consumers by monitoring the marketplace and taking action when companies sell products that present a threat to public health.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>FTC also published a blog <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/business-guidance\/blog\/2024\/07\/warning-companies-selling-cannabis-edibles-packaged-snacks-popular-kids-put-safety-over-sales\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">post<\/a> with guidance for businesses as well as a consumer-oriented <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/consumer-alerts\/2024\/07\/sellers-edible-cannabis-stop-using-packaging-mimics-foods-popular-kids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">page<\/a> that offers tips on how to identify potentially intoxicating products that resemble snacks that may appeal to children.<\/p>\n<p>In the background of this latest advisory, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/gop-led-congressional-committee-approves-bill-to-ban-most-consumable-hemp-products-such-as-delta-8-thc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">there\u2019s a contentious debate playing out in Congress<\/a> about proposals to ban consumable hemp-based cannabinoid products.<\/p>\n<p>As part of recently House-approved appropriations legislation and the latest iteration of the Farm Bill, those products would be effectively banned\u2014a controversy that has pitted hemp businesses against certain marijuana companies that are backing the proposal.<\/p>\n<p>A report attached to a spending bill also discusses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/gop-congressional-panel-directs-biden-admin-to-explain-marijuana-rescheduling-decision-saying-its-concerned-about-deviations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\">the committee\u2019s worries about unregulated cannabis products<\/a>, including those for which a business is making unsanctioned claims about therapeutic potential. It wants FDA to \u201ccontinue and increase\u201d efforts to take enforcement actions against bad actors in the hemp space.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is also imperative that FDA continue to exercise its existing authorities to preserve incentives to invest in robust clinical study of cannabis so its therapeutic value can be better understood,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n<p>The letters from FTC demand that the companies\u2014Hippy Mood, Life Leaf Medical CBD Center, Shamrockshrooms.com, Mary Janes Bakery Co. LLC, Miami Rave LLC and Earthly Hemps\u2014immediately stop marketing the intoxicating cannabinoid products that \u201cimitate conventional foods using advertising or packaging that is likely to appeal to young children.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re requesting that the companies get in touch with the agency within 15 days to \u201cdetail the specific actions it has taken to address the Commission\u2019s concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>FDA issued an earlier set of warnings in 2022 to different companies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/fda-issues-first-warning-letters-targeting-delta-8-thc-products-it-says-are-being-illegally-marketed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">over the allegedly illegal sale of products containing delta-8 THC<\/a>, publicizing information about what it described as unsanctioned medical claims about the items.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, at a House committee hearing in April, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf responded to criticism about FDA\u2019s failure to regulate CBD, arguing that, under the current system, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/fda-announces-it-will-not-issue-rules-to-allow-cbd-as-dietary-supplements-or-food-items-punting-to-congress-for-regulations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the agency will require additional congressional action<\/a> to get the job done.<\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers and stakeholders have also been eyeing a number of other proposals that could be incorporated into the next Farm Bill\u2014and which could come up as proposed amendments as the proposal moves through the legislative process\u2014including measures to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-bipartisan-congressional-bills-would-allow-hemp-derivatives-like-cbd-as-dietary-supplements-and-food-additives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\">free up hemp businesses to legally market products like CBD<\/a>\u00a0as dietary supplements or in the food supply.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014<br \/>\n<strong>Marijuana Moment is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don\u2019t miss any developments.<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank-12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.<br \/>\n\u2014<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Overall, the hemp market started to rebound in 2023 after suffering significant losses the prior year, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/hemp-market-saw-growth-in-2023-after-major-declines-in-2022-usda-report-shows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\">latest annual industry report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)<\/a>\u00a0that was released in April found.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0data\u00a0is the\u00a0result\u00a0of a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/usda-sends-thousands-of-surveys-to-hemp-farmers-to-understand-industry-growth-and-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\">survey that USDA mailed to thousands of hemp farmers\u00a0across the U.S.<\/a>\u00a0in January. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/usda-releases-results-of-benchmark-national-hemp-survey-finding-crop-reached-824-million-in-value-last-year\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\">first version of the department\u2019s hemp report<\/a>\u00a0was released in early 2022, setting a \u201cbenchmark\u201d to compare to as the industry matures.<\/p>\n<p>Bipartisan lawmakers and industry stakeholders have sharply criticized FDA for declining to enact regulations for hemp-derived CBD, which they say is largely responsible for the economic stagnation.<\/p>\n<p>USDA is also reportedly\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/usda-threatens-to-revoke-hemp-licenses-for-farmers-who-also-grow-marijuana-under-state-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\">revoking hemp licenses for farmers who are simultaneously growing marijuana<\/a>\u00a0under state-approved programs, underscoring yet another policy conflict stemming from the ongoing federal prohibition of some forms of the cannabis plant.<\/p>\n<p>For the time being, the hemp industry continues to face unique regulatory hurdles that stakeholders blame for the crop\u2019s value plummeting in the short years since its legalization. Despite the economic conditions, however, a recent report found that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/sales-of-hemp-derived-cannabinoids-like-cbd-outpace-legal-marijuana-and-are-on-par-with-craft-beer-report-finds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\">the hemp market in 2022 was larger than all state marijuana markets<\/a>, and it roughly equaled sales for craft beer nationally.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, internally at USDA, food safety workers are being\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/usda-reminds-workers-to-avoid-marijuana-and-cbd-amid-uptick-in-positive-thc-tests-and-confusion-over-state-reform-movement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\">encouraged to exercise caution and avoid cannabis products<\/a>, including federally legal CBD, as the agency observes an \u201cuptick\u201d in positive THC tests amid \u201cconfusion\u201d as more states enact legalization.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"I425VrEuSR\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/pennsylvania-dispensaries-omitted-from-medical-marijuana-industry-280e-tax-relief-due-to-drafting-error-in-bill-governor-signed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pennsylvania Dispensaries Omitted From Medical Marijuana Industry 280E Tax Relief Due To Drafting Error In Bill Governor Signed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p \/>\n<p><em>Photo courtesy of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/photo-assorted-colored-gummy-bears-on-white-background-7668053\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pexels\/Kindel Media<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/fda-and-ftc-issue-more-warning-letters-to-hemp-businesses-allegedly-marketing-delta-8-thc-products-that-appeal-to-children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">FDA And FTC Issue More Warning Letters To Hemp Businesses Allegedly Marketing Delta-8 THC Products That Appeal To Children<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#013;<br \/>\n&#013;<br \/>\nRead More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/fda-and-ftc-issue-more-warning-letters-to-hemp-businesses-allegedly-marketing-delta-8-thc-products-that-appeal-to-children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">FDA And FTC Issue More Warning Letters To Hemp Businesses Allegedly Marketing Delta-8 THC Products That Appeal To Children<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have sent another round of warning letters to several companies for allegedly marketing products containing delta-8 THC \u201cin packaging deceptively similar to many foods children eat such as Froot Loops and Chips Ahoy! chocolate chip cookies.\u201d In notices posted<span class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2024\/07\/16\/fda-and-ftc-issue-more-warning-letters-to-hemp-businesses-allegedly-marketing-delta-8-thc-products-that-appeal-to-children\/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":458,"featured_media":76895,"comment_status":"false","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18,81],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76894"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/458"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76894"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76894\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76896,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76894\/revisions\/76896"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}