Where are we on Cannabis edibles (and drinkables)?

Let’s start the new year off with a look at what’s happening with Cannabis, a food politics topic because of its edibles.

First, the legal status

The word is that the market for Cannabis products—including edibles and drinkables—constitutes a the “21^st century gold rush,” despite their illegal regulatory status in the U.S.

Illegal?  Here’s what the the FDA says:

12,  Can products that contain THC or cannabidiol (CBD) be sold as dietary supplements?

A.  No.

13,  Is it legal, in interstate commerce, to sell a food to which THC or CBD has been added?

A. No

As for the status of Cannabis in Canada, the details are here.  Cannabis became legal in October, with some amusing results, here.  And then, there’s the question of Cannabis-infused beer, of all things:

• Molson Coors: Cannabis beverages could be a $3bn market in Canada: Molson Coors says its well placed to take a ‘meaningful share’ of the cannabis beverage market in Canada when it opens up in the fall of 2019, eyeing the size of a substantial prize… Read
• Cannabis-brewed craft beer: Province Brands of Canada and Lost Craft Beer partner ahead of product launch: Province Brands of Canada and Ontario brewery Lost Craft Beer are partnering to create beer brewed from cannabis instead of barley… Read

Cannabis-infused beer gets lots of attention, but craft brewers worried about the competition.

• ‘The iPhone is a bigger threat to craft beer than cannabis!’ Brewers Association: While some brewers are concerned that cannabis could emerge as a competitor to beer, the Brewers Association has not seen any evidence that it’s a huge threat to the craft beer sector. In fact, it believes cannabis could open up new innovation opportunities for the industry… Read

What about research on the effects of THC?

It’s been difficult to do it because of restrictions on illegal substances, but because the Farm Bill took hemp off the list, observers are hopeful that research possibilities will open up.

In the meantime, some research is ongoing.  For example: Cannabis increases appetite but whether it causes weight gain is still uncertain.

We will be hearing a lot more about this topic, I predict.  Stay tuned.

Happy new year, stoned or not.