Search results: marijuana

I’m trying to keep up with what’s happening with Cannabis edibles and drinkables, still with borderline legality in most places, but gradually working their way to supermarkets near you.

Here’s what’s come up lately.

• The FDA is calling a public hearing on May 31 and asking for comments on Cannabis products.
• The Washington Post discusses the messy regulatory situation.
• Cannabidiol (CBD), extracted from hemp, does not have the psychoactive properties of marijuana.
• The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the raising of hemp, which contains CBD.
• On the local level: regulators in different agencies view regulation in different ways.
• On the global level: different countries are handling regulation of these products in different ways.
• CVS will be selling CBD products as over-the-counter drugs.
• As for edibles, CBD-infused water is predicted to be the big seller.
• The Sacramento Bee reported what happens when kids get into their parents’ marijuana edibles; it called for childproof packaging.
• A video from Fresno County shows unlicensed marijuana edibles, some of which look like candies aimed at children.
• The FDA will hold a public hearing on the safety, manufacturing, quality, marketing, labeling, and sale of Cannabis products on May 31.

And then there are the health claims.  As early as 2017, the FDA sent out warning letters to makers of CBD products; they were marketing their products as drugs not supplements or foods.

For example, the FDA sent a letter to That’s Natural, complaining that the company published testimonials saying things like this:

• “Scientific research by doctors have shown it actually kills cancer cells and provides a protective coating around our brain cells.”
• “as a Type 1 diabetic, my blood sugars have noticeably leveled off.”
• “My blood pressure and heart rate have also significantly improved as well.”

The FDA also sent a letter to Green Roads of Florida objecting to claims like these:

• “CBD .[has] anti-proliferative properties that inhibit cell division and growth in certain types of cancer, not allowing the tumor to grow.”
• “Almost all studies recognize CBD’s potential in preventing both cancer spread and growth…”
• “The following are some of the many ailments CBD oil can potentially be therapeutic for:  asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, autism, bipolar disorder, various types of cancer….

Food, medicine, supplement, or snake oil?  We shall see.

As decriminalization of marijuana use proceeds steadily, I am seeing more attention focused on cannabis-infused edibles.  These are now produced commercially by businesses that go well beyond brownies.

Pediatricians, as I’ve discussed previously, are worried about kids eating them.

These days:

• Edibles account for half of cannabis sales.
• Baked goods alone account for 10% of cannabis sales.
• The total cannabis market is projected to reach $27 billion this year.

But in Colorado, where such things are legal, producers are complaining that the regulatory environment is so difficult that they can’t make a profit.

According to a report in the industry newsletter, Bakery and Snacks, the profit problem was the focus of an education session at a Las Vegas conference on “The Future of Wholesale Baking with Marijuana,” conducted by two producers of infused edibles, Sweet Grass Kitchen and Love’s Oven.  Their gripes:

• “Regulations are killing the business.”
• “The leftover cannabis after extraction…has to be destroyed by bakery employees on camera, and locked in a compost container and sent to a compost facility.”
• “Licensed marijuana bakers have to pay around $16,000 per month to the State of Colorado and the City of Denver for product testing conducted by a verified third-party laboratory.”
• The labeling requirements are onerous: “It’s very difficult to stamp a baked good like a chocolate chip cookie. We don’t make Oreos. This new law has forced us all to spend a lot of capital on new machines and capabilities that are way above what a non-infused bakery of our size would typically have.”

Startups are always hard.  But with half of $27 billion at stake, and more and more states considering legalizing the stuff, I can see why they are hanging in there.

While we are on the topic, a new paper in JAMA reviews statistics on marijuana use in the U.S. and reports 7000 new users a day, and rising.  It calls for better surveillance of how much is used, and how.

I will be watching the use and the business of edibles with much interest.

JAMA Pediatrics has just published a report that cases of marijuana intoxication in young children has increased since the drug was legalized in Colorado.  The authors are careful to note that the number of cases is small relative to those that occur in kids consuming pharmaceutical drugs or household cleaning products, but the trend is not good.

Nearly half the cases occurred in kids eating foods in which THC (tetrahydrocannibinaol) is a prominent ingredient:

Known marijuana products involved in the exposure included 30 infused edible products (48%): 17 baked goods (cookies, brownies, and cake), 10 candies, and 2 popcorn products…. Ingestion of edible products continues to be a major source of marijuana exposures in children and poses a unique problem because no other drug is infused into a palatable and appetizing form. These palatable products are often indistinguishable from the noninfused products.

Dosing a drug in a “serving size” less than typically recommended for an equivalent food product also can be a source of confusion. For example, a marijuana chocolate bar can contain multiple 10-mg THC single-dose units. In adults, overconsumption of edible projects is associated with an increase in ED visits resulting from dysphoric reactions, panic attacks, and anxiety. Edibles have also been blamed for 3 adult deaths in Colorado.

Pot-laced popcorn?

One concern is that the infused edibles look like normal foods.  You have to read the fine print to see the THC label.

And they are not likely to go away.  THC-edibles are big business.  They accounted for 45% of marijuana sales last year, according to the Denver Post.

Dr. Christopher Colwell, chief of emergency medicine at Denver Health Medical Center…estimated there was a fivefold to tenfold increase in the number of patients — including a sharp rise in the number of adolescents and teenagers — arriving at the hospital after consuming part or all of a marijuana edible.

Colwell said he expected an increase in the number of marijuana cases. But he said he was surprised and concerned with the higher potency of THC in the edibles and the more severe symptoms it can cause.

Users: be careful.

Parents: keep the brownies away from kids.

I’m guessing we will be hearing  a lot more about this issue.

I collect items about cannabis edibles and just realized nothing new has come in for a for a long time.  Not much is happening with these products since President Trump reclassified marijuana as a Class III (less dangerous) drug. 

The FDA regulates cannabis edibles but has not said anything new about them for the last two years (since July 2024).

On the reclassification

• DOJ, DEA Reschedule Medical Cannabis Products: The rescheduling follows a 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump, which called on the U.S. Attorney General to “take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process related to rescheduling marijuana.” READ MORE

International regulation

• France bans CBD edibles, European agency agrees on ‘reproductive toxicant’ classification: France has banned CBD edibles and convinced the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that CBD should be treated as a reproductive toxicant, adding pressure on an “already fragile and highly uncertain” market…. Read more

New CBD edibles

• Señorita Debuts 1777 Hemp THC Spirit: With notes of agave, lime and dragon fruit, 1777 comes in a 750 ml bottle and includes 10 mg of hemp-derived THC per 1.5-oz. serving. READ MORE
• Grön Brings Chocolate Bars to New Jersey: Grön brings to New Jersey a collection of five chocolate bars, each built around a clear, effect-based experience. READ MORE

New CBD drinks

• High Rise Beverage Co. Expands Infusions Lineup: The brand’s Raspberry and Orange THC infusions, available in 750 ml bottles, join the original Citrus flavor. READ MORE
• Twofold Introduces THC Spirits: Twofold is presented in a 750 ml bottle and designed for structured cocktail use. READ MORE

Oops: Psilocin edibles

• The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warns consumers not to eat TRE House brand Magic Mushroom gummies, chocolate bars and syrup. These products contain synthetic psychedelic compounds that may cause severe illness, hospitalization or even death. TRE House products were found to contain an analogue of psilocin, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) schedule I drug. All of the products contain 4-Acetoxy-DET (4-Acetoxy-N,N-diethyltryptamine) while most also contain 4-Acetoxy-DMT (4-Acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine). Both are illegal psychedelics.

Comment

To put it mildly, these products are not tightly regulated.  They may contain more or less of the active ingredient than what is on the label.  Be careful with them.  And keep them away from kids and pets.

____________________

Arriving Sept 8. For a 30% discount, pre-order here using code UCPSAVE30.

Legal issues about CBD and THC edibles continue to be in flux, and not only in the United States.

• DOJ, DEA Reschedule Medical Cannabis Products: The rescheduling follows a 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump, which called on the U.S. Attorney General to “take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process related to rescheduling marijuana.” READ MORE
• France bans CBD edibles, European agency agrees on ‘reproductive toxicant’ classification:  France has banned CBD edibles and convinced the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that CBD should be treated as a reproductive toxicant, adding pressure on an “already fragile and highly uncertain” market…. Read more

One big issue is their safety, since nobody is checking to see what is really in the products.

• The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning consumers not to eat TRE House brand Magic Mushroom gummies, chocolate bars and syrup. These products contain synthetic psychedelic compounds that may cause severe illness, hospitalization or even death.

In the meantime, lots of new cannabis-fortified foods are on the market.

• Grön Brings Chocolate Bars to New Jersey:  Grön brings to New Jersey a collection of five chocolate bars, each built around a clear, effect-based experience. READ MORE
• Death Row Cannabis Expands into Nevada: The Nevada launch brings Death Row Cannabis into one of the most dynamic cannabis markets in the country, positioning the brand to capitalize on the state’s high-volume, tourism-driven economy. READ MORE  
• nuEra Introduces Pickle-Flavored Edibles:  Available now at nuEra Chicago, the 10 mg THC-infused gummy is a reimagining of a classic edible. READ MORE

And there is a whole new category of drinks: hemp spirits; these are non-alcoholic.

• Señorita Debuts 1777 Hemp THC Spirit:With notes of agave, lime and dragon fruit, 1777 comes in a 750 ml bottle and includes 10 mg of hemp-derived THC per 1.5-oz. serving. READ MORE
• High Rise Beverage Co. Expands Infusions Lineup: The brand’s Raspberry and Orange THC infusions, available in 750 ml bottles, join the original Citrus flavor. READ MORE
• Twofold Introduces THC Spirits:  Twofold is presented in a 750 ml bottle and designed for structured cocktail use. READ MORE 

Comment

This is information, not recommendation.  Be careful about these products.

• • Their doses are unregulated; start small and wait two hours before taking more.
  • Keep them securely away from children.
  • Don’t let pets consume them.

I am a big fan of Whole Dog Journal, a terrifically interesting and useful publication about anything you might want to know about having a dog as a pet—or family member.

One of its recent articles: What to Do If Your Dog Eats Marijuana (Edibles, Weed, Vape Cartridges, etc.)

I wrote about cannabis edibles in a chapter in my latest book, What to Eat Now, and discussed edibles as pet food in that chapter.  That section starts like this:

Pet treats and supplements constitute a sub-genre of edibles, and one that is highly profitable. Owners of dogs and cats spent an estimated $426 million on CBD [non-psychoactive cannabidiol],  pet products in 2020, an amount expected to increase in parallel with reports of increasing anxiety, stress, and behavioral problems in companion animals. For the cannabis industry, pet anxiety is a market opportunity, one that easily explains Honest Paws Calm CBD Peanut Butter for dogs or D Oh Gee CBD turkey and cranberry chewies for calming support and joint wellness.

Every cannabis store in my Manhattan neighborhood sells CBD—but also THC (psychoactive delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol)—treats for dogs.

The Whole Dog Journal article warns: “The amount and type of THC-containing product consumed will determine the seriousness of this event for your dog, and dictate the level of your emergency response.”

A variety of products are available as cannabis edibles, including gummies and other candies, mints, chocolates and chocolate bars, beverages, potato chips, and baked goods such as brownies and cookies. Unfortunately, many of these sweet or savory options are also attractive to our dogs. While we may have more self-control regarding how many edibles we consume at one time, dogs are more likely to ingest an entire package of any edibles they can reach because they taste delicious.

The writer warns that if you see signs of THC toxicity in your dog “listlessness, incoordination when walking, falling over when standing, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, dribbling urine, and an exaggerated response to light, touch, and sound,” take it to a veterinarian immediately.

My advice:

• If you have edibles in your home, lock them up where your pets—and your children—cannot get at them.  Edibles are an increasing cause of kids’ visits to hospital emergency rooms.
• If you have pet edibles in your home, keep them away from your pets (so they don’t overeat them)—but also keep them away from your children.  Young kids can’t tell the difference between gummies for pets, grownups, and them.

I haven’t said much about cannabis edibles for a while, but here’s some of what’s happening.

In the UK

• An ‘historic’ moment for CBD industry as UK Gov sets legal THC limit: The UK Government has finally accepted a set legal THC limit for CBD products in an ‘historic’ move that aims to bring some legal clarity to the industry, but an expert warns there are some muddied waters yet to be cleared…. Read more
• ‘It’s imperative to recognise that not all CBD is created the same’: CBD players digest potential ‘dagger-blow to the UK industry’:  In a move that has potentially far-reaching implications for the CBD industry in the UK, the Food Standards Agency has issued new precautionary advice, recommending healthy adults should limit their consumption of CBD from food to 10mg per day, down from the 70mg level recommendation set in 2020…. Read more
• UK CBD brand Trip announces ‘best week of sales ever’, despite shake-up in FSA guidance: New advice published by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) earlier this month recommends adults should limit their CBD consumption from food to 10mg a day. But TRIP – the company boasting the country’s top selling CBD drink – reports record sales over the last week: saying this illustrates “consumers’ confidence in superior quality CBD.” So how could the CBD drinks market shape up moving forward?… Read mor
• Industry demands closure to CBD regulation stalemate: The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) has published a report calling on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Home Office to work together to end the regulatory stalemate threatening the sector…. Read more

In the US

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management’s list of dispensaries.

New York’s Housing Works Reports $24 Million in Sales. New York City‘s first legal adult-use dispensary, Housing Works Cannabis Co. logged $24 million in sales in its first year of business. That’s a significant portion of the $137 million in sales that the New York Cannabis Control Board reported for the entire state as of early December, according to its annual 2023 report.

New flavors, formats driving cannabis-infused food and beverage products: The Jones Soda brand has its sights on new products, including a new candy launch, as national efforts mount to reclassify marijuana.

Magnolia Bakery has weed edibles now. But you can’t buy them in New York: New York City’s iconic Magnolia Bakery, which is famous for its cupcakes and banana pudding and is often the first stop for legions of tourists, announced a new lineup of THC treats on Wednesday. However, none of them will be for sale at any of Magnolia’s eight locations in the city — or anywhere in New York state, for that matter….in New York, retailers selling THC products must be licensed by the state’s Office of Cannabis Management.

Research

Cannabis-Related Disorders and Toxic Effects. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:2267-2275.  DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra2212152: Heavy cannabis use has adverse effects on physical and mental health. Research is needed to better elucidate the pathophysiology of these effects and develop better treatments.

Congressional Research Service.  Farm Bill Primer: Selected Hemp Industry Issues: The 2018 farm bill further directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a framework to regulate hemp cultivation under federal law and facilitate commercial cultivation, processing, marketing, and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products. USDA published its final hemp regulations in 2021. Other 2018 farm bill provisions made hemp producers eligible for federal crop insurance and agricultural research programs. Congress may consider further amendments as it debates the next farm bill.

I received an email from the American Kratom Association, an organization I did not know existed. (now, I do).

Landmark Bipartisan Bill Regulating Kratom in the United States Introduced in Congress

Bill will ensure consumers have continued access to safe, regulated kratom products

The American Kratom Association is elated to announce Federal Kratom Consumer Protection Act legislation has been filed in both the Senate and House. This is a monumental moment for kratom consumers and a significant step towards protecting the rights of millions of Americans. The fight is far from won, but we are only arriving at this exciting event because of the support of so many amazing advocates.

What is kratom?  It depends on whom you ask.

The American Kratom Association says:

Kratom is a plant that has been used safely for centuries in Southeast Asia and in the United States since the early 1970s. ..for a variety of health and wellness purposes, including for an energy boost, increased focus, reducing anxiety, and as a personal harm reduction tool for managing acute and chronic pain.   [see KratomAnswers.org for details]

The U.S.  Drug Enforcement Administration agrees that Kratom has a long history of use in Southeast Asia.   But, it says,

Consumption of its leaves produces both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses), and can lead to psychotic symptoms, and psychological and physiological dependence….In the U.S., the abuse of kratom has increased markedly in recent years…The FDA has not approved Kratom for any medical use. In addition, DEA has listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern.

The FDA says kratom is an unapproved drug and writes cease-and-desist letters to its sellers.

This begins to sound  just like what’s going on with hemp and marijuana in New York State (see yesterday’s post).

********

For 30% off, go to www.ucpress.edu/9780520384156.  Use code 21W2240 at checkout.