Toronto, ON, May 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) and the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) call for improvements to Canadian regulations, which currently treat all phytocannabinoids, including CBD (cannabidiol), as “drugs.” Chronic shortages persist for a number of CBD-based products through both the medical cannabis and regulated retail cannabis markets, which is enabling a large and growing illegal market for unregulated CBD products of unknown purity, potency and provenance.
According to Russ Crawford, President of the CHTA, “Hemp is coming of age in Canada as an agricultural crop. The Cannabis Act allows hemp farmers to diversify and improve revenues by harvesting portions of the plant containing a variety of non-intoxicating cannabinoids for the first time. As a result, Canadian consumers could have access to these useful, naturally occurring compounds. However, in an unusual move and without any public consultation, Health Canada simultaneously added these compounds to the Prescription Drug List (PDL), and to Schedule 2 of the Natural Health Product Regulations, therefore restricting their use. Our two associations call on the federal government to regulate these potentially important compounds for self-care by Canadians in a manner consistent with their safety and low risk profile.”
“The CHTA and CHFA, representing nearly 2,000 member companies, have worked together to produce a white paper, “A Call for Smart Regulation of CBD,” which was released today,” stated Helen Long, President of the Canadian Health Food Association. “The World Health Organization’s recent review of CBD found the compound to be safe, well-tolerated, non- intoxicating and not associated with potential for abuse. We believe that CBD should be approved by Health Canada as a natural health product, just like other natural substances. And like other natural products, consumers should be able to buy CBD at their local natural health product retailer. Canadians shouldn’t have to hunt for CBD on the black market or in a store that sells recreational products that produce a high.”
“With smart regulation, Canadian companies could not only provide safe and effective CBD products to Canadian consumers, but also be world leaders in the multi-billion dollar global CBD market, creating new opportunities for Canadians farmers and innovative small businesses.” Added Ms. Long.
The new white paper identifies three reasons why an improved regulatory regime for CBD products is required:
1. CBD does not pose a significant risk to human health; 2. Canada is uniquely positioned to establish global leadership within this market by regulating CBD in a manner consistent with its risk profile; and 3. The current regulatory approach to CBD is perpetuating the illegal cannabis market.
The white paper can be downloaded from the CHTA or CHFA websites.
The Canadian Hemp Trade Association is a not-for-profit organization which represents over 260 growers from 9 out of 10 provinces as well as numerous processors, distributors, developers and researchers involved in Canada’s rapidly growing industrial hemp industry.
The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is Canada’s largest trade association dedicated to natural health and organic products. Representing over 1,000 businesses across Canada, members include manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and importers of natural health and organic products.
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