On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the appointment of Norman Birenbaum as senior public health advisor at the agency’s Center for Regulatory Programs. Birenbaum is a former top cannabis regulator who led medical regulatory efforts in Rhode Island from 2016 to 2019 and was then hired to oversee New York’s medical marijuana and hemp programs. He is also the founding president of the Cannabis Regulators Association, which was formed to help coordinate state cannabis regulatory agencies.
“After four years of inaction, we are hopeful that the appointment of Norman Birenbaum by the FDA signals a positive step forward for the regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBD,” said U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel, Jonathan Miller. “We appreciated working with Birenbaum on the development on New York’s landmark regulatory regime for hemp, and we look forward to working closely with him on the development of a regulatory framework for CBD products to ensure consumer safety and product quality across the country.”
While this could be some indication from FDA that regulation may be on its way, we can’t rely on it happening anytime soon since the agency has also indicated that it may be in the hands of Congress. |