Here’s our summary of the top CBD news headlines for the month of August 2021.
Our monthly roundup is a compilation of news and information from the past month that is of most interest to users. The goal is to keep you updated on hot topics in the world of CBD, including industry news and research study findings.
In addition to a summary of each topic, we’ve also included links to learn more about those that most interest you.
Encouraging Research Study on CBD for Epilepsy
In late July 2021, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers published their findings from an observational study of patients with epilepsy. The key finding was that CBD may lessen the adverse effects from taking anti-seizure medications.
The study included 418 participants and also concluded that CBD “seems to improve other aspects of health and quality of life for patients.”
“The potential of CBD products for the treatment of seizure disorders goes beyond seizure control alone,” says Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “In our study, we saw clinically significant improvements in anxiety, depression and sleep when patients with epilepsy initiated therapeutic use of artisanal (non-pharmaceutical) CBD products.”
Increased Calls for CBD Regulation
The 2018 Farm Bill officially legalized hemp-derived CBD products in the U.S. when it was signed into law in December 2018. However, there has continued to be no federal oversight of the manufacture or sale of CBD products. This despite the fact that these products have dramatically increased in popularity in the last 2+ years.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable and other major industry groups have been increasingly asking for regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Most notably, regulation of the industry would help ensure consumer safety by holding manufacturers to production standards that aren’t present today.
In late July 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to an appropriations bill that urges the FDA to regulate the industry. In early August 2021, it was announced that the U.S. Senate is expected to issue a similar directive.
We at CBDOilUsers.com support the U.S. Hemp Roundtable’s efforts to push for regulation of CBD as a dietary supplement. The idea of government regulation may seem unappealing to some users. However, it really is the best path to help ensure the quality and safety of CBD products being sold.
Millennials and Gen Xers are Driving the CBD Market
The Brightfield Group, a data company that specializes in the CBD and cannabis industries, published its 2021 US Mid-Year CBD Report. Among the key takeaways was that over two-thirds (71%) of CBD users are millennials (born 1981-1995) and Gen Xers (born 1965-1980).
Their survey also indicates that 18% of consumers not using CBD today admit to not knowing enough about CBD products. Based on this statistic, they concluded that education is important to increasing usage by younger generations.
Download the free 2021 mid-year CBD report from the Brightfield Group
FDA Declines Requests to Approve CBD as a Dietary Supplement
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected the applications by two companies to approve CBD as a lawful dietary supplement. In their response to Charlotte’s Web and Irwin Naturals, the FDA cited concerns about the adequacy of safety data. They also indicated that their previous approval of Epidiolex, the FDA-approved CBD drug for pediatric seizures, precludes them from approval as a dietary supplement.
View the response to the FDA rejection letters from the U.S. Hemp Roundtable
Pet CBD Market Continues to Grow
The data firm NielsenIQ has increased its projections for 2021 sales of CBD products for pets from $175 million to $300 million. The increase was attributed to the increased availability of pet CBD products and pet owners who are spending more time at home with their furry friends during the pandemic.
Interestingly, the survey also indicates that CBD users are more likely to own a pet than those who don’t use it. Based on their data, 74% of CBD users own a dog or cat compared to 67% of all adult Americans.
