Washington, D.C.—The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), in light of COVID-19, moved their annual Day on the Hill federal advocacy event to an online drive, according to a press release. The Supplement Advocacy Send-In encouraged member companies to contact congressional representatives about industry issues.

One issue in particular: cannabidiol and other cannabinoid compounds. The press release notes that it’s been a year since FDA’s public hearing regarding cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds and CRN’s Citizen Petition asking FDA to use its statutory discretion to permit CBD to be sold in supplements. Following up on this topic, CRN’s member companies country-wide sent 127 letters to 100 representatives in 30 states requesting they echo the call to action.
Related: CRN Moves Flagship Events Online Study Lists Potential Drug Interactions with Cannabinoid Products Researchers Note Potential of CBD as COVID-19 Treatment Option
“Advocating for our members and the entire dietary supplement industry continues to be a top priority for CRN regardless of whether or not we can meet with representatives on Capitol Hill,” said Julia Gustafson, VP, Government Relations, CRN, in the press release. “The issues most important to the industry—including the need for CBD to be regulated as a dietary supplement—have not gone away since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The success of the Send-In speaks to the dedication of our members to addressing these challenges and enhancing the dietary supplement marketplace.

“We were able to come together and raise our collective virtual voices to advocate for real change during a time that requires us be apart,” Gustafson continued. “Communication between industry stakeholders and government officials is more important now than ever. If FDA fails to act on CBD, consumer interest will continue to grow along with a thriving but plainly unlawful array of CBD products.”