Key points outlined in the discussion draft :
- As of July 2021, 18 states have legalized adult-use cannabis, reaching over 40% of Americans.
- 91% of Americans believe cannabis should be legal for either adult or medical use.
- The cannabis industry employs over 320,000 workers and generated over $17.5 billion in sales in 2020 (32% growth in 2020).
- By 2025, the cannabis industry could have an estimated nearly $45.9 billion in annual sales.
- Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level and the burden of prohibition falls disproportionately on Black and brown Americans: Black people are 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis use than white people, despite even cannabis use across demographics.
- People of color make up less than one-fifth of cannabis business owners and managers.
“Setting a safe level of consumption for CBD products is long overdue, but it remains the best path forward for consumers and the industry,” said Dr. Fabricant in a press release on the topic. “Unlike other federal bills, this one would do what NPA alone has long called for: It would direct FDA to expedite a rule that sets an upper limit for daily consumption. Setting this limit provides clarity for CBD innovators, and also creates a clear path to the well-regulated CBD marketplace that consumers deserve. While we still believe dietary supplements and foods should be under one piece of legislation, this is a positive development for consumers who use these products every day, and we look forward to working with Congress and the FDA to ensure that we have clear federal guidelines and safety standards for CBD products.”
