Cannabis and hemp plants, and the products made from them have been increasingly intriguing to the public eye.

More and more consumers are looking into cannabis and hemp-derived products as an alternative solution to many common problems, such as anxiety and depression.

However, cannabis and hemp have a long history of intense regulation. 

Cannabis, with its high level of THC, the psychoactive compound, is still considered illegal by the federal government, even though it has been legalized in many states for both medicinal and recreational use.

With that, it’s cousin, Hemp, while legal in all 50 states, since the passing of the Federal Farm Bill in 2019, still faces stringent guidelines enforced by the Food and Drug Administration.  Neither THC or CBD can be added to a food or marketed as a dietary supplement under current federal law.  You might be interested to understand the kinds of regulations are required for compliance by High Falls Hemp NY.

What is the FDA?

In America, the Food and Drug Association is the Federal agency which maintains regulatory oversight of food, cosmetics, drugs and other products.  The FDA is the first and final word on any product meant to be consumed by someone. This includes cannabis and THC, hemp and CBD. 

The role of the FDA  is to consider these products from every possible angle, and determine whether or not they are safe for consumers. If they aren’t, then companies will be required to either modify the product to be safer, or not sell it at all.

What are the regulatory guidelines for High Falls Hemp and other CBD companies?

Most of the research the FDA performs is fairly opaque, and difficult to understand as a member of the public but should you wish to explore it further, it’s readily available.  High Falls Hemp NY sells one of the few cannabis-based products that has been approved: Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a naturally occurring compound in all cannabis plants. This, along with THC, are the two most significant aspects of cannabis, and have the most direct effects on mood and personality.

Any CBD product must comply with FDA standards. The most important of these is THC content. THC is a psychoactive compound and directly affects the brain. As such, the FDA has determined all CBD products must have less than 0.3% THC.  High Falls Hemp NY only sells products that are within this tolerance level and fully compliant with state and federal laws.  If they didn’t adhere to this regulation, they would be facing legal trouble or not be permitted to sell their product.

Moreover, any additional chemicals must be proven to have few, and rare side effects. This should be no issue for a company producing CBD products to strictly adhere to so it’s important for you to do your research and make sure the products you are considering follow this guideline.  

What has the FDA determined CBD brands can do?

The FDA has been conducting research on CBD and its effects for many years. While they’ve already compiled a wealth of information, more and more research is being conducted every year. As such, any published data is subject to change, and it’s important to maintain how uncertain we still are on many aspects of CBD, and whatever side effects it may cause. 

The FDA has stated CBD can cause:

• Changes in alertness, causing individuals to feel more sleepy
• Changes in mood
• Liver injury
• Gastrointestinal distress(such as diarrhea)
• A decrease in appetite
• Damage to fertility in men

Importantly, CBD should never be taken with any alcohol or drugs. It can drastically change their effects and should be treated with caution as a result. Even so, there are still plenty of aspects we don’t understand about CBD, and if you’re even thinking about trying it, it’s prudent to consult a physician first and make sure you are using an established brand with good credentials.