CBD News Roundup: US Drug Enforcement Agency Files Suit Against Hemp Activists

Here’s the latest CBD news:

• The US Drug Enforcement Administration is filing suit against hemp activists who claim the government agency is making a power grab against the hemp industry.
• Nutritional product retailer the Vitamin Shoppe has released its own line of CBD products.

DEA Files Lawsuit Against Hemp Activists

As we reported recently, hemp activists have questioned why the US Drug Enforcement Administration considers temporary hemp production byproduct to be a Schedule 1 substance.

The DEA has now responded to the challenge, saying it “is not required to explain how the (rule) applies to every hypothetical circumstance.” 

The DEA went further and criticized the activists’ attempts to seek a speedy resolution. “It is never appropriate for a private party … to hijack an agency’s policy making process to receive expedited consideration of their own concerns,” said the DEA. The DEA also suggested that the hemp case be moved from the district court to an appeals court.

The challenge in question was put forth by the Hemp Industries Association and South Carolina CBD maker RE Botanicals in reaction to a rule the DEA issued last summer. 

According to the DEA, it was updating its policies to comply with the 2018 Farm Bill, but hemp activists say the DEA is making an illegal power grab.

The Farm Bill removed low-THC cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, effectively making CBD products legal. But the new policies from the DEA say that hemp extracts are still Schedule 1 controlled substances when they spike beyond allowable limits during a specific portion of the extraction process.

The Vitamin Shoppe® Releases Line of Full Spectrum & Broad Spectrum CBD Hemp Extract Products

This week, nutritional product retailer The Vitamin Shoppe® announced its first line of CBD hemp extract products.

The Vitamin Shoppe is releasing full spectrum CBD products under its Vthrive brand and while broad-spectrum CBD products are being released under the plnt® brand banner. The new tinctures and capsules will be available exclusively in The Vitamin Shoppe stores and online within the Shoppe’s CBD HQ.

“Bringing these new CBD products to market is a decisive milestone in the expansion of our private brands business and The Vitamin Shoppe’s commitment to industry-leading innovation,” said Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe. “The exceptional skill and knowledge of our product development and scientific and regulatory teams delivered a range of CBD formulas that are second to none in this dynamic product category. 

“Our ingredient purity, unique CBD extraction methods, and rigorous testing guarantees the highest level of quality from farm to lab to shelf. This launch further establishes The Vitamin Shoppe as the trusted national destination for CBD innovation and as a leader in health and wellness solutions.”