There may be only one FDA-approved CBD product in the market, but the US federal agency is prioritizing it and other phytocannabinoids. Top-ranked FDA officials said that it is now a priority for the agency, given the broad interest in cannabidiol and the commercially available CBD product count.
One of those officials is Amy Abernethy, who leads the FDA CBD Working Group. She talked about the matter at the Hemp Industry Daily Conference. Held virtually this year, owing to the risk of COVID-19 transmission, this conference was regarding phytocannabinoids and gender. Abernethy reiterated the FDA’s focus on the increasing consumer interest in cannabidiol and other products derived from cannabis.
She said that nothing is known regarding whether the derivatives are useful for health issues, besides the fact that the FDA has approved Epidiolex® for specific forms of epilepsy. At the same time, she added that the FDA does not understand in what way possible advantages might exceed the risks of cannabis derivatives.
The FDA official also stated that there exist several unanswered questions regarding the quality, safety and science of cannabidiol goods. It is surprising to hear this from the US federal government, which itself sets CBD laws and regulations. Anyhow, it is also admirable as the FDA has a lot on its plate right now, including the approval matter on vaccines for COVID-19.
As for Abernethy, the agency notices “significant knowledge gaps” regarding CBD use safety levels, particularly in groups like pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. She also said that there exist “mounting needs” for consolidating the known things regarding CBD goods and letting the public know the discrepancies between the former and the things that should be known.
The government formed the aforesaid group last year, to tackle those CBD-related knowledge gaps, plus look into possible pathways for the goods so that these become legally marketable. The group now looks at how to do further research in a fast and efficient manner, to tackle the vital questions of CBD safety and efficacy.
When more of these details are learned, the federal agency will keep updating the public regarding the path ahead, while offering information on the basis of sound data and science. Some of the pieces of information are about the possible different effects of cannabidiol on men and women. As for Abernethy, women are perhaps more likely to utilize CBD goods for health issues like pain, mental depression, and anxiety, as compared to men.