Another reason consumers need affordable access to CBD and other hemp products, not more FDA-sanctioned Pharma monopolies. Action Alert!
A new study suggests that certain compounds found in hemp can block the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into human cells. This is in addition to many other clinical benefits like helping with pain and fighting antibiotic-resistant infections. Yet not only is the government not telling us anything about how to use hemp or any other natural substance to stay healthy during the pandemic, the FDA has stated flat-out that CBD, another helpful compound from hemp, is not a legal dietary supplement. The federal government isn’t going to help us, so we have to take our health into our own hands.
The researchers tested several cannabinoids found in hemp against the virus that causes COVID; the two best performing compounds were CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) and CGBA (cannabigerolic acid), both of which are found in abundance in hemp and many hemp extracts. Like CBD, these are not controlled substances like THC that causes a “high,” and the study authors confirm they have a strong safety profile. Even better, the authors found that these hemp compounds were equally effective against the variants of SARS-CoV-2. Given the ability of new variants to evade antibodies derived from COVID vaccines, these hemp extracts seem to be a useful tool during an evolving pandemic.
Unfortunately, we cannot expect the government to advise us on how to use a safe, natural product like hemp oil to maintain our health during the pandemic. For one, the feds have launched a censorship campaign against any doctors or clinics that advise patients on how to use natural medicines (like vitamin D, zinc, or quercetin, to name a few) to treat or prevent COVID, since these medicines are not FDA approved for the treatment of COVID.
Even beyond this censorship of natural treatments, the FDA is attacking CBD and hemp oil. The interplay of the different laws and regulations affecting the legality of CBD and hemp have been detailed in previous coverage. According to FDA rules, CBD cannot be a supplement; nor can it be added to food. This due to the FDA back-channel we’ve discussed previously: if the FDA decides that clinical drug investigations on a compound began before that compound was marketed as a food or supplement, then that compound cannot be sold in supplements.
Full spectrum hemp oil is also at risk. Hemp oil is an extract of the hemp plant that contains CBD and a host of other beneficial compounds, like CBDA and CGBA. The FDA has not stated that hemp oil is not legal; however, the agency did reject two “new supplement” notifications for full spectrum hemp oil products, signaling the agency also plans to block the path forward for these products.
In our view, the FDA is doing all of this to protect drug industry profits. The FDA has approved a CBD drug, Epidiolex, for the treatment of a rare form of childhood epilepsy. The drug will reportedly cost $32,500 a year. If the FDA allows consumers to access affordable CBD or hemp oil supplements, no one will buy the new drug and the FDA will anger its patrons in the drug industry. Remember: 46 percent of the FDA’s total budget is provided by Big Pharma through the user fee system, where drug makers pay the FDA to review their drugs.
We must protect access to CBD and full spectrum hemp oil.
Action Alert! Write to Congress in support of legislation that protects consumer access to CBD and hemp oil supplements. Please send your message immediately.
