Hemp/Cannabis
A tall Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that has a tough fiber and is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica).
Cannabis products considered “hemp” are defined as cannabis plants containing less than 0.3% THC by dried weight. Cannabis products considered “marijuana” are defined as cannabis plants with more than 0.3% THC by dried weight.
Medical cannabis products currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include, “one cannabis-derived drug product: Epidiolex (cannabidiol), and three synthetic cannabis-related drug products: Marinol (dronabinol), Syndros (dronabinol), and Cesamet (nabilone).” These products are regulated for different uses and require a prescription. Further research must be conducted to validate other cannabis related products for FDA-regulated use as a treatment option. Although not regulated by the FDA, medical cannabis is also legal in many states with varying conditions for THC content.
Medical cannabis products are becoming more and more common in the 21st century. Most common in controlling chronic pain, cannabis allows for a safer and non-addictive alternative to pain management. Along with pain management, cannabis products can be utilized as muscle relaxants, managing nausea and weight loss, and treatment for glaucoma. MicroBio Consulting is working to understand the various and evolving uses for cannabis products in order to promote the overall health of patients.
As of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD and Hemp products are either legal or conditionally legal in all 50 states, so these plants are commonly grown in dispensaries across the U.S. ensuring to follow state laws and local guidelines. Regarding medical marijuana, different states have different restrictions on THC content, so these products are not as easily grown and distributed.
Find more information on state to state regulations here: https://thecannabisindustry.org/ncia-news-resources/state-by-state-policies
Due to the different regulations for “hemp” and “marijuana” products, it is important to ensure manufacturers and dispensaries meet the required tests to be considered “hemp” if the goal is to sell the product across the U.S. Our team is staying up to date with guidelines from the FDA along with local and state laws in order to help future clients in this industry. With such an evolving field, it is important to have a knowledgeable consultant to guide you in the testing and validation processes.