Articles, news and information around the cannabis sector

Was the UK FSA decision to make changes to the novel food application timeline really that unexpected?

Written by CannIntelligence | 25th March 2021

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has ruffled a few feathers by changing its criteria for allowing products to stay on the market. Instead of requiring a validated novel food submission, it now only requires...

With ingredient prices tumbling, why are CBD consumers still paying so much?

Written by CannIntelligence | 18th March 2021

A drop in the cost of bulk CBD has not yet been wholly reflected in falling CBD product prices – but are we about to witness a perfect storm for a race to the...

Will the FSA-validated novel food submission list reveal commercially sensitive information?

Written by CannIntelligence | 11th March 2021

There’s been some worry that the eventual list of brands with a novel food application validated by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) will reveal commercially sensitive information such as which brands are currently contracted...

How long will it take to see validated assessments from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)?

Written by CannIntelligence | 4th March 2021

The FSA has confirmed to CBD-Intel that it has already validated at least one application with an updated list to be published in April. This represents a significantly quicker turnaround than many anticipated, though Pureis...

Could the Biden administration bring a new approach to enforcement of CBD health claims?

Written by CannIntelligence | 26th February 2021

There is a chance that enforcement priorities could change under new appointments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by the Biden administration. Two commissioners – one of which is staying on to work as part of...

Have the rules changed for importation of CBD into the UK?

Written by CannIntelligence | 18th February 2021

The Home Office has not changed licensing requirements for importers of CBD into the UK. The minister for policing, Christopher “Kit” Malthouse, has requested an updated recommendation from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs...

Will the EFSA look to modify its approach in light of action on novel food in the UK?

Written by CannIntelligence | 12th February 2021

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has stated that it is in contact with other similar agencies such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK, but only specified that it would not treat applications that...

How seriously should producers of CBD alcohol products take the recent Portman Group ruling?

Written by CannIntelligence | 5th February 2021

The Portman Group’s first decision on a complaint regarding a CBD product has gone largely unreported but could have a very significant impact on that part of the market. The voluntary alcohol industry regulator has said...

What impact will the EC’s decision to permit the use of extracts from the whole plant in cosmetics have on the industry as a whole?

Written by CannIntelligence | 28th January 2021

The decision – which should be noted is still only preliminary, though almost certainly to be confirmed with subsequent updating of the cosmetics ingredients (CosIng) database – should allow a wider range of cosmetic products...

Is the entrance of British American Tobacco (BAT) into the CBD sector a positive or negative for the industry?

Written by CannIntelligence | 22nd January 2021

The top-line answer is that it is wholly neither. There are elements of both in any position taken on the news. BAT’s entrance into the market with its vaping product under the Vuse brand (coming in three...

Does the Canopy CO2 extraction lawsuit pose a threat to others in the industry?

Written by CannIntelligence | 15th January 2021

Canopy Growth’s quick action – filing a suit against GW Pharmaceuticals the day the patent was issued – coupled with the short time-frame for validity has left many worried that the company could go on...

What impact do Democrat victories in both of the Georgia senate seat elections have on chances for cannabis reform at the US federal level?

Written by CannIntelligence | 8th January 2021

President elect Joe Biden still looks to be somewhat reluctant to too closely embrace cannabis reform as an issue. But effective control of the senate through victories by Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in special...

Do CBD firms expect much of a January uptick in sales?

Written by CannIntelligence | 18th December 2020

It seems many of the firms CBD-Intel has talked to see a similar story for January sales, focused on resolutions or upticks in health and wellness – as was predicted for the holidays sales period...

How far-reaching an impact could the CJEU Kanavape decision have?

Written by CannIntelligence | 11th December 2020

The Court of Justice of the European Union’s (CJEU) decision in the Kanavape case will have a tremendous impact on the CBD industry in the European Union (EU). However, the breadth of its impact is not yet...

What does the European Commissions (EC)’s change in opinion on CBD as a narcotic mean?

Written by CannIntelligence | 4th December 2020

The announcement is a full reversal from the EC on a position that many found surprising in the first place. It marks a stellar period for the regulation of CBD and other cannabinoids with major...

What impact will Black Friday sales have on the CBD sector?

Written by CannIntelligence | 27th November 2020

Overall it seems the industry – particularly in Europe – is not expecting much from Black Friday sales. European companies appear to consider CBD products more as health products that are requirement purchases throughout the year as opposed to lifestyle products...

How important is the CJEU decision on the Kanavape case?

Written by CannIntelligence | 20th November 2020

How important is the CJEU decision on the Kanavape case? The judgement in favour of CBD from the Courts of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will almost certainly have significant long-term consequences for the CBD...

Where are we most likely to see changes to medical and recreational cannabis regimes?

Written by CannIntelligence | 13th November 2020

Mexico is overall the number one country to watch, rated highly likely to change regulations on both medical and recreational cannabis in the near...

What can be referenced from cannabis victories in the US general election?

Written by JuditBach | 6th November 2020

It looks like a clean sweep for pro-cannabis referendums in US states. But much work will still need to be done with state legislatures having to design and pass regulatory structures for each...

What impact could the vote to support a 0.3% THC limit in hemp varieties have on the CBD market in the short-term?

Written by CannIntelligence | 30th October 2020

In short – not a lot in the short-term. The vote in favour of a 0.3% THC limit by the European Parliament (EP) is only the first step in a long process towards actually putting such a...

What impact could a decision in the recent Dusseldorf lawsuit have on the German CBD sector?

Written by CannIntelligence | 23rd October 2020

The company of the president of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) has challenged a ban on the sale of all foods containing...

What impact will the US elections have on CBD and cannabis?

Written by CannIntelligence | 16th October 2020

It's important to remember that all aspects of cannabis and CBD – even federal decriminalisation or legalisation...

Do companies need toxicological study data included in UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) novel food applications for them to be validated?

Written by CannIntelligence | 9th October 2020

There are still quite a few unanswered questions regarding the novel food application process under the FSA. Fortunately the requirement of having toxicological data...

Is increased uncertainty in established markets driving interest in secondary markets such as Asia?

Written by CannIntelligence | 2nd October 2020

There has been increased interest in secondary markets that has resulted in some positive...

What impact does the delay in voting on the MORE Act have on the CBD industry?

Written by CannIntelligence | 25th September 2020

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act was, of course, always more about cannabis than hemp-derived CBD specifically. And, as previously stated, its chances of passing were slim to...

Why do bills related to cannabinoids keep getting pushed through the US Congress?

Written by CannIntelligence | 21st September 2020

There does not seem to be much point in continuing to try to force through bills – particularly given that the Republican-controlled senate and presidency opposes any measures and the limited timeframe before the end of the...

Is the argument against classing CBD as a narcotic quite as clear-cut as they say?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 11th September 2020

What should the industry make of the recent paper from 11 industry associations putting forward a unified position on the issues surrounding the potential for CBD to be considered a narcotic? ...

What impact would the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) rules have on the CBD industry if they were enacted in their current form?

Written by CannIntelligence | 4th September 2020

First it's important to note that the DEA proposals are only in a draft form and are open to comment until 20th October. They have already received a large number of comments, the majority of...

How significant is Charlotte’s Web being denied a trademark?

Written by CannIntelligence | 27th August 2020

The immediate impact of the decision is a reduction in certainty for CBD firms - not something they need at a time of significantly heightened uncertainty in other...

What can be made of Canopy’s increased interest in functional ingredients?

Written by CannIntelligence | 21st August 2020

Canopy, the Canadian cannabinoid company, has continued to commit heavily to BioSteel, a sports nutrition company in which Canopy now owns the majority share....

Why does the European Commission (EC) think CBD may be a narcotic?

Written by CannIntelligence | 14th August 2020

The opinion (which is not yet set by the EC but appears to be the way the organisation is thinking) is based on a literal reading of the 1961 UN Narcotics...

What can we expect from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposals to regulate CBD under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?

Written by CannIntelligence | 7th August 2020

Authorities have been very tight lipped about the details of the proposed regulations and little is known beyond the title of the document....

Now that Swiss authorities have returned taxes, what is the industry planning to do?

Written by CannIntelligence | 31st July 2020

Current indications are that the EC is leaning heavily towards the idea that CBD does indeed count as a narcotic under the 1961 Un...

What are CBD-Intel’s thoughts on the EC’s position regarding CBD potentially being a narcotic?

Written by CannIntelligence | 24th July 2020

Current indications are that the EC is leaning heavily towards the idea that CBD does indeed count as a narcotic under the 1961 Un...

What implications can be drawn from the recent decision on Indiana’s smokable hemp ban?

Written by CannIntelligence | 17th July 2020

Although opponents of the ban had their positive result overthrown by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the decision is not as bad as a headline might...

Now that novel food applications in Europe are delayed, what does enforcement look like?

Written by CannIntelligence | 10th July 2020

Enforcement activity against food, drink and dietary supplement products placed on the market containing CBD continues despite the inability of companies to proceed with novel food applications due to the EC's questions over whether CBD constitutes...

How is the novel food status of CBD progressing in Europe?

Written by CannIntelligence | 3rd July 2020

Several major developments have all happened at the same time for novel foods. Perhaps most importantly, one of the European Commission's departments - the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety - has said it is holding...

Are CBD companies particularly vulnerable to advertising issues, and if so, why?

Written by CannIntelligence | 26th June 2020

CBD companies are in a fairly unique place in that they cannot use their primary function – health and wellness – to advertise their brands. And this is not without reason – as shown by...

Could subscription services boost CBD sales during times of restricted offline retail and social distancing?

Written by CannIntelligence | 18th June 2020

Subscription services do offer potential benefits to CBD companies. Those benefits come with risks, which may be managed. But the key question for anyone interested in creating such a service is whether they prefer to market...

What inference can be drawn from the Italian enforcement action against EasyJoint?

Written by CannIntelligence | 11th June 2020

The suspension of EasyJoint’s commercial activities and website pending a trial in the Italian province of Parma demonstrates that enforcement authorities intend to continue to police CBD retailers. In particular, it seems the Parma prosecutor’s office took exception...

What impact does cannabis have on bankruptcy proceedings?

Written by JuditBach | 29th May 2020

Businesses in the US should be aware of ongoing proceedings in bankruptcy courts related to companies that have been involved in cannabis. Bankruptcy filings and proceedings are unavailable to these companies as it remains an...

What implications can the industry draw from the recent Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) opinion in the ongoing French Kanavape case?

Written by JuditBach | 15th May 2020

France cannot stop the import of full spectrum CBD oils extracted from any part of the plant, including flowers, from other EU member states UNLESS it has scientifically established that CBD has psychotropic or toxic effects, and considered whether there were no alternative less-burdensome...

Did COVID-19 have much of an impact on 4/20 sales?

Written by JuditBach | 8th May 2020

The answer is not quite clear. A lot of companies reported no drop or even increases in sales compared to the previous year. There could be several reasons for this. Firstly, all cannabinoid-related products are...

Will COVID lead to delays in regulatory procedures?

Written by JuditBach | 1st May 2020

The ongoing pandemic lockdown looks to be ending in some areas with easing of measures in numerous jurisdictions. But the months lost – and continued social distancing measures which will not be entirely lifted in...

What aid is available for US CBD firms affected by coronavirus?

Written by JuditBach | 24th April 2020

CBD businesses in the US that have seen business impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and associated social measures could be eligible for a variety of state aid programmes. Extra funding for the programmes was just approved...

CBD-Intel: the blog

Written by CannIntelligence | 17th April 2020

CBD-Intel's own team of writers keep you up to date with background, thoughts and analysis on the whole world of CBD ...

How the COVID-19 crisis may impact the CBD market?

Written by JuditBach | 17th April 2020

Closures of non-essential retail will be far and away the largest factor impacting on CBD markets across the globe. It is estimated that up to 90% of offline sales in markets such as the UK...

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