Cannabinoids have been reported to possess a kind of synergism with other chemicals, dubbed the Entourage Effect. This may provide specific and incredible opportunities for the health sector based on interactions among the myriad of chemicals found in the cannabis plant.
The European Commission (EC) paused the processing of novel food applications for CBD and other cannabinoids in 2019. However, pending concerns over CBD’s potential narcotic status. With clarification of its non-drug status by the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in December 2020, it has since reopened the door of testing for CBD products.
Due to the events of Brexit, the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) is operating its assessment process for novel food applications, though this still retains most of the EU’s original conduct. For now, all CBD products sold legally in the UK before February 13th, 2020, with validated applications submitted to the FSA before March 31st, 2021, can continue to be legally sold until authorization is determined.
Still, while the transition from self-regulation to safety-based regulation has proven to be a challenge, as far as novel food authorization goes, most industry experts uphold that the tighter standards will boost growth through elevated consumer and industry confidence.
The majority of the SMEs that have been able to exploit the huge and rapid-growing consumer demand for CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoid products is insanely massive. Right now, the scientific and financial resources necessary to make successful novel food applications are either in the initial process are non-existent.
However, a consortium approach is quickly emerging as the preferred tactic for most companies looking to develop, collaborate on, or otherwise contribute to the rise of the CBD industry.
