[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S275-S276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petition or memorial was laid before the Senate and was 
referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-178. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     New Jersey urging the United States Congress and the 
     President of the United States to enact legislation 
     establishing a safe daily level of cannabidiol consumption; 
     to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                       Senate Resolution No. 163

       Whereas, Cannabidiol is a chemical that is prevalent in 
     [marijuana and hemp] products derived from the cannabis 
     plant; and
       Whereas, [Cannabidiol] Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 
     which is also prevalent in products derived from the cannabis 
     plant, the consumption of cannabidiol does not produce 
     euphoric effects or cause an individual

[[Page S276]]

     to feel ``high'' [in contrast to the chemical 
     tetrahydrocannabidol (THC)]; and
       Whereas, The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
     states that products such as food additives and dietary 
     supplements that contain cannabidiol are illegal under 
     federal law; and
       Whereas, Within the past three years, more than 1,500 
     cannabidiol products have come to the market without a clear 
     approach for regulation or any plan from the FDA to balance 
     consumer access and protect consumer health; and
       Whereas, The lack of clear policy towards cannabidiol from 
     the FDA and the patchwork regulation of the substance by the 
     states [create] has created a complicated legal framework 
     [for] in which cannabidiol companies [for their operations] 
     are attempting to operate; and
       Whereas, The lack of clear regulatory guidance includes 
     uncertainty as to the level of cannabidiol content that is 
     safe and appropriate for human consumption. This uncertainty 
     can present a risk to the public health, as consumers have 
     access to a wide variety of cannabidiol products but no clear 
     direction as to what amount is safe to consume in a single 
     sitting or over the course of time; and
       Whereas, As a result of this uncertain legal framework, it 
     has become difficult for cannabidiol companies to participate 
     in interstate commerce [for national cannabidiol companies is 
     difficult] because banks, insurance companies, and merchant 
     service companies are uneasy about providing services to 
     cannabidiol companies, which may be at [the] risk of 
     [involvement from] investigation or adverse enforcement 
     actions by the FDA; and
       Whereas, By enacting legislation that specifies a safe 
     daily level of cannabidiol consumption, the President and 
     Congress of the United States would [be able to] help allow 
     individuals to experience the [medical] holistic and 
     therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol while ensuring consumer 
     safety and [also generate] facilitate the participation of 
     cannabicliol companies in interstate commerce, thereby 
     generating increased economic activity [from all interstate 
     commerce for cannabidiol companies] nationwide, now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
       1. This House respectfully urges the President and Congress 
     of the United States to [establish] enact legislation 
     establishing a safe daily consumption level [of] for 
     cannabidiol [consumption].
       2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary 
     of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate 
     to the President and Vice President of the United States, the 
     Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, 
     the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives, and each member of the United States 
     Congress elected from this State.

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