[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 127 (Monday, July 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





        INTRODUCTION OF THE HEMP ACCESS AND CONSUMER SAFETY ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2023

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Hemp Access and 
Consumer Safety Act. This legislation would allow the U.S. Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol 
(CBD) like any other legal dietary ingredients, foods, and beverages.
  U.S. cannabis laws are broken, and legalizing hemp was a significant 
step forward. However, in order for the market to fully operate with 
hemp and hemp-derived CBD products with a federal consumer safety 
standard, FDA has to regulate these products. FDA has announced that it 
does not plan to use existing authorities to regulate these products.
  I am introducing this legislation in partnership with my fellow 
Oregonian, Senator Wyden, because our constituents are directly 
impacted by this gap in federal safety standards. As the public has 
grown increasingly interested in CBD, the federal government's consumer 
protection mechanisms have failed to keep up.
  The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act will finally bring CBD 
regulations up to par with the safety standards Americans should be 
able to expect for these legal products. It will also ensure packaging 
and labeling can be regulated to prevent minors accessing these 
products or any other undue confusion for consumers.
  I look forward to working with my co-leads, Senators Ron Wyden and 
Rand Paul, and my colleagues in the House and Senate to enact this 
legislation and finally guarantee common-sense safety regulations for 
hemp and hemp-derived products.

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