Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Shares Expertise at FDA’s Special Hearing on CBD

Dr. Stuart Titus stood up before the FDA last week to share his perspective on how products containing cannabis and CBD should be regulated.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus addressed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday, May 31, during the agency’s special public hearing to gather opinions on the regulation of cannabidiol (CBD).

The first-of-its-kind FDA Public Hearing on Scientific Data and Information about Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-Derived Compounds was meant to collect information about cannabis and its non-intoxicating compound CBD. Following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that clarified hemp CBD’s legal status in December, U.S. regulators are now determining how to regulate the hemp-derived compound.

Dr. Titus was invited to share his expertise on how to best approach regulating the cannabis compound CBD because of his extensive knowledge of CBD and cannabinoids from his many years working in the cannabis space. Dr. Titus earned his PhD from Open International University, an educational organization affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO), and practiced as a physiologist for over 15 years.

During his testimony, Dr. Titus encouraged FDA officials to recognize the sound scientific research on the natural benefits and safety of hemp-derived CBD products. He explained that American diets generally do not contain an adequate amount of cannabinoids like CBD, leaving most people deficient in support for a key system in our body. Dr. Titus ended his presentation by noting that CBD’s benefits have been recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) within Patent #6,630,507 “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants” and through its inclusion in the NIH Dietary Supplement Database.

After reading through his written testimony, Dr. Titus was asked two follow-up questions by FDA officials about his perspective on the natural benefits of CBD. He explained that hemp products containing CBD naturally promote balance, health and wellness by supporting the body’s endogenous cannabinoid system, commonly referred to as the endocannabinoid system.

“Speaking publicly at this hearing was a historic step for our Company,” said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. “We feel very fortunate that our voice in the industry was heard and that we were able to educate the FDA on how CBD supports our Endogenous Cannabinoid System (ECS).”

Dr. Titus will also be providing written correspondence to the FDA to supplement his testimony.

FDA officials listened to 120 speakers during 10 hours of testimony on Friday. Other speakers included academic researchers, business and consumer advocates, lawyers, hemp growers, and doctors and patients.

Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless began the event by acknowledging the “explosion of interest in products including CBD,” while also making note of the various questions related to CBD that the FDA believes are still unanswered.

The FDA has concerns over how hemp CBD products are marketed and were looking to gather more data related to their safety. Several times during the hearing, FDA officials asked presenters follow-up questions on the side effects of CBD.

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, including hemp. Hemp-derived CBD products have surged in popularity, growing into a billion-dollar industry. Market analysts expect the hemp-derived CBD market to reach $22 billion by 2022.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. became the first company to establish a global CBD pipeline and deliver CBD cannabis brands across America. Our portfolio of companies is now known throughout the world for our innovative hemp oil and cannabis-focused products. This is largely due to our ongoing commitment to use the best farms, the best techniques, and the highest safety standards, and to provide the world’s best education on cannabis and CBD.

Amy Abernathy, the FDA principal deputy commissioner who helped organize the public hearing, expressed gratitude to all of the presenters in a tweet after the hearing’s conclusion.

The FDA has set no timeline as it moves forward with determining how to regulate CBD products. It also remains to be seen as to whether the FDA will decide to manage the regulation of the nation’s CBD industry or if it will pass the responsibility of oversight to another federal agency or Congress.

Overall, leaders in the hemp industry have indicated support for establishing clear regulatory guidelines for CBD, including good manufacturing practices, testing and labeling requirements to assure CBD content and safety, and responsible marketing standards.

Dr. Titus’ CBD Presentation Covered by Major Media Outlets

Prior to addressing the FDA on Friday, Dr. Titus was featured in several national and international news publications about his speaking engagement on cannabis and CBD, including:

Additionally, Dr. Titus and John W. Huemoeller II, CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc. investment company AXIM® Biotechnologies, Inc., wrote an op-ed article in FOX Business on the FDA’s CBD regulation debates. You can read what the two leaders have to say about the regulation of CBD via FOX Business Online.

Get Involved

The FDA is accepting public comments on CBD and how it should be regulated until July 2, 2019. You can have your own voice heard on CBD by clicking here. Hundreds of people have already weighed in.

To keep up to date with Medical Marijuana, Inc. and our family of hemp and CBD companies, visit our news feed.