Pentagon: All CBD Products are Off Limits to US Service Personnel​

“It’s completely forbidden for use by any service member in any of the services at this point of time,” said Patricia Deuster, director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.” – Original Source: Military.com

No CBD for the Forces

CBD and hemp have wonderful potential for treating many of the issues that affect members of the Armed Forces – stress, sleeplessness, fatigue, physical strain, pain and even PTSD.

However, the unclear legal status and the lack of FDA regulations are keeping it from the hands of those who serve in the US military.

Unfortunately, the decision by the Pentagon was basically inevitable.

Even though the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp federally, the current unchecked state of the CBD industry makes buying and using CBD products an uncertain – even risky – proposition.

Members of the armed forces (or any consumer for that matter) can’t be 100% confident in knowing what they are taking into their bodies when they buy a CBD product.

Because industrial hemp contains trace amounts of THC, US servicemen and women risk disciplinary action – or even face discharge if drug tests return positive.

The lack of standards for manufacturing, testing, labeling, and safe dosing of CBD and hemp derivatives is forcing the Pentagon’s action.

FDA Inaction

Once again, the FDA’s sluggish response to the CBD issue is causing problems – even as the market is exploding.

Nearly 9 months after the 2018 Farm Bill passed, the Agency has not issued a single rule, guideline or standard other than warning against making unproven medical claims.

Admittedly, it is a unprecedented and complicated issue. But they seem incapable of responding in a reasonable time frame when it comes to CBD.

For a federal agency, they have made some highly unusual moves such as holding public hearing and basically begging Congress to handle the problem. These are clear signals that they are overwhelmed at this point.

Conclusion

The folks who serve this country need and deserve every advantage to do their job. They have some of the most difficult, dangerous and stressful tasks imaginable.

It is the lack of FDA regulation – not the Pentagon – that is keeping the benefits of CBD and hemp from those who could use it the most.

It is time for the FDA to act. It’s becoming a matter of national importance.

John Astrab