Cannabis and the Food Industry

 

 

Cannabis is fast integrating with the food industry. This may not come as a surprise for those of us familiar with hash brownies that have existed for as long as we can remember. Companies are making confectionery and edibles that include cannabis, or its legal blockbuster compound, cannabidiol (CBD). Individuals and businesses are including cannabis in their cuisine served at restaurants, homes, private gatherings, as well as cooking and catering events. Since cannabis in its various forms, such as leaf, flower, extract or concentrate is easily soluble in butters, alcohol and oil, it can easily integrate with almost any cuisine, be it as a snack, starter, main course dish or desert, thus opening a whole new world for chefs interested in cannabis and food. 

 

The current challenge with cannabis cooking is to get the amount of cannabis to be added to food preparation right. Cannabis as an edible works differently from cannabis in its smokable form. Cannabis as an edible is broken down by the liver and hence takes a much longer time to enter the blood stream, taking more than hour for one to feel its effects whereas smoked cannabis enters the brain much faster with the individual feeling its effects in a matter of minutes. These two differing processes of cannabis assimilation by the human body essentially means that cannabis ingestion as an edible often results in people ingesting much higher quantities of the plant than they normally would smoke because the time delay makes the individual think that the plant is not taking effect. The higher quantities ingested then make the individual feel out of control and sometimes uncomfortable when the effects of the plant kick in.

This means that, according to regulatory bodies like the FDA, cannabis added to food, especially edibles and confectionery, requires that the packaging be child proof and tamper proof. It should also specify the exact quantities of various cannabis compounds in the food, especially the concentration of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol(THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis, along the lines of the amount of alcohol content displayed on packaging for food and drink containing alcohol. Strictly speaking, regulating THC like alcohol is incorrect. THC has a much better safety profile compared to alcohol when it comes to the human body. It may cause temporary impairment but does no permanent damage unlike alcohol. So the comparison of the two is not ideal, and the usage of alcohol like standards for cannabis in food needs rethinking from the FDA, the primary regulatory body controlling the policies on the use of cannabis in food. The fears among regulatory bodies in the US primarily arise from the concern that some varieties of cannabis found in the US have very high potency of THC. Hybrid varieties of cannabis with around 28% are not unknown. The average potency in most parts of the world where natural cannabis grows being in the range of 5% to 8% THC. Hashish or cannabis concentrates are known to have THC concentrations of up to 60%. Hashish has been consumed throughout history by humans with no adverse effects. There are a number of international bodies looking to define standards for cannabis which can be used to arrive at accurate standardized measurements of the level of potency of different varieties of the plant, as well in different forms of cannabis.

Canada, which legalized cannabis for recreational purposes in October 2017, initially legalized only cannabis flower and concentrates showing its hesitancy to integrate cannabis with food. It delayed the legalization of cannabis in the form of edibles and beverages till 2020 calling it Cannabis 2.0. Since Cannabis 2.0 was okayed in Canada in 2020, sales of edibles have crossed Canadian $100 million. Places like the Netherlands have had edible cannabis around for some time now. In India, historically cannabis based edibles were around for thousands of years, both in the form of sweets and beverages. Nobody asked the seller of cannabis based drinks, sweets and crushed leaf balls what the potency of cannabis in it was. The consumer consumed it and then found out. No fatality was ever reported as a result of this. As per evidence from witnesses in the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission report of 1893-94, the following instances of cannabis and its relation to food with regard to Indian culture can be found:

• 'There is, however, a very considerable consumption of sweetmeats made with ganja or bhang, or even sometimes charas. They are all prepared in very much the same way, their various names and properties depending on the proportion of the hemp drugs and other ingredients that they contain. Their basis is sugar and milk, and the essence of the hemp drug is extracted by the aid of heat, and compounded with them with other drugs and spices or perfumes. The most common of them is majum, and the preparation is known by that name from one end of India to the other. It is largely used at certain Hindu feasts. It is evidently credited with aphrodisiacal qualities. Many people consume it habitually, either throughout the year or in the cold season, abandoning it in the hot in favour of the liquid preparations. The names of other similar preparations are yakuti (in general use from the Deccan northwards), purnathi (Madras), gulkhand (Bombay), shrikhand (Bombay), halwa (in general use), and many others. These preparations are all considered to be aphrodisiacal, some to such a degree that they should perhaps be regarded as medicinal forms rather than articles of ordinary consumption' -  Ch.8 Extent Of Use And The Manner And Forms In Which The Hemp Drugs Are Consumed, Vol.1, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, https://digital.nls.uk/74464868

• 'Hemp is sometimes compounded into cakes made of gram flour. It is used as a seasoning in the cooking of various dishes, those composed of meat as well as others. More than one witness in more than one province mentions this use at parties to make fun of the guests. A witness from the Punjab describes how powdered bhang is sometimes wrapped in dhatura leaves, the whole enclosed in a covering of clay and baked. It is not clear whether the cooked substance is eaten or drunk. It might be either. Witnesses, speaking of the northern part of the Bombay Presidency, state that gram and dates are sometimes charged with hemp. And in Calcutta the drug is occasionally used to flavour ice-cream. '-  Ch.8 Extent Of Use And The Manner And Forms In Which The Hemp Drugs Are Consumed, Vol.1, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, https://digital.nls.uk/74464868

In spite of all the regulatory complications, cannabis is growing in popularity as an ingredient in the food industry because of its appetite increasing abilities, nourishment value, its ability to enhance the sense of taste and smell and its medicinal effects on the body and mind. Regulatory bodies like the FDA continue to keep a close watch on the usage of cannabis in the food industry even as the plant's synergistic growth with the food industry starts to take off. A recent ruling by the European court against France's ban on cannabidiol (CBD) opens up the use of this cannabis compound in the novel food industry. The wellness industry as well as the beverages industry are also exploring how cannabis can be integrated with their products. Cannabis events featuring food infused with cannabis, cannabis based tourism, cannabis social consumption areas and cannabis accessories grow in popularity along with cannabis and the food industry. Cannabis for animal feed is one of the areas increasingly growing in popularity besides cannabis based food for humans. Cannabis cultivation has been shown to have vast benefits for bird and bee populations in terms of providing nutrition for them, thus helping to sustain their rapidly deleting populations and enhancing their cross-pollinating abilities.

 

The US Farm Bill of 2018 legalizing cultivation of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC provides a tremendous boost for cannabis and its use in the food industry. Traditional cultivators of low THC cannabis such France and China can look to leverage cannabis for food, beverages and wellness besides their traditional uses of cannabis for industrial purposes, as can every single nation in the world. With nutrition and hunger alleviation being one of the key UN Sustainable Development Goals, cannabis offers a way for most of the world's nations to tackle the problems of hunger and poverty that they face, especially amongst their poorest populations. Cannabis as a crop that requires much less water than most other food crops, including the major food crops - rice, wheat and corn, offers a sustainable way for food and nutrition in a world increasingly facing the pressures of climate change induced food stress.

Related articles

The following set of articles related to the subject are taken from various media. Words in italics are the thoughts of yours truly at the time of reading the article.

 

 

Report Highlights:

The Canadian hemp sector continues to be driven by the food and nutrition markets, despite the 2018 regulatory changes that legalized recreational cannabis, and opened the potential for new markets for hemp-extracted cannabinoids. The production and distribution of cannabinoids and cannabinoid containing-products (including CBD) remain highly regulated, although Health Canada is considering a possible regulatory framework for cannabis health products (such as CBD-containing products) for
humans and animals.

https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Update+on+Industrial+Hemp+Production+Trade+and+Regulation_Ottawa_Canada_CA2023-0034.pdf

 

 

Summary

Chia seeds are lower in calories but higher in carbs, fiber, and calcium. Meanwhile, hemp seeds contain more fat, protein, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Both are rich in polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hemp-seeds-vs-chia-seeds

 

 

'On Wednesday, October 6, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 45 (AB-45) that "prohibit[s] restrictions on the sale of dietary supplements, food, beverages, cosmetics, or pet food that include industrial hemp or cannabinoids, extracts, or derivatives from industrial hemp based solely on the inclusion of those substances." AB-45 is highly significant amongst the cannabis regulatory landscape because it constitutes a departure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) guidance that CBD cannot be introduced to food products or dietary supplements sold in interstate commerce.'

https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/cannabis-hemp/1125042/california-splits-from-the-fda-cbd-now-permitted-in-food-beverages-and-more

 

'Now, the experienced cannabis connoisseurs are paying top dollar for live resin and hash-made edibles.

“The idea is to get the more true-to-flower experience,” Mograbi said.'

https://mjbizdaily.com/marijuana-edibles-makers-revamp-product-labels-to-attract-newer-consumers/


'Hemp cake, a by-product of cold pressing oil from hemp seeds, is a nutritious ingredient that could be used for the production of new or reformulated meat products. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of inclusion of 0.9%, 2.6%, 4.2%, and 7.4% (w/w) hemp cake (Cannabis sativa L.) on the physicochemical and textural properties, oxidation, and sensory acceptance of cooked and vacuum-packed meatballs during refrigerated storage. The addition of 7.4% hemp cake enhanced the amount of dry matter and reduced the content of water. Lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values reduced significantly with higher levels of hemp supplementation. Regardless of the amount of hemp additive, pH, color parameters did not differ significantly during the 12 days of storage. Hemp cake significantly decreased protein and lipid oxidation: the inhibitory effect of adding 7.4% hemp cake on protein carbonyl group formation and TBARS values reached 11.16% and 36.5%, respectively, after 10 days of storage. Sensory analysis revealed that meatballs prepared with 0.9% and 2.6% hemp cake gained higher overall scores. The results indicate that hemp cake, a material considered mainly as waste, may be destined for food purposes and be an alternative ingredient for the production of sustainable meat products'

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/17/5284


'Sure you’ve seen cannabis gummies, chocolate bars, and even wine — but how about cannabis ice cream?

Boston-based ice cream brand Emack & Bolio’s has partnered with the multi-state cannabis operator MariMed to do just that. The two companies are announcing today plans to collaborate on a new lineup of cannabis-infused vegan and dairy ice cream in “outrageous flavors.”'

https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyprice/2021/08/05/exclusive-cannabis-ice-cream-is-coming/


'While hemp hearts represent the hemp foods market’s past, the sector has been thrust toward a fast-approaching future where food manufacturers are experimenting with hemp grain and its byproducts as ingredients for plant-based foods. Be it burgers, tortilla chips, hot dogs, or breakfast sausages, the surface has barely been scratched for all the plant-based products which may be supplemented by hemp protein.'

https://newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-insights/competition-rising-over-shelf-space-for-hemp-foods/

 

'CBD is a thriving market set to be worth over £600m in the UK and increasingly popular in Europe, North America and the rest of the world.

In February, last year, the UK Food Standards Agency’s scientific advisors raised concerns about the safety of CBD.

It said it wanted all companies looking to sell CBD in the UK to submit applications through its Novel Food process by March 31, this year – which effectively meant applications had to be submitted by the middle of February to allow for the initial Administrative check.'

https://businesscann.com/deadline-for-the-publication-of-the-uk-cbd-novel-food-list-slips-once-more/


'Fruit flavors dominate sales of THC-infused cannabis edibles, accounting for more than three-quarters of all edibles sales in five Western states: California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Those sales were driven mostly by gummies, which account for more than 83% of the market share for the category.

The dominance of fruit-based products provides a tough hill to climb for manufacturers introducing non-fruit flavors.

But an MJBizDaily analysis of adult-use retail data provided by Seattle-based analytics company Headset shows opportunities for retailers and manufacturers with unique or exotic fruit flavors that have low competition and higher-than-average sales.'

https://mjbizdaily.com/fruit-flavors-dominate-sales-of-adult-use-thc-infused-edibles/


'Ben & Jerry’s made a bold new flavor announcement in May 2019: CBD ice cream was coming ... “as soon as it’s legalized at the federal level.”

Two years later, the “groovy” treat still isn’t available to the public, as snack makers continue to wait for a green light from U.S. officials for cannabis-infused foods. But as demand for edibles continues to rise and the market tops the billion-dollar mark, Big Food is getting ready...'

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-31/ben-jerry-s-with-cbd-not-this-memorial-day-cannabis-weekly


'Cannabis-infused butter (cannabutter) is one of the simplest and most common ways to make infused cannabis edibles. However, making infused butter can be a little bit tricky. In order to activate its psychoactive potential, the flower must be heated slowly at a low temperature. This recipe will first guide you through this process–called decarboxylation–before walking you through a step-by-step guide to infusing butter.'

https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/recipe-how-to-make-basic-cannabutter


'Within the growing market for plant-based proteins, hemp is one of the fastest growing segments. Though the plant-based protein market has historically been dominated by pea and soy protein (which together make up more than 90% of the market), hemp protein’s amino acid and mineral profiles have been popular with customers.

What would really move the needle in the hemp grain market, however, is entrance into animal feed. Allowing hemp into animal feed would significantly reduce risks to farmers and open an entirely new product category of hemp-fed products in one stroke. Although federal regulations currently bar hemp animal feed from being used for animals destined for human consumption, headway is being made in that area.'

https://newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-insights/can-grain-fiber-acreage-eclipse-cbds-this-year/


'Utilizing the Consumer Expenditure Interview Survey from 2005 to 2019, I study spending on food and alcohol following recreational marijuana law (RML). Exploiting differences in the timing of the passage of RMLs and employing two-way fixed-effects methods, I find that households located in states adopting these laws increase their quarterly spending on food, which is driven mainly by spending on food consumed away from home. Legalization of recreational marijuana also leads to increased quarterly spending on alcohol. These findings suggest a complementarity between food, alcohol, and marijuana.'

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hec.4266


'In recent years, a number of major food and beverage companies – including Unilever’s Ben & Jerry’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Hershey Co., and General Mills – have expressed interest in working with CBD, but still have not yet stepped into the fold.

However, some major food and beverage players are starting to get into the cannabis market in some shape or form. Here is a look at what six of these prominent firms are doing in the space right now:'

https://www.powderbulksolids.com/food-beverage/6-major-food-bev-players-enter-cannabis-market


 'Key Findings:
- Cannabinoids: Total U.S. consumer spending on CBD was estimated to have reached $3.83 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $6.26 billion by 2025, a 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.16%.
- Grain: The U.S. is the largest consumer of hempseed used primarily for human consumption; retail sales for hemp food products are estimated to have reached $67.1 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $144.1 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 16.5%.
- Fiber: With more than 25,000 potential uses, hemp fiber is considered one of the world’s most versatile crops; the wholesale market for processed hemp fiber reached $47.1 million dollars in 2020 and is estimated to reach $82.2 million by 2025, a CAGR of 10.53%.'

https://info.newfrontierdata.com/u.s.-hemp-market-landscape

'In the restaurant world, food is often little more than a vehicle for selling booze, which tends to have far greater margins and thus earn the place more money. At Lowell Cafe, a new restaurant that allows you to smoke weed at your table, it appears that cannabis is taking that mantle.'

https://www.insidehook.com/article/food-drink-los-angeles/the-5-best-restaurants-that-opened-in-la-this-october

'Hemp is an extraordinary crop, with enormous social and economic value, since it can be used to produce food, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paper, paint, biofuel, and animal feed, as well as lighting oil. Various parts of the hemp plant represent a valuable source of food and ingredients for nutritional supplements. While hemp inflorescence is rich in nonpsychoactive, yet biologically active cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), which exerts potent anxiolytic, spasmolytic, as well as anticonvulsant effects, hempseed has a pleasant nutty taste and represents a valuable source of essential amino acids and fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and fibers. In addition, hempseed oil is a source of healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids, and hemp sprouts are rich in antioxidants. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive outlook from a multidisciplinary perspective on the scientific evidence supporting hemp beneficial properties when consumed as food or supplement. Marketing of hemp-derived products is subjected to diversified and complex regulations worldwide for several reasons, including the fact that CBD is also the active principal of pharmaceutical agents and that regulatory bodies in some cases ban Cannabis inflorescence regardless of its THC content. Some key regulatory aspects of such a complex scenario are also analyzed and discussed in this review article.'

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2020.0001

'The growth of the CBD market in Europe is attributed to the increasing acceptance of CBD-infused goods in industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and medical applications… The demand for CBD in Europe continues to grow rapidly as consumers embrace this cannabinoid for medical and general wellness, creating opportunities for large food and beverage brands and health and beauty brands… In Europe, CBD is seeing monumental demand. In Europe alone, according to the Brightfield Company, the business is expected to rise by 400 per cent over the next four years.'

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-cbd-industry-projected-to-accelerate-to-23-6-billion-over-the-next-five-years-301179412.html


'The ability of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) inflorescence extract to counteract lipid oxidation was studied in stripped linseed oil. The ethanolic extract was characterized in terms of terpenes (6.00 mg/mL), cannabidiol (4.99% w/w), phenolic compounds (1.80 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL), antiradical, and metal ion-chelating activities (50% effective concentration (EC50) of 2.47 mg/mL and 0.39 mg/mL, respectively). The stripped linseed oil, used as control (CO), was mixed with hemp extract (HO) or a-tocopherol (EO) at a ratio of 0.6% (w/w) and stored for 7 days in darkness at 40 °C. Hemp extract reduced the oxidation and lipolysis processes. At the end of the storage, HO showed a significantly higher level of a-linolenic acid (ALA; 26.64 g/100 g), lower peroxide value (PV) (21.19 meq O2/kg oil), and lower hexanal content (7.67 mmol/kg oil) than those found in the control. In contrast, EO showed a marked lipolysis (the free fatty acids increased by 42.57%) and a noticeable oxidation, since the ALA content decreased by 2.10% and a PV of 50 meq O2/kg oil was observed. This study demonstrates that hemp inflorescences can be used as a source of natural antioxidants in vegetable oils and lipid products to retard their oxidation, especially those characterized by a high degree of unsaturation.'

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/9/11/1131


'The market for CBD edibles in the United Kingdom is less than six months away from a radical upheaval, but Gavin Ogilvie isn’t worried.

Starting April 1, no CBD product on the U.K. market will be allowed to stay there without validation by food-safety authorities, and Ogilvie’s company – the Manchester-based cannabinoid supplier and white labeler Always Pure Organics – is one of hundreds of companies that are on the hook to get it.'

https://hempindustrydaily.com/uks-cbd-market-scrambles-to-prepare-for-march-novel-food-deadline/


'Tossel said during a panel on the future of CBD in grocery retail that the European Commission’s preliminary CBD position isn’t shared by the U.K.’s Home Office, a government department that oversees drug policy and law enforcement.

The U.K. said in February that CBD products already on the market would need to have a validated novel food application in hand in order to remain on the shelves beyond March 31, 2021.

“We will still regard CBD extracts as novel foods, and they will require (application) processing,” Tossel said. “The application will have to prove there are no other narcotics in there.”'

https://hempindustrydaily.com/uk-food-regulators-reject-cbd-as-narcotic-stand-by-novel-food-deadline/


'The Commission then issued a preliminary ruling in July that CBD was not a food ingredient after all but rather a narcotic when extracted from the “flowering or fruiting tops” of hemp plants.

Brussels is expected to make a final decision in the fall.

The top of the plant is where the most CBD-rich parts are found. If Brussels moves to officially restrict the use of the top part, that would deal a blow to hemp farmers’ “whole plant” business model.'

https://www.politico.eu/article/hemp-farmers-brace-for-eu-decision-that-could-send-sector-up-in-smoke/


'In the present work, Cannabis sativa L. cv Futura 75 inflorescences, cultivated in the Abruzzo territory, were characterized for their volatile fraction through SPME-GC-MS. In addition, the essential oil extracted from these inflorescences was investigated for the antioxidant potentialities and for the terpenic profile. The antibacterial activity of hemp essential oil (HEO) against some pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms isolated from food was also evaluated by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The results showed significant antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 63.38±0.08mg TE/g HEO; FRAP: 438.52±6.92mg TE/g HEO) alongside good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as S. aureus and L. monocytogenes (MIC 1.25-5µL/mL). The results obtained suggest that hemp essential oil can inhibit or reduce bacterial growth, also exerting antioxidant activity, and therefore it can find an advantageous application in the food processing field.'

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14786419.2020.1813139?journalCode=gnpl20

'The fisheries of fresh and salt water are a resource of great importance, involving the interests and the welfare of a very large number of people. That they are now seriously threatened by the chemicals entering our waters can no longer be doubted. If we could divert to constructive research even a small fraction of the money spent each year on the development of even more toxic sprays, we could find ways to use less dangerous materials and to keep poisons out of our waterways. When will the public become sufficiently aware of the facts to demand such action? - Silent Spring, Rachel Carson, 1962


'This system, however - deliberately poisoning our food, then policing the result - is too reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's White Knight who thought of 'a plan to dye one's whiskers green, and always use so large a fan that they could not be seen.' The ultimate answer is to use less toxic chemicals so that the public hazard from their misuse is greatly reduced.' - Silent Spring, Rachel Carson, 1962


'In 1937, weed was placed under the Harrison Narcotics Act. Narcotics authorities claim it is a habit-forming drug, that its use is injurious to mind and body, and that it causes the people who use it to commit crimes. Here are the facts: Weed is positively not habit forming. You can smoke weed for years and you will experience no discomfort if your supply is cut off. I have seen tea heads in jail and none of them showed withdrawal symptoms. I have smoked weed myself off and on for fifteen years, and never missed it when I ran out. There is less habit to weed than there is to tobacco. Weed does not harm the general health. In fact. most users claim it gives you an appetite and acts as a tonic to the system. I do not know of any other agent that gives as definite a boot to the appetite. I can smoke a stick of tea and enjoy a glass of California sherry and a hash house meal.' - Junky, William S Burroughs, 1977, originally published in 1953


'I once kicked a junk habit with weed. The second day off junk I sat down and ate a full meal. Ordinarily, I can't eat for eight days after kicking a habit.' - Junky, William S Burroughs, 1977, originally published in 1953


'In recent months, cannabis-infused edibles have commanded one-third of wholesale medical cannabis sales in Puerto Rico – twice the average across a sampling of U.S. markets – and the category has room for more entrants.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/edibles-puerto-rico-wholesale-medical-marijuana-sales/


'Cannabidiol (CBD) is an illegal drug with no redeeming value. It is also a useful prescription medicine for epilepsy, with considerable potential for treating numerous other conditions. And it is a natural dietary supplement or ‘nutraceutical’ with countless evangelists in the health and wellness community. Although contradictory, all three statements are true from different perspectives, and clinical researchers are frustrated.'
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02524-5


'With 332% growth year-on-year and $52 million in sales, cannabidiol (CBD) has taken the top spot as the best-selling herbal supplement in the natural channel, according to the 2018 HerbalGram Herb Market Report by the American Botanical Council.'
https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2019/09/23/CBD-supplement-sales-rocket-to-take-top-spot-in-the-US-natural-channel


'While the daily or near-daily use of cannabis among high-school students in Colorado has declined, the prevalence of occasional users, that is, those who report having used cannabis one or two times in the past month, has increased since legalization. Nevertheless, 4.7 per cent of high-school students reported using cannabis daily or nearly daily (20 or more times in the past 30 days) in 2017. Moreover, although the share of high-school students smoking cannabis declined from 92 per cent in 2015 to 84 per cent in 2017, there was an increase in the share of those who reported using edibles with high THC content (from 28 per cent in 2015 to 36 per cent in 2017) or “dabbing” cannabis extracts and concentrates (from 28 per cent in 2015 to 34 per cent in 2017) in the past month.' - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2020, https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/field/WDR20_BOOKLET_4.pdf


'According to the new cannabis regulations, the federal Government of Canada is responsible for setting the requirements for those who grow and produce cannabis, including the types of cannabis products available for sale. For example, the regulations were amended in October 2019 to allow the production and sale of edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and topicals, and the sale of those products began gradually from December 2019. The provincial and territorial governments, for their part, are Responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining and enforcing systems to oversee the distribution and sale of cannabis.' - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2020, https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/field/WDR20_BOOKLET_4.pdf


'While most cannabis users had used more than one product, over three quarters of users purchased and consumed dried cannabis flower or leaf for smoking. Although the sale of edibles and extracts started only at the end of 2019, a substantial share of cannabis users reported using edible cannabis products (26 per cent), cannabis oil or vape pens (19 per cent), hashish (16 per cent) and solid cannabis concentrates (14 per cent) during the same year.' - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2020, https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/field/WDR20_BOOKLET_4.pdf


'"With hundreds of new companies rushing into the CBD space, many in the industry are looking beyond CBD towards other minor cannabinoids," New Frontier reports. "For farmers feeling the effects of CBD oversupply, minor cannabinoids can offer higher prices and less regulatory oversight."

Both the New Frontier report and several members of the hemp industry with whom we've spoken see CBN (cannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol) as the next big thing in the hemp and cannabis industries. Despite not being as popular or studied as CBD (which is new to clinical research itself), both CBN and CBG have shown potential in wellness areas such as fighting inflammation, pain, nausea and potentially even certain cancer cells.'
https://www.westword.com/marijuana/as-cbd-prices-drop-will-cbn-and-other-cannabinoids-become-more-alluring-to-hemp-farmers-11746876

• ' Infused-cannabis products represent 14% of U.S. sales as the third most-popular form of cannabis behind flower and vape, respectively (Q1-20).
•  Solid edibles (led by gummies) comprise >90% of the top-selling infused products.
•  Sales of infused products have risen in most states, reportedly after the EVALI and COVID-19 health crises discouraged consumers from vapor and combustible products.
•  Infusion advancements appeal to consumers seeking quality ingredients, precisely accurate dosing, faster onset times, and more predictably consistent experiences.
•  The 2020 U.S. market for cannabis-infused products projects to nearly $3 billion, up ~40% over 2019.'

https://newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-insights/u-s-preferences-for-cannabis-infused-products/


'The main hemp industry body in Europe has received a green light from its members to move forward with “unprecedented” studies on cannabidiol and THC as part of a joint novel food authorization application.

 An “overwhelming majority” of European Industrial Hemp Association members voted on Monday in favor of “the principles of the special contribution structure” for the group’s joint application for novel food authorization.'
https://hempindustrydaily.com/european-hemp-group-members-approve-plan-for-cbd-thc-studies/


'With time ticking down for CBD manufacturers to meet the UK’s deadline for having a validated EU novel food application in hand, two European hemp associations are pooling resources to meet the application’s requirements.

 The assistance on offer from the European Industrial Hemp Association in Germany and the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry in the UK highlights the urgency with which suppliers and processors need to move if they hope to be selling cannabidiol supplements and foodstuffs on the British market early next year.

That’s because the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) set a deadline of March 31, 2021, for industry players to gather data on their CBD products and have their novel food applications validated by EU authorities.'
https://hempindustrydaily.com/hemp-groups-pool-resources-to-ensure-path-to-cbd-market-in-europe/


'With the regulatory path forward for hemp-derived CBD in foods and supplements no clearer a year after the FDA’s May 2019 public meeting, trade association The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has filed a citizen’s petition urging the FDA to regulate CBD as a legal dietary supplement.'
https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2020/06/18/CRN-files-petition-proposing-way-forward-for-CBD-supplements-leaves-foods-beverages-to-be-dealt-with-later


'Results and conclusion: Through a detailed analysis of the available resources about the origins of C. sativa we found that its use by ancient civilizations as a source of food and textile fibers dates back over 10,000 years, while its therapeutic applications have been improved over the centuries, from the ancient East medicine of the 2nd and 1st millennium B.C. to the more recent introduction in the Western world after the 1st century A.D. In the 20th and 21th centuries, Cannabis and its derivatives have been considered as a menace and banned throughout the world, but nowadays they are still the most widely consumed illicit drugs all over the world. Its legalization in some jurisdictions has been accompanied by new lines of research to investigate its possible applications for medical and therapeutic purposes.'
https://www.eurekaselect.com/182145/article


Hemp-based foods are generating significant new interest after the passage of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill.

• Between 2018-2020, global hemp-infused foods are forecast to grow 46%, from $353 million to $479 million.
• The U.S. will lead, reaching $151 million by 2020, followed by China ($101 million) and Europe ($79 million).
• Hemp foods rely on three convergent forces: more countries permitting legal cultivation and processing of hemp, surging investment fueling product innovation, and the scale and rising consumer interest in the plant’s healthful nutrient profile.
• Key to growth in the sector is how quickly mainstream retail channels will include grocery stores’ and big-box retailers’ carrying hemp-based foods. Growth will accelerate as consumers accept and gain easy access to the products.'

https://newfrontierdata.com/marijuana-insights/global-hemp-food-sales/


'“Hemp hearts, seeds and oils are nothing new to food and body care lovers—they’re in everything from waffle mix to dried pastas,” the company wrote. “But a new interest in the potential benefits stemming from other parts of hemp plants has many brands looking to explore the booming cannabis biz.”'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/hemp-will-be-a-top-10-product-in-2019-whole-foods-predicts/


'Why it's hot: CBD is popping up in a wide variety of products including oils, lotions, soaps, and beauty goods. The newest niche is the food and beverage industry, where businesses have added it to snacks, coffee, ice cream, and cocktails. By 2020, CBD is expected to make its way into yogurts, soups, and even salad dressings, according to a report on 2019 food trends from snack-maker Kind.'
https://www.inc.com/best-industries/index.html



'The new rules require marijuana-infused food and beverage makers to comply with the state’s current food safety laws as well as the labeling and packaging laws for available cannabis products.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/oklahoma-cannabis-infused-food-rules/


'Now, the King of Jelly Beans is officially back in the bean business.

His company, Spectrum Confections, produces CBD-infused jelly beans, which come in 38 different flavors.

“Toasted marshmallow, pina colada, strawberry cheesecake… which is one of my favorites,” Klein continued. Other flavors will include cinnamon, spicy licorice, and mango.'
https://cannabisaficionado.com/cbd-jelly-beans/


This might seem a little difficult to digest for control freaks but can the plant just be left alone? Can we remove the division of the plant into two on the basis of THC content, approach it as a single plant, make the plant and products based on its compounds freely available and let it settle at the appropriate equilibrium level in society like other plants? Through trial and error people will figure out what works for them and what doesn't.

'While it's extremely rare for there to be both medicines and dietary supplement with the same ingredients, there is one recent precedent — the FDA last year approved a fish oil-based medicine. But in that case, fish oil supplements had been on retail shelves for years. CBD, in contrast, was just recently made legal.

Beyond such basic questions, CBD regulation is riddled with other dilemmas. For example, the government needs to parse what kind of CBD can be used. Hemp and its derivatives are now legal; marijuana, essentially the same plant but with psychoactive ingredients, is a controlled substance — but CBD is found in both. CBD can also be derived from a plant or synthesized in a lab, as biotechs in Israel, the U.K. and Canada are exploring.'
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/26/marijuana-fda-food-extracts-1290835


'The analysis of the amount of cannabinoids in food and food supplements represents a critical issue in the ambit of both the quality assurance and the dietary intake control of these biologically active compounds. In this ambit, a particular attention is necessary for apiary products, since they are widely consumed and they can be produced by bees starting from different floral sources, including hemp.

In the light of all the above, the aim of this study was to develop for the first time a new analytical method based on RP-HPLC with ESI-MS/MS detection for the determination of CBD and related cannabinoids in honey. A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) extraction procedure with an un-buffered method was selected and optimised as the more suitable protocol. As regards the detection, it was carried out by using a linear ion trap quadrupole (QTRAP) mass analyser, operated in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Hemp male inflorescences and pollen were analysed in parallel by means of HPLC-UV/DAD, since bees can transfer pollen into their hives and, consequently, into beehive products.'
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967319302870


So, the FDA goes ahead and approves a Cannabidiol (CBD) based drug called Epidiolex by GW Pharmaceuticals and then decides that nobody else can use Cannabidiol in their food and beverages without the FDA's consent. That is comparable to the FDA approving a curcumin based drug by a pharmaceutical company and then telling everybody that you cannot add turmeric to your cooking without the FDA's approval so everybody please stop the sale and usage of turmeric immediately until further notice.
'Last winter in what analysts called a "warning shot" to the CBD industry, the FDA released a statement saying it would police foods and beverages made with CBD. On the heels of that statement, state health departments in New York, Maine, and Ohio began cracking down on retailers that were selling unapproved cookies and beverages containing CBD.'
https://www.businessinsider.in/Regulators-just-gave-legal-hope-to-food-and-drink-makers-using-cannabis-extract-CBD/articleshow/68695336.cms


'The line includes products containing blends of milk chocolate and peanut butter, peanut brittle, and caramelized white chocolate brittle is planned for the future. Terpene, explains Segal, gives marijuana its hoppy taste. Its flavor can be complementary and is incorporated for some of her products. Using cutting edge technology that is exclusive to her brand, Segal has also developed edibles that completely separate terpenes from the cannabinoids. As a result of the process, the flavor of cannabis is absent for those who prefer not to taste the terpenes.
'https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/a-legal-hemp-dinner-pops-up-in-austin-for-sxsw/ar-BBJLwDb


“Many people are very aware that kosher means quality,” said GenCanna president Steve Bevan. “We are demystifying cannabis and calling it food.”
https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/hemp-products-now-kosher-thanks-to-kentucky-company/ar-BBKp8tz


'In November, the Fancy Food Show’s parent, the Specialty Food Association (SPA), ranked cannabis number eight of the top-10 food trends to watch in 2018.'
http://www.greenstate.com/food-travel/cannabis-ranks-among-the-top-10-fancy-food-trends-of-2018-heres-why/


'First came soy, then almonds, cashews and coconuts. Now, dairy companies are milking everything from peas and quinoa to flax, oats and hemp amid surging demand for plant-based alternative drinks.'
https://www-bloomberg-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2018-05-24/move-over-cows-dairy-companies-keen-to-milk-everything-else


'The reversal – which came after fierce industry opposition – will no doubt come as a relief to edibles companies, who feared the impact on sales from the loss of an entire product line.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/in-reversal-washington-state-permits-production-of-cannabis-gummies-hard-candies/


'Over mail a few days ago, the former staffer at the food and travel magazine Gourmet insists that is not an “edibles tasting experience” but that the focus is on “education about wellness through cannabis and the forms of consumption available.” Among the edibles showcased at her sold-out event in December were weed-infused probiotic chocolate, marshmallows and olive oil! But cannabis cannot cross state lines, she cautions.'
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-weekend/shades-of-green/article22477538.ece


'Although the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, it's not a free pass for CBD to be added to foods and beverages. That's because the FDA's regulatory position under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is that CBD can't be legally sold in conventional foods or dietary supplements.'
https://www.fooddive.com/news/what-are-fdas-next-regulatory-steps-on-cbd-and-hemp/545344/


'The Food and Drug Administration has set its first public hearing on legalizing CBD in food and drinks, to figure out how to regulate the newly legalized cannabis product. The hearing will take place on May 31.

The agency wants data on CBD’s safety in food products and feedback on how it might regulate manufacturing, marketing and labeling, according to a notice posted Tuesday in the Federal Register.'
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/02/fda-sets-first-hearing-on-legalizing-cannabis-compound-cbd.html


'As regulations from the FDA clear up, and hemp-derived CBD products are treated as dietary supplements (non-isolate-containing products), HBJ expects other mass-market retailers to enter the market, including Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Walmart, Target and Whole Foods/Amazon. The hemp-derived CBD mass-market channel is estimated to grow from humble beginnings this year, to $540 million in sales by 2022.'
https://newfrontierdata.com/marijuana-insights/confusion-and-unsubstantiated-claims-are-still-surrounding-cbd-sales/


'People in the U.S. were really interested in learning about cannabidiol (CBD) gummies in 2018, according to Google’s year-end trend report.

“CBD gummies” was the third most popular food-related Google search of the year—following unicorn cake and romaine lettuce. If not for a recent E. coli outbreak on the latter product, CBD gummies would seemingly have risen to the number two slot.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/people-searched-for-a-certain-cannabis-product-a-lot-in-2018-google-says/