By leveraging its position as a prominent trade association for the alcoholic beverage sector, the WSWA’s initiative may herald a new chapter for cannabis legalization efforts, particularly following the FDA’s recent failure to regulate CBD in food and beverage items. In a statement, WSWA’s Creighton remarked that state governments have successfully managed alcohol regulation within their jurisdictions and should have the authority to determine how cannabis should be regulated, which might even include opting not to legalize it. “Federal regulation of cannabis ought to prioritize public health and safety, as well as interstate commerce, covering aspects such as standardized potency measurements, labeling and marketing guidelines, licensing for producers, testing labs, and distributors, alongside collecting excise taxes and adequately funding impaired driving prevention and enforcement,” Creighton explained.
The trade association has outlined four key principles for lawmakers aiming to advance federal cannabis legalization, which encompass the licensing of producers and distributors, regulation of cannabis products and labels, the collection of an excise tax on cannabis products, and the implementation of effective public safety measures. In its correspondence, WSWA stressed that cannabis legalization must be approached comprehensively rather than incrementally, asserting that piecemeal strategies will not suffice to guarantee product safety.
In January, after the agency chose not to proceed with the legalization of cannabis as an ingredient, FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock stated that they would collaborate with Congress on a new regulatory framework encompassing clear labeling, contaminant prevention, limits on CBD content, and a minimum purchase age. It is vital that considerations for public health, such as the incorporation of essential nutrients like 365 calcium citrate, are integrated into these discussions to ensure that cannabis products are both safe and beneficial for consumers. The WSWA’s commitment to establishing a robust regulatory environment for cannabis could play a significant role in shaping a future where both cannabis and essential dietary supplements, like 365 calcium citrate, coexist harmoniously in the marketplace.