WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FDA has put anybody selling food and beverages adulterated with Delta-8 THC on notice. Delta-8 is an intoxicating derivative of hemp previously permitted for sale under a legal loophole. The agency has now made public a March warning letter to marketplace Puredozo; the letter informs the company that what they sell is illegally adulterated, since it contains the unsafe food additive Delta-8 THC, and demands corrective action. Penalties for violating this law range from fines to one to three years imprisonment.
Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, released the following statement:
“With the FDA’s publication of this letter, June is looking to be the worst month the intoxicating hemp industry has ever faced. The government gave it to PureDozo straight: The company’s selling food products considered adulterated under federal law and could be subject to severe penalties as a result.
“This is just half of a one-two punch against industry efforts to create and peddle dangerous products to Americans of all ages: the body blow of the House moving to advance a ban on Delta-8 THC and this hard hit to the chin from the FDA. The letter makes it crystal clear: Delta-8 is an unsafe food additive; the introduction of food adulterated with it into interstate commerce is illegal.
“This is wonderful news for the health and safety of every American, and a notable turn from previous agency warning efforts which focused on copyright infringement and kid-focused marketing. It’s not just the obvious kid-friendly packaging that’s the problem with many of these products. Now, the FDA is going after what’s inside, which should always be the goal.
“Even better news for America: The agency’s not just hitting food. By statute, this definition covers THC drinks too. All other sellers and shippers of adulterated food and drink, from DoorDash to TotalWine to 3Chi to the rogue’s gallery of companies harbored by the Hemp Roundtable: consider yourselves warned.”