U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) position on hemp‑derived products. Topic HEMPS for Horse Racing and their Laws on Cannabis 05/08/25

Picture source : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/mexico-security-law-dea-agents-us

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) position on hemp‑derived products. Topic HEMPS for Horse Racing and their Laws on Cannabis

Prof Yudhistir Jugessur PhD SAY NO TO UNPROVOKED ATTACK

Prof Yudhistir Jugessur PhD SAY NO TO UNPROVOKED ATTACK

EL, CTL, BSC Hon Physics , PGCE, PGDELM, PGDEM, MBA, CM, PhD, CJM, LMC, WRA, Crt KM, PDL, LCP-F, Crt Cambridge PDC IE, Crt KM Administrasion , Crt Addressing Bullying

🧪 1. FDA Approval Status

  • No FDA‑approved cannabis or CBD products for animals currently exist. The only FDA‑approved cannabis‑derived product is Epidiolex, which is approved only for treating specific epilepsy in humans—not animals
  • Consequently, any CBD or hemp product marketed for animal use is considered unapproved.

⚠️ 2. Regulatory Classification: Unapproved Animal Drug or Food Additive

  • The FDA generally regards products added to animal food intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent disease in animals as new animal drugs. These require formal FDA approval (e.g. new animal drug application or index listing), which no CBD‑based animal products currently possess
  • CBD added to animal food is also considered a food additive. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), any additive must be explicitly approved. CBD is not recognized as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for animal food use, meaning such products can be deemed adulterated

3. Warning Letters and FDA Enforcement

  • In April 2025, the FDA issued warning letters to companies marketing CBD pellets and treats for horses and livestock, flagging their products as unapproved new animal drugs and adulterated foods in violation of federal law
  • Earlier warning letters were issued beginning in 2022, targeting multiple companies producing pet and animal-facing CBD products and citing concerns over safety, labeling, and therapeutic claims

🐴 4. Animal Industry & Veterinary Perspectives

  • Organizations like the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have issued warnings: There is insufficient scientific data to ensure the safety or nutritional value of hemp or CBD for horses or livestock, and using it could risk animal health and food product safety
  • The American Horse Council mirrors this view, emphasizing that no hemp feed ingredients have been federally approved, and cautioning that feeding inconsistent or unregulated hemp products may render feed adulterated under federal rules

5. Current FDA Research Efforts

  • As of January 2025, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from veterinarians on use of low‑THC hemp‑derived products in animals, including in horses. The goal is to identify data gaps (e.g. efficacy, safety, adverse effects) that could guide future regulatory pathways

✅ Summary Table

Category FDA Position

  • Approved for animals ❌ None
  • CBD hemp products in animal food 🛑 Considered unapproved food additives → adulterated
  • Products labeled with treatment claims (e.g. calming horses) 🛑 Considered new animal drugs → require FDA approval
  • Enforcement to date 🚨 Multiple warning letters to companies marketing CBD products for animals
  • Research / Regulatory pathway 📣 RFI issued Jan 2025 to gather vet input and data
  • Industry stance ⚠️ AAFCO/AVMA strongly advise against feeding hemp/CBD to horses until more study

🔎 As of April/May 2025:

  • No hemp or CBD product is FDA‑approved for animal use.
  • Products marketed for horses that contain CBD or hemp and make health claims are technically illegal under federal law.
  • The FDA is actively seeking feedback and more research data—which could inform future regulation—but until approval is granted, using hemp/CBD in equine feed or supplements remains legally and medically risky—and potentially adulterated.

Is HEMP listed in the DANGEROUS DRUG ACT of Mauritius ?

Indian hemp is listed in Schedule I of the Act, along with other controlled substances, making it illegal to import, possess, cultivate, or distribute

Dangerous Drugs Act Act 41 of 2000 Cannabis (also named as Gandia or Indian Hemp)
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