Congressional Committee Directs FDA to Crack Down on Cannabis Health Claims

A key U.S. House committee has taken a firm stance against misleading health claims in the cannabis industry, approving a spending bill that calls on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase enforcement against manufacturers making unlawful therapeutic claims about cannabis products. The House Appropriations Committee, in its report attached to the Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture and FDA funding bill, cited a "proliferation" of cannabis-derived products with potentially misleading or false assertions about treating serious diseases such as COVID-19 and cancer. Lawmakers expressed concern that these products may also be contaminated with harmful substances, posing additional risks to consumers

The report specifically urges the FDA to act against companies marketing cannabis products in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). "The Committee expects FDA to continue and increase these efforts given the proliferation of non-FFDCA-compliant cannabis-containing products and the risks they pose to public health," the report states. It emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific evaluation to ensure that any cannabis-based drug marketed for disease treatment is proven to be "safe, pure, potent, and effective."

Beyond cannabis, the committee also addressed the growing inclusion of cannabinoids in food products, noting that no cannabinoid has been approved for use as a food additive. Lawmakers referenced over 110 warning letters issued by the FDA since 2018 and highlighted ongoing safety concerns. "The Committee supports FDA’s effort to develop clear, science-based guidance to ensure product safety, consumer confidence, and regulatory clarity for plant or otherwise derived cannabinoids," the report said, while urging the agency to coordinate enforcement actions with state and federal partners

In addition to enforcement directives, the committee encouraged research and development related to hemp and other plant-based fibers. The report calls on the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to advance genomics and biotechnology studies to improve hemp production and quality traits. It also requests the identification of federal programs that can support the processing of fiber crops like hemp, cotton, and flax, aiming to bolster domestic agriculture and manufacturing

The committee's report further touches on parallel developments in federal drug policy. Lawmakers encouraged the FDA and the Department of Defense to collaborate on research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and noted positive findings regarding the safety of kratom, urging a review of import alerts for the plant. Meanwhile, the bill maintains protections for state hemp programs, prohibiting federal interference in the transportation, processing, and sale of legally cultivated hemp

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this congressional directive signals a sharpening federal approach to cannabis regulation, especially around unsubstantiated health claims. As the FDA faces mounting pressure to act, cannabis businesses should expect increased scrutiny and a stronger emphasis on science-backed marketing. The outcome of these enforcement and research initiatives will have significant implications for the evolving landscape of cannabis, hemp, and other plant-based therapeutics in the United States