Kroger Launches CBD Sales In 17 States

Cincinnati, Ohio-based grocery store chain Kroger Co. is now selling CBD-infused topicals in its stores in 17 states, the Detroit News reports. The company joins other traditional retailers, such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and even Family Video in offering CBD products following the passage of last year’s federal farm bill.

In Michigan, the products will be available at 92 of Kroger’s 120 stores. Rachel Hurst, corporate affairs manager for Kroger’s Michigan division, told the News that the company started carrying the products due to its “promising benefits” and its legality “within federal and state regulations.”

The company is sticking to topicals since the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve adding CBD to dietary supplements, cosmetics, and food additives. Jennifer Holton, communications director for the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Department, clarified that it remains against state regulations to add CBD to food, drink, and animal feed due to the FDA ban.

“Once you’re taking the oil and putting it into something, it makes it a food or feed additive. That’s not allowed at this point.” – Holton, via Detroit News

The FDA did hold its first public hearing about CBD on May 31; however, no decisions were made, and the FDA has offered no further guidance. A statement on the FDA website indicates that the agency “considers many factors in deciding whether or not to initiate an enforcement action.” The statement says those factors include “agency resources and the threat to the public health.”

“FDA also may consult with its federal and state partners in making decisions about whether to initiate a federal enforcement action,” the July 13, 2016 statement says.

A February survey by Cowen & Co. found that about 7 percent of Americans are already using some form of CBD. The firm estimates that 10 percent of U.S. adults will be CBD consumers by 2025.