New York City Health Dept. Bans CBD in Food, Drinks

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene this week announced a ban and resulting crackdown on CBD-infused foods and beverages throughout the city, NBC News reports.

In a statement, the Health Department confirmed that CBD food and drinks are no longer allowed to be sold in the city:

“Restaurants in New York City are not permitted to add anything to food or drink that is not approved as safe to eat. The Health Department takes seriously its responsibility to protect New Yorkers’ health. Until cannabidiol (CBD) is deemed safe as a food additive, the Department is ordering restaurants not to offer products containing CBD.” — New York City Health Department statement, via NBC News

The move is retaliatory to a growing trend of CBD infusions throughout the city.

Ian Ford, the proprietor of the Bushwick-based coffee shop Caffeine Underground, said that business boomed after they started offering CBD-infused brews.

“We were the first ones in New York State to offer drinks with CBD and it became a big deal for us,” he told NBC News.

Now, Ford says he expects a health inspector to come knocking any day to tell him to end his CBD sales or face fines and/or being shut down.

“All of this is very confusing,” said Ford. “It’s legal to buy it and stick it on your tongue, but it’s not legal to buy it and stick it in your coffee? It’s like there’s no rules and too many rules.“

For now, New York City is following in the footsteps of at least one nearby state — earlier this month, Maine issued a ban on selling CBD-infused edible products outside of licensed medical cannabis dispensaries.