Going on now through July is a public consultation period on the use of CBD in food where people can contact the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and tell them why they should legalize products containing cannabis. Ben & Jerry’s is encouraging fans to do this so that they can debut a new flavor of CBD-infused ice cream!
As its stands, the FDA prohibits adding CBD to food and beverages. However, as soon as the plant extract is legalized at the federal level, Ben & Jerry’s will have their special CBD-infused flavor ready to hit the shelves.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the chemical compounds from the cannabis plant. Its supporters say it produces relaxation and calm, but unlike its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is not psychoactive and therefore will not get a user high.
The market of cannabinoid-infused products has exploded over the past several years and Ben & Jerry’s has been planning this flavor all the while. The hippie-capitalist ice cream maker has long been known for stoner-hinting flavors such as Bonnaroo Buzz, Phish Food and Half Baked, so this idea comes as no surprise. They are looking into sustainably sourced CBD from Vermont, where the firm has been based since its first store was opened in a renovated gas station in Burlington in 1978.
Ben & Jerry’s is steering itself firmly into the hottest trend in food. Three in four chefs named CBD – and cannabis-infused food – as a hot trend in 2019, according to a recent survey published by the National Restaurant Association.
Matthew McCarthy, Ben & Jerry’s CEO, said:
We’re doing this for our fans. We’ve listened and brought them everything from non-dairy indulgences to on-the-go portions with our Pint Slices. We aspire to love our fans more than they love us and we want to give them what they’re looking for in a fun, Ben & Jerry’s way.
In December, Donald Trump legalized the cultivation of hemp, which had been listed as a Schedule I drug under the controlled substance act. CBD is largely derived from hemp, a low-THC version of the cannabis plant. Now, efforts to reschedule CBD as a legal food supplement have been gathering pace especially since more states have been legalizing cannabis and since the cultivation of hemp is already legal.
CBD is ascribed a wide range of health benefits, from improved sleep to reduced anxiety and pain relief. Many people claim it has helped them with everything from pain relief to PTSD and even with opioid addiction. So, while Ben & Jerry’s brainstorms further what pairs well with CBD, you can help make their new flavor a reality by submitting a comment to the FDA. If you’d like to see this new flavor available in stores you should say so!
