The FDA has appointed Norman Birenbaum to be its senior public health advisor on cannabis research and regulatory actions, according to Inside Health Policy.
This is the first time that the FDA has hired a research and regulation advisor. The agency has a lot of problems with regulations on marijuana-based products, including those containing only CBD. Despite the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that descheduled hemp and gave the FDA authority to oversee hemp-derived products, the agency has been looking for additional safety data since it has banned CBD in foods and dietary supplements.
The appointment of Birenbaum, former New York State cannabis program director, signals more FDA action and involvement in cannabis matters.
In May, the agency announced that Principal Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock would chair the agency's Cannabis Products Council, which oversees marijuana product policy, enforcement and outreach.
The FDA deputy director for regulatory programs, Dr. Douglas Throckmorton, says Birenbaum will bring a lot of experience in policy analysis and legislative outreach to the center, thus helping it establish partnerships. Under Birenbaum's guidance, the FDA is expected to expand its relationship with the health care community, as well as patients and patient advocacy groups.
Birenbaum was previously a staff member of Sen. Elizabeth Warren D-MA and was a chief cannabis policy advisor to governors of New York and Rhode Island. He led the marijuana regulation agencies in both states.
The state s director of cannabis programs was hired by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo D two years ago. During his tenure, Birenbaum helped pass the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act MRTA in 2021, which legalized cannabis.
Before joining the Cuomo administration, Birenbaum created the Rhode Island Office of Cannabis Regulation, overseeing the state's medical marijuana and industrial hemp programs, while helping former Gov. Gina Raimondo is trying to legalize recreational cannabis.
Birenbaum is the founder of the Cannabis Regulators Association CANNRA whose members stand for the top marijuana regulatory agencies from 43 states and U.S. territories, Throckmorton wrote.
The Biden administration has signaled its interest in good-faith engagement on cannabis issues by creating a new adviser position within the FDA dedicated to cannabis research and regulation, according to Khadijah Tribble, the US Cannabis Council's CEO, Khadijah Tribble. Birenbaum's vast experience with managing multiple states medical cannabis efforts will be a good guide to how he approaches the challenges and opportunities ahead of our growing industry. The USCC is ready to work with Mr. Birenbaum on all aspects of cannabis reform.