FDA, PDEA ban hempseed oil, its derivative

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) are banning the sale and importation of hempseed oil, its varieties and derivatives from marijuana in the country, citing the harmful effects of dangerous drugs to public health.

In a joint advisory dated Sept. 8, the two agencies also warned the public against buying or consuming hempseed oil or other derivatives of cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana or “Indian Hemp,” from the species of the plant cannabis sativa L.

The advisory said the warning included but was not limited to cannabis Americana, hashish, bhang, guaza, churrus and ganja or by its any other name. Consumers who stumble upon these prohibited products in the market should immediately report them to either the FDA and PDEA, it said.

The joint advisory also ordered all manufacturers, sellers, distributors and importers of consumer products to declare in their labels or in writing to FDA or PDEA the sources of hempseed oil products or their varieties and derivatives for investigation and verification. Jocelyn R. Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer