More information on CBD ban in Supercross

For the second week in a row, Feld Entertainment employees, producers of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, found themselves in controversy. With all the controversy that took place in San Diego, the group promised to be open, honest and transparent whenever controversy would occur and seven days later they were back.

On Friday before the Arlington Supercross, AMA announced that it was now forbidden for runners to display the logos of CBD oil companies all over the world during a race of the year. supercross. The key elements:

Dean Wilson had to cover the Ignite logos on his bike earlier this season (he is now transferred to the full team of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, so that the logos of his personal sponsors do not appear anymore on his bike, but he still has a Ignite contract, mainly using social media). Chad Reed had cbd® logos on his helmet in Minneapolis, but he had to post a "censored" sticker on the logos in Arlington.

It was not a popular decision. Everyone is looking for more sponsorship dollars in this sport. In addition, CBD oil already has its fans, is well known to some and is also related to one of the most controversial topics in law and ethics for decades: hemp.

As soon as the announcement took place, the refoulement also took place. In Arlington, this meeting went well during the second consecutive Saturday at 9:30 am Supercross. In addition, for the second week in a row, an open session with the media followed. Stephen Payne, Feld's Vice President of Public Affairs, provided us with a lot of information during the session.

We learned two key things:

1.) This new rule only prohibits the advertising and marketing of CBD products and businesses on the track. This is not a prohibition to use the product. CBD can be used / consumed / taken at supercross races by athletes or anyone else. It's not even on WADA's banning list. Feld has no idea of ​​the effectiveness or not of the CBD oil. It is up to the athlete to use it if he wishes. They just can not advertise it.

"We are not against the product," said Payne.

2.) Thanks to the provisions of an agricultural bill adopted in December, the CBD is now legal, technically. However, the Food and Drug Administration says it wants to develop specific regulations on how these products will be sold, packaged, marketed and advertised. Until the FDA does, everyone will guess what is legal and what is not. Some states have taken the initiative to develop their own rules, but others are simply waiting for the FDA to tell them what to do. In the meantime, the supercross, the stadiums in which he runs and the network (NBC) on which he broadcasts, will wait for the FDA to intervene.

"The problem is that the farm bill passed last December removed hemp and hemp products from Schedule 1 of the DEA," Payne said. "It was regulated in the same way as marijuana and other drugs. [In the past] If you were stuck with a suitcase full of hemp, it was the same as if you were stuck with a suitcase full of marijuana, you were going to jail for a long time. This has now changed. The hemp crop and products are no longer illegal, but they are not completely legal either. There is now a patchwork of state laws. The problem is that they passed this law and then the government ended its activities. Before this happened, the FDA had issued a statement stating, "We are the first to have regulation." This means that foods and supplements containing CBD are not legal yet in terms of FDA. Some states prohibit advertising for CBD-based products, some broadcasters prohibit advertising for CBD-based products or use the CBD logos in their broadcasts. Yes, logos have already been seen on television, but it's not because we have speed limits that no one is gaining speed. We are waiting – and we are working daily with people from Washington DC – to force them to regulate these products as soon as possible, so that those who want to take sponsorship can do so. We do not take a position on the use of the product, we just wait for the law to catch up. "

You can learn more about the FDA's position via this link.

These are the main problems now. It's legal for riders to use it, they just can not advertise it during races. They may also display logos or promotions outside the circuit, for example on social networks, because Feld has no control or opinion on this subject. It would be good if Reed and Wilson, who are among the biggest supporters in the world of sport, can keep their sponsorships for the moment. However, it would not be surprising to see more money poured into more teams and drivers in the sport if logos could come back on motorcycles and equipment, and brands could be mentioned on the podium. .

So, in this case, how long before advertising of these products becomes legal? It could be a moment. Nothing happens quickly in Washington and there is a chance that CBD oil is taken in an even deeper quagmire.

"The problem we have is that the FDA has just announced that it will re-examine how it regulates dietary supplements," said Payne. "Many of these CBD products are packaged, sold and sold as dietary supplements. If this falls under this regulation, it may take some time. The original laws on dietary supplements took years to pass and people chased everyone for what they meant. It will not be a process that ends this season.

"When we went up on Capitol Hill to ask what this agricultural bill meant, the authors of the farm bill said they were not sure what it was. [hemp] the law means. "

Sounds strange?

"Welcome to Washington," said Payne.

The sooner the better for those looking for a sponsorship and rest assured that the companies that manufacture these products strive to solve this problem on a daily basis. In the meantime, the laws of the States are very varied and nobody is even sure of the precision with which they will be applied.

"It's the kind of legal mess we're in," said Payne. "I mean, the DEA does not stop people for hemp. They have something else to fear. It does not mean that you can not enter some stores and find CBD oils for sale. Sometimes you can. But that does not mean that they are approved in the current regulatory framework. "

So that's all. At the moment, any rider seen with a logo in the AMA Supercross stadium or stadium is facing a huge penalty (we have heard of a total disqualification). Do not forget that the products are legal to use, but not to promote, at least for the moment. What would happen if a stadium or supercross show was found to be advertising a logo for a hemp derived product?

"Do not supercross the laboratory for CBD advertising," said Payne.