The trend that took NYC by storm will quickly be put to an end.
You’ve probably tried a CBD infused cookie, coffee, cocktail or smoothie sometime over the past year. And if you enjoyed it and felt its (questionable) effects, you’ll be sad to hear that New York City restaurants and cafes will no longer be able to sell products infused with the hemp derivative, beginning this week.
According to Eater, five restaurants have already been asked by the Department of Health to end the sale of CBD edibles as the product has not been deemed safe to consume.
A statement was put out by a DOH spokesperson explaining that,
“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.”
This mandate will come as a hit to many growing businesses in the City that market CBD products as their major selling point. It remains unclear as to when the DOH will make a formal decision on whether or not food infused with CBD is safe to eat. At the moment, CBD oil has been deemed safe for consumption on its own by the FDA and is completely legal to purchase. CBD is not marijuana, and will not get you high; it is a water-soluble, non-psychoactive ingredient derived from cannabis and has shown promise in treating many ailments like anxiety, chronic pain, and even acne.
So what will be the next food craze? Maybe one of the city’s Michelin Star Restaurants will come up with the next big idea.
Featured image: @rondenoculinary via Instagram