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NYC bans CBD in food, drinks

February 25, 2019

New York City's health department issued a ban today against the use of cannabidiol, CBD, from being used in food and drinks.

A city spokesperson told the New York Post that restaurants are not allowed to add anything to food or drink that has not been approved as safe, and that CBD has not been approved as a safe food additive.

The hemp plant derivative is legal to buy and sell, and advocates believe it can help ease anxiety and stress as well as physical pain.

The city said it will start issuing fines of between $200 and $650, as of July 1.

"We are telling them they cannot provide this product to consumers, and that we expect foodservice establishments to either return CBD-containing products to distributors or discard them," a DOH spokeswoman told the Post.