The USPS has been under fire for improperly seizing shipments of CBD en route to customers, but some new regulations may prevent these mishaps from occurring in the future.
On March 4th, 2019, the United States Postal Service released three new guidelines that have to be followed when sending CBD through the mail.
- The package must have a self-certification statement in it from the sender that accounts for everything that they are shipping, and it needs to be on their own letterhead.
It also must include the following statement in the text: “I certify that all information contained in this letter and supporting documents are accurate, truthful, and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information or omits information relating to this certification may be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties, including fines and imprisonment.”
- The producer of the hemp must possess a license issued by the USDA in the state where the package is being mailed from. Documentation that identifies the producer and shows that the sender has authorization from the producer to market their products must also be included.
- The THC concentration of the hemp product being mailed must be less than 0.3% as mandated by federal law.
Depending on the CBD company, the second documentation guideline could be a difficult one to follow. Some sellers don’t have a direct way of contacting the producer. The new regulations would force them to disclose where and by whom their CBD originated. This policy will inadvertently lead to more transparency. For the CBD industry as a whole, this is probably a good thing.
For consumers, choosing a company that is prepared to follow these new mailing guidelines is essential. Stories from customers who pay for CBD products that never arrive because they have have been seized by the postal service are not uncommon.
Ensuring that your distributor is vigilant with these guidelines can help you avoid missing shipments. If you have concerns, most CBD companies have a ticket or instant messaging system.
Simply ask them if they are fully in compliance with the new mailing regulations issued at the beginning of March. Following the new rules for mailing CBD is a win for both the retailer and the customer.
Sources:
https://cannabusiness.law/usps-issues-guidelines-for-mailing-cbd/ https://www.cannalawblog.com/going-postal-usps-provides-guidance-on-mailing-hemp-cbd/
