Buying a cannabis-infused edible as a consumer is a nexus of food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical. The edible takes the form of a well-known food such as a gummy, baked good, chocolate, or beverage. The cannabinoids of cannabidiol (CBD), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and others are labeled in a similar fashion as those of active ingredients in a dietary supplement. Even if the edible is purchased through an adult-use program, most cannabis-infused edibles are consumed for a pharmaceutical purpose, which may be as common as pain, sleep, or appetite management.
As of this writing, 40 U.S. states have a legal medical program and 23 states have both a legal medical program and a legal adult-use market. Cannabis is a federal Drug Enforcement Administration Schedule I substance1 (see marihuana, marijuana), making cannabis-infused edibles illegal at the federal level and leaving the U.S. with 40 different state codes. Cannabis-infused edibles are not legally defined as a food or dietary supplement at the federal level. The legal cannabis industry performs every step from seed to sale within the boundaries of state lines to avoid interstate commerce, and businesses must comply with the state code of their respective state of operation. Packaging and labeling requirements are found in the state code.