Consumer Brands Association appoints five-member group with assembled expertise from across government, health and law enforcement.

The Consumer Brands Association, which represents the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer products companies under the umbrella of consumer packaged goods (CPG), last month launched an advisory board to guide the organization’s work to enhance safety and ensure appropriate oversight in the burgeoning cannabidiol (CBD) market for CPG.

Joining the CBD Advisory Board are: Mick Cornett, former Oklahoma City mayor; Edward Davis, former commissioner, Boston Police Department; Tom Galvin, executive director, Digital Citizens Alliance; Karen Tandy, former administrator, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and Michael Taylor, former deputy commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“The individuals that we have assembled have decades of experience in tackling issues like the one we face today – the smart regulation of CBD,” said Consumer Brands Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “Each of the advisory board members brings a unique perspective that will be crucial in helping inform and guide the CPG industry’s advocacy approach on this rapidly evolving issue.”

Recent research shows that Americans are confused about the most critical components of CBD – what it is, what it does and how it’s regulated. A staggering 92% of Americans incorrectly assume, or have no idea if, CBD is regulated at the federal level; and 66% assume CBD products are safe.

The advisory board will serve as a helmsman, providing thought leadership and strategic oversight for the industry as it moves forward in seeking appropriate regulation of CBD.

The Consumer Brands Association is calling for increased funding for scientific research into CBD and additional resources for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s enforcement and regulation of CBD in consumer products.

The CBA was known until January of 2020 as the Grocery Manufacturers Association. The organization announced the rebrand this past September.