The European Commission has finally added CBG, one of the most well-known cannabinoids extracted from hemp, to the register of cosmetic ingredients allowed in the EU(CosIng).
An important step, in the troubled but inexorable path of enhancing the supply chain of Cannabis Sativa L. In that logic of sustainable development and circular economy that characterizes this crop.
Cannabinoids, from the Court of Justice to the CosIng registry.
On 19.11.20, theEuropean Court of Justice ( ECJ) had ruled on 19.11.20 that member states are prohibited from banning the marketing of cannabidiol (CBD) derived from Cannabis Sativa L. Indeed, the scientific literature is unanimous in recognizing that CBD is not a psychotropic substance, and no health needs are discernible that could justify restrictions on its free movement in the domestic market. (1)
The CosIng registry-after years of unjustified twists and turns by the ‘competent’ offices in Brussels-has thus included among the cosmetic ingredients allowed in the EU:
– the natural CBD, in February 2021, (2) and
– CBG, in May 2021. INCI Code.
cannabigerol
, skin conditioning function.
CBG, cannabigerol
CBG, cannabigerol-like most of the nonpsychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp-has so far received less attention, in the marketplace, than CBD. Its concentration after drying is less than 1%. And yet it is the most abundant cannabinoid during flowering, from which CBD and THC are derived.
The scientific literature attributes CBG with therapeutic properties of great interest. Not only cosmetics, treatment of psoriasis and glaucoma, psychological functions (relaxing action), but also treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and bladder dysfunction, as well as anticancer action (breast, skin, prostate).
Hemp and derivatives in the cosmetic ingredient registry
CosIng reports 48 entries of cosmetic ingredients derived from hemp. Among them:
– Natural and synthetic cannabinoids. Beyond CBD and CBG, the European Commission persists in ignoring the ECJ ruling, pointing out possible national restrictions that it itself has a duty to have removed instead,
– flowers and leaves, (3)
– Cannabis sativa L. extracts, (4)
– Oil extracted from flowers, leaves and stems, (5)
– hemp seed oil, (6)
– root extract, (7)
– sprouts. (8)
Future Perspectives
Still awaiting a favorable assessment, from EFSA, regarding the safety of consumption of CBD as a food ingredient. In view of its authorization as Novel Food, so far proposed in numerous apparently deficient dossiers.
The therapeutic use of cannabinoids in turn presents some unknowns and licensing complexities, despite promising uses in a variety of even serious diseases. Lastly, also for the purpose of Covid-19 treatment. (9)
Dario Dongo and Giulia Torre
Notes
(1) Dario Dongo. Natural CBD, EU Court of Justice declares unjustified bans unlawful. New Horizons. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 11/21/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/cbd-naturale-la-corte-di-giustizia-ue-dichiara-illegittimi-i-divieti-ingiustificati-nuovi-orizzonti
(2) INCI code Cannabidiol – derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis. Functions anti-sebum, antioxidant, skin conditioning, skin protection.
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=96287
(3) INCI name Cannabis Sativa flower/leaf extract. Anti-sebum function. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=98051
(4) INCI Cannabis Sativa Extract. Functionsanti-sebum, antimicrobial, antioxidant, skin protection. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=98253
(5) Cannabis Sativa Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil. Functions antimicrobial, antioxidant, skin conditioning – miscellaneous. https://ec. europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=98674
(6) Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil. skin conditioning, skin conditioning – emollient.
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=55065
(7) Cannabis Sativa Root Extract. Antimicrobial, antioxidant. https://ec. europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=99628
(8) Cannabis Sativa Sprout. Skin conditioning. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=97601
(9) Wang B, Kovalchuk A, Li D, Rodriguez-Juarez R, Ilnytskyy Y, Kovalchuk I, Kovalchuk O. (2020). In search of preventive strategies: novel high-CBD Cannabis sativa extracts modulate ACE2 expression in COVID-19 gateway tissues. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 Nov 22;12(22):22425-22444. doi: 10.18632/aging.202225. Epub 2020 Nov 22. PMID: 33221759; PMCID: PMC7746344
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in law, master in European Food Law, she deals with agro-food, veterinary and agricultural legislation. She is a PhD in agrisystem.
