With flavors like Half Baked and Magic Brownies, it's no surprise that Ben & Jerry's would look to leverage one of the newest trends in food - cannabidiol or CBD. The company says it intends to make its CBD-infused ice cream available once CBD is legalized at the federal level. Currently the FDA prohibits adding CBD to food and beverages. The FDA has set a public hearing on the legalization of CBD in food and beverages for May 31, and Ben & Jerry's has submitted comment on the issue.
A National Restaurant Association survey found that three in four chefs named CBD – and cannabis-infused food-- as a hot trend in 2019. "We're doing this for our fans," said CEO Matthew McCarthy. "We've listened and brought them everything from non-dairy indulgences to on-the-go portions. We want to give them what they're looking for in a fun, Ben & Jerry's way."
Ben & Jerry's is looking into sustainably-sourced CBD from Vermont as part of their ongoing "values-led" supply chain model.
