USDA Clarifies Cannabis Food and Drinks Are Ineligible for SNAP

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service
administrator last week sent a letter to all Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) retailers noting that cannabis-derived products
are ineligible for purchase with SNAP. In the letter, Administrator James
C. Miller said the clarification is part of the agency’s commitment to
fighting “waste, fraud, and abuse.”

“This letter serves as a reminder that it is a program violation to accept
SNAP benefits for foods and drinks containing controlled substances such as
cannabis/marijuana.” — Miller, in the letter

The letter adds that “Retailers who commit program violations will face
consequences which include disqualification from the ability to accept SNAP
benefits, monetary penalties, fines and/or criminal prosecution.”

The letter does not contain any information about what prompted it or the
rate at which cannabis-infused food and drinks are purchased using SNAP
benefits.

The USDA website also lists CBD products on its ineligible list, alongside
beer, wine, and liquor, cigarettes and tobacco, vitamins, medicines, and
supplements, live animals, foods that are hot at point-of-sale, and
non-food items.