Health Law Advisor

On January 30, 2026, Representative Michael Lawler introduced H.R. 7291, the “GRAS Oversight and Transparency Act.” H.R. 7291 is the latest congressional effort to address longstanding concerns about the federal regulatory framework governing “generally recognized as safe” (“GRAS”) designations for food-related substances.

A newly introduced House Bill, H.R. 7366, titled the Dietary Supplement Regulatory Uniformity Act, would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) to expressly clarify and affirm the Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) preemptive authority over dietary supplement regulation.

The bill would prohibit states from establishing or maintaining dietary supplement requirements that are different from or in addition to federal requirements, unless a state successfully applies for a specific exemption from FDA preemptive authority. Such exemptions would be limited to circumstances where a state requirement is more stringent than federal law or addresses a compelling local condition without placing a product out of compliance with federal standards.

In effect, the proposed legislation reinforces a uniform national regulatory framework for dietary supplements, while preserving a narrow pathway for state involvement under FDA oversight.

On August 30, an official at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released one of the most significant announcements made at the federal level concerning marijuana reclassification. In a letter dated August 29, 2023, Rachel Levine (HHS Assistant Secretary for Health), provided a formal recommendation to Anne Milgrim (Agency Administrator) at the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug under the Federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

A DEA spokesperson confirmed the department ...