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.