(CNN)-- Dr. Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, is leaving the agency next month, an administration official familiar with the situation confirmed Tuesday.
This official said this has been in the works for several months. Gottlieb has been commuting weekly to Washington from his home in Connecticut and is leaving to spend more time with his family, the official said.
Gottlieb tweeted that he is "grateful for the opportunity to help lead this wonderful agency."
Alex Azar, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA's parent agency, said in a statement Tuesday that Gottlieb "has been an exemplary public health leader, aggressive advocate for American patients, and passionate promoter of innovation."
How this news will impact the planned hearings on CBD policy in April is unclear. Cannabis Business Times will track announcements from the FDA in the coming weeks to provide the most up-to-date news on how the administration will address CBD.
