You might have seen the letters ‘CBD’ pop up increasingly in the past few years. As more and more states begin legalizing recreational cannabis use, the stigma of cannabis and cannabis-derived products is slowly increasing. This shift in public opinion is excellent news for users of cannabis and cannabis-derived products, as now they can enjoy the benefits without fear of condemnation. But first, let’s circle back for a moment and talk about what CBD is. California CBD.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of the more prominent members of the Cannabaceae family, which contains over 80 biologically-active compounds that offer a host of health benefits. The other most famous compound in this family is THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, and is the psychoactive element in cannabis that makes users inexplicably hungry.
CBD & THC
Often, CBD and THC are discussed interchangeably, but in reality, they’re two completely different compounds. Whereas THC is intoxicating, CBD is not. CBD’s non-intoxicating qualities have driven the increasing popularity of CBD products, which produces immense health benefits. However, the FDA has stepped in to lay down some new regulations and standards as CBD products have become more popular. Today, we’re going to talk specifically about the legality of CBD in California.
CBD legality
Have you ever heard of the Farm Bill? In 2018, this bill removed cannabis omitted CBD from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s definition of cannabis. Before this, there was no real legal distinction between cannabis and hemp. However, this changed with the Farm Bill, which defined legal hemp as hemp with a THC concentration of less than 0.3%. There is an important distinction to make here, though.
More info
Marijuana is still a Schedule I drug according to the FDA, so marijuana-derived CBD products are still illegal on the federal level. However, because hemp now enjoys federal legality, hemp-derived CBD products are federally legal. Despite the new federal legality of some CBD products, states have become free to legislate CBD.
Surprisingly, marijuana has been medicinally and recreationally legal in California since 2003. Because hemp-sourced CBD and marijuana-sourced CBD are both licensed for medicinal and recreational use, these types of CBD products are legal in California.
California CBD restrictions
Fortunately, you can find CBD products nearly anywhere in the Golden State, as California enjoys some of the most liberal CBD regulations in the entire country. Similar to above, restaurants and food retailers are the only establishments prohibited from selling CBD products in California. Because the FDA does not regulate CBD products, it’s wise to research any edible products before purchase. Please keep your eyes peeled for CBD products sourced from U.S. hemp farms and very clearly list their ingredients on their product labels.
Where to find the best CBD products
CBD products abound in California, but not all are created equal. Thankfully, you can find some of the best CBD oils online. Venera CBD is one of the best in the business, as they offer an extensive range of topicals and edibles that are all sourced from premium organic hemp grown in the United States. Venera is committed to setting their customers’ minds at ease by being transparent about their products’ ingredients.
CBD Gummies
Some of you who’ve never tried CBD gummies may be wondering what specific benefits they offer. While experiences differ from person to person, as everyone has their tolerance, CBD gummies often produce feelings of sleepiness and relaxation. Many users like to take them to fall asleep easier. Keep in mind, though, that these sweet treats are intended for adult use only. If you’re thinking of giving these gummies to children, you must consult with a physician first. There is no guarantee that CBD gummies are 100% safe for pediatric consumption since the FDA does not regulate them.
Other benefits of CBD
One of the immediate advantages of CBD products is how easy they are to measure. Because the compound itself becomes so concentrated during manufacturing, it’s easy to determine what amount you’re ingesting precisely.
Study
However, an independent study found that people who ingest 600 mg of CBD before giving a public speech reported that they felt less anxious. Other studies done on animals found that CBD that this lessened anxiety might manifest as reduced stress. Also, lowered heart rate, improved PTSD symptoms, and sounder, longer sleep.
Interestingly, CBD may also aid people who suffer from seizures, such as people with epilepsy. However, the verdict is still out on whether CBD offers any long-term benefits for epilepsy patients, as research on appropriate dosages is still underway.
Research
But the early results are promising. A 2016 study with 214 epileptic participants took 2 to 5 mg of CBD oil daily. They were asked to record their frequency of seizures and any adverse effects for 12 weeks. Amazingly, participants recorded a 36.5% decrease in monthly seizures, although 12% recorded severe unwanted side effects.
Researchers are also looking into how CBD can relieve chronic pain. A pioneering drug made of CBD and THC, named Nabiximols, has been approved by the U.K. and Canada to treat people with multiple sclerosis who suffer from chronic pain. However, some doctors wonder if the CBD in the drug is producing more anti-inflammatory effects than pain-relieving effects. Only time and more extensive research will tell.
Other benefits of CBD
It’s plain to see the beneficial effects CBD products can have on people’s health and everyday lives. Hopefully, concrete medical evidence will emerge in the coming years to support CBD’s medicinal potential. So if you are looking for Natural Relief look no further than VENERA CBD. Thanks for reading and we hope you learned something new
