PeopleImages/ E+ via Getty ImagesCANNABIDIOL CANNOT TECHNICALLY BE INCLUDED IN FOODS OR DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS | Due to ongoing studies, CBD cannot be legally included in foods or dietary supplements. Still, CBD-infused dishes continue to be a food trend and CBD products labeled "dietary supplement" are available on the market. In response, the FDA has sent warnings to several companies, and some local governments, like New York City, are cracking down too. Conversely, other states, like Maine, have passed or are in the process of passing laws allowing for the sale of edible CBD products.
Mark Lennihan/APNew York regulators have proposed quality control standards and a licensing program for hemp-derived CBD products that have gained widespread popularity in products such as tinctures, salves and lotions, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.
Svetlana Iakusheva/ShutterstockFDA STRONGLY ADVISES AGAINST CBD USE DURING PREGNANCY | CBD or CBD-infused products are not among the foods pregnant women should add to their diet. Given the lack of comprehensive research on how CBD affects developing fetuses, pregnant mothers or breastfed babies, the FDA strongly advises against its use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Additionally, there is a chance purchased CBD products may also contain contaminants or substances like THC that pose a health risk to babies. CBD may also be transferred to babies via breast milk.
PeopleImages/ E+ via Getty ImagesCBD DOES HAVE OTHER EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN | Although it will not result in a marijuana-like high, CBD does still affect the brain. According to the U.S. Department of Health, CBD appears to prevent the breakdown of a chemical in the brain that affects pain, mood and mental function. With the chemical breakdown prevented, the chemical levels in the blood increase and reduce psychotic symptoms associated with various mental health conditions.
OlegMalyshev/ iStock / Getty Images PlusCONSUMERS SHOULD PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO LABELS | Given the evidence that CBD products may be mislabeled, consumers must be vigilant. According to Project CBD and Consumer Reports, people living in states where medical or recreational marijuana is legal should look to purchase their CBD products from a licensed dispensary. Others should shop products made in states that have legalized cannabis. Consumers should be wary of explicit health claims, toxic thinning agents in vape cartridges or brands that list total cannabinoid content instead of the amount of CBD and THC per serving.
LauriPatterson/LauriPatterson/Getty Images/CBD oil in a bottle surrounded by marijuana flowers
Billion Photos/ShutterstockCBD CAN ALSO NOT BE MARKETED AS THERAPEUTIC | Look out for CBD products marketed as healing or preventative. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabidiol cannot be included in products marketed for therapeutic purposes. According to the FDA, therapeutic products are any that intend to "prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat, or cure serious diseases."
10'000 Hours/ DigitalVision via Getty ImagesTHERE ARE OTHER POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS TOO | Although CBD is often well-tolerated by users, side effects may include nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite and drowsiness.
Max Mudie/ShutterstockCBD OIL AND CBD TINCTURE ARE NOT THE SAME EITHER | While CBD oil is made from infusing cannabis in a carrier oil, CBD tincture involves soaking cannabis in alcohol and water. While tinctures are a more traditional means of consuming CBD, oils are more easily mixed in with smoothies and other foods you should eat every day.
HighGradeRoots/ iStock / Getty Images PlusTHE CBD MARKET IS BOOMING | Do not think for a moment you are alone in the CBD hype. As more familiar brands enter the cannabis industry, the collective market for CBD sales is expected to exceed $20 billion in the United States by 2024.
PeopleImages/ E+ via Getty ImagesUNDER FEDERAL LAW, CBD CAN ONLY BE SOLD AS A 'COSMETIC' | Under the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD can only be included in "cosmetic" products and only if it contains less than 0.3% THC. The FDA defines a cosmetic as a "product (excluding pure soap) intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance."
Gang Zhou/ E+ via Getty ImagesYOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PERSON INTERESTED IN TRYING CBD | According to a 2019 Gallup poll, 14% of Americans say they use CBD products. Survey respondents ages 18 to 29 were most likely to report CBD use, as were people in the western region of the U.S. Among survey respondents who use CBD, 40% use it to treat pain, 20% for anxiety and 11% for sleep.
Diego Cervo/ShutterstockCBD IS USED TO ADDRESS CHRONIC PAIN, INSOMNIA AND OTHER CONDITIONS | CBD health claims run the gamut. According to Harvard Medical School, beyond proving to be an effective treatment for epileptic seizures, CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, insomnia and lack of sleep. Studies suggest cannabidiol can help users fall and stay asleep. For people battling chronic pain, animal studies have shown CBD applied directly to the skin could help lower pain and inflammation too.
PRO Stock Professional/Shutterstock'COSMETIC' CBD PRODUCTS DO NOT NEED PRE-MARKET FDA APPROVAL | Before hitting the market, cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to approval by the FDA. Only color additives are subject to such pre-market approval.
Rido/ShutterstockMALE REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY MAY BE ANOTHER SIDE EFFECT | Beyond being potentially damaging for pregnant women, CBD could negatively impact male reproductivity too. In tests on pregnant animals, high doses of CBD caused problems with the reproductive systems of developing male fetuses.
kate_sept2004/E+ via Getty ImagesCBD CAN HELP CHILDREN WITH AUTISM OR ANXIETY | CBD has been shown to benefit children as well as adults. As part of a 2019 study, 155 autistic children 18 and younger each tried CBD oil for at least six months. More than 80% of the children's parents reported a significant or moderate improvement in their child. A similar 2018 study of 60 children with autism found anxiety improved in over a third of the kids. However, while CBD can be safe for children it is not without side effects, including liver injury.
Caitlin Riley/iStock / Getty Images PlusFULL-SPECTRUM CBD, BROAD-SPECTRUM CBD AND CBD ISOLATE ARE NOT THE SAME | Although they all sound similar, full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate are different. Full-spectrum CBD contains all the phytochemicals naturally found in a plant, including CBD and trace amounts of other cannabinoids like THC. Full-spectrum CBD can result in a false positive drug test. To solve this, broad-spectrum CBD contains cannabidiol and all the other plant compounds, except THC. CBD isolate, lastly, is the purest CBD form. All other plant ingredients are removed.
FG Trade/E+ via Getty ImagesCBD MIGHT BOTH HELP AND HINDER PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE | According to the U.S. Department of Health, CBD has been used to treat Parkinson's disease. Research has shown CBD can reduce public speaking anxiety and psychotic symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. However, more research suggests high doses of CBD could worsen people's muscle movement and tremors.
dragana991/ iStock / Getty Images PlusCBD HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE LIVER INJURY | While in the process of approving Epidiolex, the FDA identified CBD safety risks, including the potential for liver injury. Similar liver injuries have been seen in other studies as well. Although the FDA is confident liver injury risk can be managed in the Epidiolex case under medical supervision, there are concerns of potential liver injury associated with non-medically monitored CBD use.
CasarsaGuru/E+ via Getty ImagesYOUR PET MAY BENEFIT FROM CBD TOO | Some cannabis products are marketed as products for pets, not people. The FDA encourages pet owners against these items and urges them to speak with their veterinarians (who under federal law cannot prescribe CBD for animals) for more information on pet treatments. Still, pet cannabis lines are readily available.
Rawpixel/iStock / Getty Images PlusONLY ONE CBD PRODUCT IS FDA APPROVED | While doctors can recommend cannabis to treat other conditions, CBD specifically can only be prescribed clinically to treat seizures. Epidiolex, the only FDA-approved CBD product, is used to reduce seizures in adults and children with two rare, severe forms of epilepsy. All other unapproved CBD products have not been subject to FDA evaluation meant to determine effectiveness in treating disease or validity of other claims. Unapproved products have not been FDA evaluated to find proper dosage, dangerous side effects or ways they interact with other drugs or foods.
IrenaV/ iStock / Getty Images PlusTHERE ARE MANY WAYS TO CONSUME CBD | CBD products come in all types. There are edible gummies, oils and tinctures made for consumption, capsules, concentrates, vape pen cartridges and CBD topical creams and salves.
Dog_Trumpet/ iStock / Getty Images PlusPOISON CONTROL CENTERS TREATED 1,500 CANNABIDIOL CASES IN 2019 | Since consumers may have no way of knowing whether their CBD product contains more CBD or THC than labeled or includes other contaminants, poison control centers across the U.S. treated 1,529 cannabidiol related cases in 2019 alone. As of June 30, more than 920 cannabidiol cases have been reported in 2020.
Adul10/ShutterstockCANNABIDIOL DOESN'T MIX WELL WITH CERTAIN DRUGS | Based on studies of FDA-approved CBD drug Epidiolex, there is a risk cannabidiol may increase or decrease the effectiveness of other medications. This could result in adverse effects or a change in safe dosage. The U.S. Department of Health urges consumers not to take CBD in conjunction with Clobazam and Valproate. Other medications viewable here are also considered moderate threats when consumed along with CBD.
Donte Tatum/iStock / Getty Images PlusAS FAR AS SKINCARE GOES, CBD CAN HELP | Skin health is vital. A 2014 study found that CBD behaves as a highly effective sebostatic agent, meaning the cannabidiol can help reduce the production of acne-causing sebum. Another study found topical CBD treatments can improve the quality of life in patients with some skin disorders, especially of an inflammatory sort.
Rawf8/ iStock / Getty Images PlusCBD LEGALITY IS TRICKY AND DEPENDS ON YOUR STATE | Despite a rapidly growing market, CBD continues to be shrouded in legal mystery. In 2018, the federal government passed the Farm Bill, which legalized industrial hemp production. However, legalized hemp did not mean legalization for all hemp-derived CBD products. Currently, state and local governments are in control of who can buy and/or use CBD products. Laws and regulations vary widely.
skynesher/ E+ via Getty ImagesIT'S BEST TO BUY PRODUCTS THAT HAVE BEEN THIRD-PARTY TESTED | The highly unregulated CBD market can be tough to navigate. To avoid contaminated or mislabeled cannabidiol, look for CBD products that have been tested by a third party and whose results are available online. Third-party tests commonly look into cannabinoid profiles to determine accurate levels of CBD and THC as well as check for any heavy metal contaminants.
GCShutter/ E+ via Getty ImagesCANNABIDIOL MAY HELP EASE SMOKING HABITS | According to the U.S. Department of Health, early research suggests that inhaling CBD with an inhaler for one week might reduce the number of cigarettes smoked by about 40% compared to the baseline. Other studies suggest CBD may be effective in treating substance use disorders like opioid relapse.
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CANNABIDIOL CANNOT TECHNICALLY BE INCLUDED IN FOODS OR DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS | Due to ongoing studies, CBD cannot be legally included in foods or dietary supplements. Still, CBD-infused dishes continue to be a food trend and CBD products labeled "dietary supplement" are available on the market. In response, the FDA has sent warnings to several companies, and some local governments, like New York City, are cracking down too. Conversely, other states, like Maine, have passed or are in the process of passing laws allowing for the sale of edible CBD products.
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New York regulators have proposed quality control standards and a licensing program for hemp-derived CBD products that have gained widespread popularity in products such as tinctures, salves and lotions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday.
The state Department of Health proposed the regulations in accordance with legislation passed earlier this year establishing a Cannabinoid Hemp Program. There are federal regulations for growing hemp but not for processing cannabinoid products. New York’s proposed regulations require laboratory testing and labeling to ensure consumers are getting what they pay for, without harmful contaminants.
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“These regulations are the next step toward regulating the growing hemp industry in New York in a way that protects consumers and helps ensure the industry’s long-term viability,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing the proposal.
The regulations have been anxiously awaited by industrial hemp farmers and processors across the state, as well as hundreds of businesses that make consumer products from CBD, or cannabidiol, extracted from hemp. At media events around the state last month, industry leaders urged Cuomo to issue rules before the temporary state program they’ve been operating under expires at the end of October.
An industrial hemp pilot program was launched in New York in 2015 in hopes of spurring economic development and providing farmers with a lucrative new crop. There are now about 700 hemp growers and 100 manufacturers of hemp products across the state.
In addition to setting quality standards, the regulations create a system for allowing hemp-derived cannabinoids to be used in certain foods, beverages, topicals and dietary supplements. Processors are prohibited from making claims suggesting the products will treat or prevent disease.
The regulations are subject to a 60-day public comment period.