As many of you may be well awre of in 2018, the U.S. government passed the Farm Bill, which legalized the production of hemp and its derivatives, including cannabidiol (CBD). This historic legislation opened the door for the development of a new industry and the creation of new products that contain CBD. However, the legality of CBD is still a complex issue, and many people are confused about its status.
What is the Farm Bill?
The Farm Bill is an omnibus piece of legislation that is passed by Congress every five years. It sets the policies and funding for a range of agricultural programs and initiatives, including crop insurance, conservation, nutrition, and research. The most recent Farm Bill was passed in 2018 and is set to expire in 2023.
One of the most significant changes in the 2018 Farm Bill was the legalization of hemp. Hemp is a variety of cannabis that contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana its “high.” Hemp has been used for centuries to make a variety of products, including textiles, paper, and food.
The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances and allowed for its cultivation, processing, and sale. This opened the door for the production of hemp-derived products, including CBD.
What is CBD?
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in both hemp and marijuana plants. It has been shown to have a range of potential health benefits, including reducing anxiety, relieving pain, and improving sleep. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a “high” or intoxication.
CBD can be extracted from both hemp and marijuana plants, but it is most commonly derived from hemp because it contains less THC. CBD is available in a variety of forms, including oils, capsules, gummies, and topicals.
The Status of CBD
While the Farm Bill legalized hemp and CBD, the legality of CBD is still a complex issue. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet created a regulatory framework for CBD, which means that it is not currently legal to market CBD as a dietary supplement or food additive.
However, the FDA has approved one CBD-based medication, Epidiolex, for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare forms of epilepsy. This approval means that Epidiolex is legal and can be prescribed by doctors.
The FDA has also issued warning letters to companies that make unsubstantiated health claims about their CBD products. These companies claim that their products can treat or cure various health conditions, which is not supported by scientific evidence.
In addition, some states have created their own regulations around CBD. Some states have legalized the use of medical marijuana, which can contain higher levels of THC and CBD than hemp-derived CBD products. Other states have legalized the use of CBD for certain medical conditions.
Summary of CBD
The Farm Bill was a historic piece of legislation that legalized the production of hemp and CBD. However, the legal status of CBD is still a complex issue, and it is important for consumers to be informed about the regulations and laws in their state. While CBD shows potential for a range of health benefits, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and safety. If you are interested in using CBD, it is important to talk to your doctor first and choose products from reputable companies that are transparent about their manufacturing and testing processes.
#CBD #Hemp #CBDOIL #weed #cures #health