02/10/2025
How is cannabidiol different from ma*****na, cannabis, and h**p?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis (ma*****na). While CBD is an essential component of medical ma*****na, it is derived directly from the h**p plant, a cousin of ma*****na, or manufactured in a laboratory. One of hundreds of components in ma*****na, CBD does not cause a high by itself.
According to a report from the World Health Organization, "In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD." A recent study in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology concluded that "acute CBD alone is unlikely to significantly impair daily functioning or workplace performance."
Is cannabidiol legal?
CBD is readily obtainable in most parts of the United States, though its exact legal status has been in flux. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction. In December 2015, the FDA eased the regulatory requirements to allow researchers to conduct CBD trials. In 2018, the Farm Bill made h**p legal in the United States, making it virtually impossible to keep CBD illegal — that would be like making oranges legal, but keeping orange juice illegal.
