Medical marijuana is in the news a lot these days, with a compound called CBD and products containing the cannabis component exploding in stores and online. But not much research has been done, so it’s hard to know whether CBD is effective.
Laws vary from state to state, so it can also be difficult to know what’s legal.
CBD comes from hemp or marijuana. The CBD products sold on most store shelves have little to no tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical that makes you feel high.
CBD is often sold as an oil, a cream, a gummy or as a pill, but there are many other ways of ingestion.
“There is promising early research showing that CBD can be helpful for conditions such as pain and anxiety. But at this point, it has only been proven to treat epilepsy,” said Rachel Rabkin Peachman, with Consumer Reports.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first cannabidiol drug in the U.S., Epidiolex, to treat two rare but severe forms of epilepsy.
The legality of the CBD products you can buy online, at a store or at a dispensary can be confusing. Because the federal government classifies anything that comes from the marijuana plant, including CBD, as a schedule 1 controlled substance, such as drugs like heroin or LSD, it is illegal at the federal level. But with growing interest in the possible health benefits of CBD, many states have legalized it.
“CBD is regulated differently from state to state, even in states where it’s legal, and regulations can get particularly confusing when you’re looking into products that are sold online,” Peachman said.
Last year, a study found that only 26 out of 84 products that researchers purchased online contained the amount of CBD claimed on their labels. Some didn’t contain any CBD, while others were found to also have THC.
With so much confusion around CBD, there are a few additional steps you can take, Consumer Reports said.
First, look for CBD companies within states that have legalized the recreational and medical use of cannabis. These states tend to have stricter standards. Also, some states with medical marijuana laws require testing.
Next, look for companies that contract with third-party testers that do additional analysis beyond state requirements. Ask to see a certificate of analysis, or COA, which shows the results of testing.
In Texas, law only expressly allows for CBD oil to be used to treat intractable epilepsy and by prescription only.
As for various store purchases, the Department of State Health Services recently backed off its proposal to ban and regulate certain CBD products. DSHS regulates food, drugs and cosmetics in Texas.
The matter of regulation of is expected to be addressed by the Legislature early next year.