The growing popularity of CBD oil has increased the level of study into the cannabinoid. Now that it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry, there is a vested interest in learning as much as we can about CBD.
At present, top CBD oil US brands know they have to stand out by providing proof of their credibility. This is necessary because the industry remains poorly regulated. Therefore, companies can sell low-quality products without much oversight.
CBD brands are still not allowed to make any health claims when selling their products. This is despite a significant increase in the level of research, which suggests that cannabidiol has many benefits.
Then there is the complex issue of legality. In the United States, it isn’t clear-cut as the federal government has yet to legalize CBD. CBD oil US brands such as PureKana can sell their wares as long as they meet certain rules.
This article quickly looks at the legal status of CBD and also delves into research regarding its efficacy for specific medical issues.
Is CBD Legal?
It depends on where you live! In Europe, countries such as Moldova, Slovakia, Armenia, and Belarus have banned it outright. Also, many African countries have a harsh attitude towards all cannabinoids.
In the US, CBD products are widely available in high street stores, dedicated CBD shops, and online stores like PureKana. These companies must ensure that their CBD oil and other products come from hemp and contain a maximum of 0.2% THC.
When buying CBD in the US, make sure you only choose brands like PureKana who provide third-party lab reports with every batch. That way, you’ll know how much cannabidiol is in each product.
In the United States, CBD oil is not federally legal, even though licensed farmers are permitted to grow hemp with a maximum of 0.3% THC. However, CBD products with a THC level below that threshold derived from hemp are usually tolerated in most states.
For the record, other countries with a ban on CBD oil include Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Cuba.
What Is the Proof of CBD’s Efficacy?
For over 80 years, hemp was banned in the United States and many countries worldwide. This ensured that research into the effects of different cannabinoids was badly hampered. However, in recent times, researchers have studied CBD and found that it has huge potential.
Arguably the most detailed research into CBD regards its ability to help children with epilepsy syndromes such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Indeed, the American FDA even approved a pharmaceutical drug called Epidiolex, which contains CBD, to treat epilepsy.
There is evidence that CBD oil could reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
A review of studies published in Molecules in 2019 looked into the use of CBD in the treatment of epilepsy. The researchers analysed its effectiveness and security in clinical trials.
The paper said that CBD had shown efficacy as an antidepressant, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and anti-seizure drug. A look through several clinical trials revealed that CBD did indeed help reduce the number of seizures suffered by epilepsy patients.
What Else Can CBD Do?
Amongst adults, one of the most common reasons to use CBD oil is to help with chronic pain. A review of studies published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in 2018 looked at research from the previous 40 years. These studies analysed CBD’s impact on pain from conditions such as cancer and fibromyalgia. The researchers concluded that CBD helped with pain management and didn’t cause adverse effects.
There are many other reasons to try CBD oil in the US. A recent survey from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) revealed that approximately 19 million adults in the US reported high anxiety levels regarding the global pandemic.
Evidence exists which suggests that CBD oil could help with anxiety. A study published in The Permanente Journal in 2019 looked at CBD’s effects on anxiety and sleep. It looked at 103 patients who reported feeling anxious or had issues sleeping.
A total of 72 volunteers completed the study. Of the 47 who claimed they had severe anxiety, almost 80% reported reduced anxiety scores within one month of using CBD oil. These scores remained low for the full three-month study.
Final Thoughts on CBD’s Legal Status & Evidence of Its Efficacy
There is already a huge amount of evidence supporting CBD’s benefits for a significant array of medical issues. What’s really exciting is that researchers have only scratched the surface. As the cannabinoid becomes more widely tolerated worldwide, it should give scientists more freedom and funding to continue their studies.
Currently, CBD oil in the US is legal if it comes from hemp and contains a maximum of 0.2% THC. We recommend sticking with trusted CBD brands like PureKana.
