By Steven Aiello
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant that has been gaining popularity in recent years for its potential therapeutic benefits. However, the history of CBD in America is a complex one, shaped by changing attitudes toward cannabis and evolving laws and regulations.
Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations in Asia and Africa. However, it wasn't until the early 20th century that it began to gain attention in the United States. In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed, which required that certain drugs, including cannabis, be accurately labeled with their contents. In 1913, California became the first state to criminalize cannabis, and by the 1930s, cannabis was banned in nearly every state.
In the 1950s and 1960s, cannabis began to be associated with counterculture and anti-establishment movements. This, coupled with the growing body of research linking cannabis use to mental health concerns, led to the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970. Under this act, cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it was considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
In the following decades, the use of cannabis, including CBD, remained illegal at the federal level. However, some states began to legalize the medical use of cannabis, starting with California in 1996. By the 2010s, a total of 33 states and the District of Columbia had legalized medical cannabis, and a growing number of states were also legalizing recreational cannabis.
The growing acceptance of cannabis and CBD in the US has also been driven by research showing the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD. Studies have found that CBD may have anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, anti-anxiety, and anti-seizure properties. These findings have led to the development of a growing number of CBD-based products, including oils, tinctures, capsules, and topical creams.
In 2018, the Farm Bill was passed, which removed hemp-derived CBD from the list of controlled substances and made it legal to grow and sell hemp-derived CBD products. This has led to a surge in the number of CBD-based products available in the market, and CBD has become one of the fastest-growing industries in the US, with the market expected to reach $47 billion by 2028.
Despite the growing acceptance of CBD, there are still some challenges and uncertainties surrounding its legal status. The FDA has not yet approved any CBD-based products as a treatment for any medical condition, and there are concerns about the quality and safety of many CBD products available on the market. Additionally, there are still some states where CBD is illegal, and the legal status of CBD can vary depending on the state in which it is sold.
In conclusion, the history of CBD in America has been shaped by changing attitudes toward cannabis and evolving laws and regulations. While the use of CBD was illegal at the federal level for many decades, some states have legalized medical cannabis, and the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, has made it legal to grow and sell hemp-derived CBD products. However, there are still some challenges and uncertainties surrounding its legal status, and more research is needed to fully understand its benefits and potential risks.
Sources: -https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5818782/ -
https://www.history.com/topics/crime/history-of-marijuana-in-america -
https://www.forbes.com/sites/debraborchardt/2019/03/11/cbd-market-could-reach-
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional