Jeff Boogaard

U.S. Navy Veteran

In recent years, the hype surrounding CBD (cannabidiol) and its array of products has been nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. From wellness enthusiasts to mainstream consumers, CBD seemed to be the answer to a myriad of health and lifestyle concerns. However, as the initial fervor begins to wane, it’s time to take a closer look at the factors contributing to the popularity of CBD and CBD products found in CBD stores across the world.

CBD became federally legal in 2018 after the signing of the Farm Bill which effectively made the cultivation, production and sale of industrial hemp federally legal and regulated. In this bill, the government defined hemp as “cannabis with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC) concentration level not to exceed 0.3% dry weight” to ensure there was no psychoactive effects, which removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA)

When CBD first burst onto the scene, it brought with it promises of stress relief, better sleep, and overall well-being. As a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD was embraced for its potential therapeutic benefits without the associated high.  In fact, a year earlier the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug for children as young as 1 year of age with severe epilepsy (Epidiolex). One significant hurdle facing the CBD industry is the lack of consistent, standardized regulations, making it challenging for businesses to navigate the market and leading to a lack of consumer trust in the quality and safety of CBD products.  This led to the oversaturation of the market leading to a dilution of quality and efficacy, and consumers confused and skeptical.  As with any product, quality and efficacy must be researched to ensure you are getting the quality necessary for effectiveness.

Despite this, there is a growing body of positive research on CBD, with the scientific community actively studying CBD’s mechanisms and its impact on various health conditions.  The results so far have been very encouraging in a plethora of areas, from stress, anxiety and PTSD, to inflammation, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and a number of chronic neuropathies.  With the efficacy of CBD directly related to its quality, veterans should feel optimistic when considering adding quality CBD products to their health and wellness regimen.  It is clear CBD continues to hold promise as a positive therapeutic compound.