FAQ

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CBD (cannabidiol) is one of 113 identified active chemical compounds (or cannabinoids) in cannabis (marijuana).  It’s usually the second-most abundant cannabinoid ,behind THC. 

Cannabidiol (CBD) has many health benefits, without producing the psychoactive, "euphoric" effects of THC. 

- CBD exhibits no effects on humans indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.

- To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.

- Chronic use and high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD are reportedly well tolerated in humans.

Source: World Health Organization, WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, Thirty-ninth Meeting Geneva, 6-10 November 2017.
Safety and side effects of cannabidiol (NCBI/NIH). Curr Drug Saf. 2011 Sep 1;6(4):237-49.  Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent.  Bergamaschi MM(1), Queiroz RH, Zuardi AW, Crippa JA

CBD that is extracted from hemp (containing no more than 0.3 percent of  THC) has only been legal nationwide since the Agriculture Improvement Act — better known as the Farm Act — was passed in December 2018.

CBD that is extracted from other cannabis plants is still illegal on the federal level, but may be legal under state law.

At the federal level, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-334, (the 2018 Farm Bill) was signed into law on Dec. 20, 2018. Among other things, this new law changes certain federal authorities relating to the production and marketing of hemp, defined as "the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis." These changes include removing hemp from the Control Substance Act (CSA), which means that cannabis plants and derivatives that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis are no longer controlled substances under federal law.

The 2018 Farm Bill, however, explicitly preserved FDA’s authority to regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds under the FD&C Act and section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act). FDA treats products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds as it does any other FDA-regulated products — meaning they’re subject to the same authorities and requirements as FDA-regulated products containing any other substance. This is true regardless of whether the cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds are classified as hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill.