The number of CBD users have doubled over the past year in the UK, but what is CBD? and what is the hype around it?
According to the Cannabis Trades Association UK, the number of cannabidiol (CBD) users has doubled over the past year skyrocketing from 125,000 to 250,000. With such numbers, you’d expect to know this commodity being sold in many high end stores. However, cannabidiol or CBD products are healthcare and lifestyle products that are made by extracting CBD from cannabis.
High end stores like Holand and Berrett selling a wide range of CBD products. Jane, the cashier at the store says “These products are very popular amongst our customers, they sell like hot cakes! So much so that we had to move the CBD capsules from the shelves as people were just stealing it.”
However, people are skeptical about CBD products as there is a lot that needs to be known about the effectiveness,usage and authenticity of these products.
Beanfreaks, a local chain of organic medicines in Cardiff is also a popular store for CBD buyers. To understand more about the product and its use, Ron the product manager from Beanfreaks explained, “The sales have just picked up because of two reasons, firstly the products act as a relaxant, helping your muscles relax and get a good sleep and the second, is that it relieves all types of pain, making it popular among elders. ”
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a natural compound found in the marijuana plant. There are over 80 different active cannabinoids in the marijuana plant, of which CBD is just one.
To make CBD oil, the CBD needs to be extracted from the plant, after which it can be mixed with another oil – such as olive oil, coconut oil or hemp seed oil. This makes it easier to consume, as pure CBD oils are not easily absorbed into the human body.
Is it legal in the UK?
In 2017 there was a change in the regulations regarding cannabis products, which means that under certain criterias, it is 100% legal.
To simplify the legality, cannabis has THC or tetrahydrocannabinol which gives you the feeling of being ‘high.’ CBD products in the UK are only allowed to have lower than 0.2% of THC concentration in the product.
Which in return means, that if the CBD product has less than 0.2% of THC, it is perfectly legal to buy and consume.
CBD infused water is the new ‘legal’ and healthy alternative.Why buy it?
Many regular users hail the effects of CBD products, often referring to them as ‘liquid gold.’ One such beneficiary is Kaylian, a user of CBD, who says, “I use CBD capsules every now and then as a relaxant to help me calm my nerves and get a good sleep.”
Recent studies have shown that humans have an endocannabinoid system and that CBD works on this system to help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
CBD products will keep growing according to retailers.There is a lot of research yet to be done on the benefits of CBD, however it helps people of all ages, from kids suffering with anxiety to pensioners suffering with arthritis.
Even though you can’t sell CBD products that advertise health benefits without a license, buying high quality CBD products as a nutritional supplement allows for a general well being, which is evident in the rise of users within the UK.
Stores even have CBD balms and creams that claim to have medicinal values.