Here at ISCBDFORYOU.org, we have covered several topics: What is CBD, Who is CBD For, Seniors and CBD, CBD and Epilepsy, Controversy surrounding CBD, Skin Care Beauty Products, CBD and Sports, Recreational vs Medical Marijuana, and Legality of CBD to name a few. As you can guess, our readers have had some questions.

I thought it would be a good time to address some of these but before we do, let’s clarify the difference between CBD and THC as some questions address THC and CBD.

CBD VS THC

CBD and THC are two of the main compounds found in the Marijuana plant.

Simply put, CBD or cannabidiol is one of at least 113 cannabinoids (a compound that acts on CBD receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitters in the brain). This makes up approximately 40% of the plant’s extract. CBD is NOT a narcotic unlike THC, the other main compound associated with the ‘high’ or euphoria.

Studies have shown that CBD is effectively used to combat inflammation and anxiety, treating cancer and epilepsy, especially in children. Health Canada has said that CBD exhibits no effects of abuse or dependence.

To take this one step further, there are Hemp-derived CBD and Marijuana-derived CBD. Since this is confusing to a lot of people, I am attaching a link to this article from ministryofhemp.com which explains it quite simply.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (more commonly known as THC) is the other well-known compound and is the one associated with getting you ‘high.’

It too is beneficial for treating aches, chronic pain, arthritis, lack of appetite, and inflammation but because of its psychoactive properties, not everyone is able to or wants to use it.

So let’s delve into a few questions you have asked.

Question #1 – Do you use it (CBD)?

Yes, I use CBD (since 2016) for chronic pain in both my hips and knees. In 1994, I received a diagnose of degenerative joint changes but refused to take pharmaceutical drugs mostly because of the side effects so I had many days and nights filled with pain.

In 2016, a friend told me about her experiences with CBD and how it helped her. I now have my Marijuana Medical license and take mostly CBD oil which helps me get a good night’s sleep. I have tried edibles with a higher concentration of THC but I am one of those people who have very little tolerance, don’t like the ‘high feeling,’ and not being in control. Hence, I am quite happy with CBD products containing little or no THC.

Question #2 – Where are CBD and Marijuana legal?

The answer to this isn’t as clear-cut as you might think.

CANADA

In Canada, Medical Marijuana (containing both CBD and THC) has been legal since 2001.

At present, recreational marijuana will become legal in 2018 (maybe in August) which means possessing marijuana for non-medical purposes is still illegal everywhere in Canada. It is still considered a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

UNITED STATES

Legality in the US is a mixed bag. Supposedly, CBD is legal in all fifty states but only if the compound is hemp-derived. However, this article says not.

The FDA has not approved CBD for any medical treatment but has approved three CBD-based medicines derived from isolated synthetics: Marinol, Syndros, and Cesamet (do the words profit or pharmaceutical come to mind?). These synthetics also come with a plethora of side effects.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stands by its position that marijuana and its derivatives remain illicit and that it is a Schedule 1 drug. This is their definition of a Schedule 1 substance:

• The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.

• The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

• Currently, there is not an acceptable safety standard for using it under medical supervision.

Yet there are many who would refute these claims, organizations and individuals alike.

The WHO (World Health Organization) says:

“CBD is usually well tolerated with a decent safety profile” and “To date, there’s no proof of recreational use of CBD or any public health connected issues related to consumption of pure CBD.”

According to the largest survey to date by Brightfield Group and Hello MD, nearly half of those who use cannabidiol products stop taking traditional medicines.

For a more in-depth look check out State Medical Marijuana Laws and states with legal CBD laws.

EUROPE

Approximately 3 million people (1%) of the adult population (aged 15–64 years) of the European Union and Norway, are smoking cannabis on a daily or near-daily basis. CBD is not a controlled substance in Europe.

In the UK, the law says you cannot market CBD products as medicines and sold without a license as ruled by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency).

While all countries in Europe treat possession for personal use as an offence, over one-third of countries do not allow prison as a penalty in certain circumstances.

With the instability in Europe, it is hard to pinpoint each area because of the different laws governing both medical and recreational cannabis use. Here is an overview of 22 countries and their laws as well as the use of CBD in European countries.

Question #3 – Is it difficult to research where your Hemp product comes from?

Check out market reviews on the products you are interested in, finding the best quality and prices. Also, check and see where your product is coming from; for example, it is suggested that Canada produces the best seeds while in China their focus is on fabric. There should be some mention of where they get their seeds.

Remember, you have the right to ask questions.

Question #4 – Does THC transfer or does it cook out while cooking?

THC degrades at temperatures higher than 392 degrees Fahrenheit. When making butter or oils, always use water because the water’s boiling point is 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is worth noting here that raw cannabis contains no THC at all but contains THC-A which is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (source Wikipedia). Therefore, you need some heat. You should use decarboxylation (or heating) to convert it to THC when making butter or oil. I always do mine in a slow oven (about 225 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 45 minutes to an hour).

Question #5 – If there is an opportunity to create medicine and help cure diseases, why not use it for good?

This is a very good question!

The global pharmaceutical trade is liable for the development, production, and promotion of medicines. Worldwide worth at the end of 2019 was $1.25 trillion dollars, U.S. with North America having the largest portion and China showing the most growth. The projected worth in 2023 is over $1.5 trillion. That’s a huge amount of control and revenue!

However, studies have shown that in states with medical marijuana laws in place, prescriptions for painkillers have taken a sharp drop.

With the global Marijuana market hitting almost $31.4 billion, it is not hard to see that the pharmaceutical companies might be feeling threatened; they want to keep their profits. Not hard to understand.

For their part, cannabis users are concerned because they feel the pharmaceutical industry is all about profit and not public health, a concern that appears valid.

I think it is obvious that we are tired of putting our hard-earned money in the hands of Big Pharma and want more control over what we put in our bodies. I am not saying that pharmaceutical drugs do not have a place or that they have not saved lives, but with the rising costs of these drugs, what I am saying is that we are willing to look at other choices. In Canada, for example, we pay more for prescription drugs than almost any other country in the world; we have universal health care but no universal drug coverage, affecting millions of lives.

To get back to the original question, there are many individuals, researchers, scientists, and doctors who feel that CBD/Marijuana is safe and beneficial in treating diseases and medical conditions and are continuously working to validate this. This is one such study.

Question #6 – Marijuana is becoming legal in many places every year, so what cautions should you take in experimenting with it?

I guess this depends on if you are looking for medical or recreational benefits. Since I don’t use marijuana recreationally, I don’t feel qualified to give you advice so I will give my personal thoughts. If I were to experiment with Marijuana the first time, I would be in a comfortable situation with people I trust and care about, such as a very close friend or family member, and would start with just a little. I would also want to know that it came from a reliable source, and how long I could expect the ‘effects’ to last.

I am not a doctor so will not advise you what to do for medical benefits but in my own case, I did a lot of online research, spoke to several people I knew who were using CBD/medical marijuana, considered other alternatives such as pharmaceutical drugs (which I chose not to take because of the side effects involved), and searched out sources of how to get it legally. I also became licensed so I would have controlled amounts and order products from a reputable company. If you can’t get a doctor’s referral, there are places that will help you. My doctor was old school and would not refer me but I was able to find a reputable facility to get me started.

Question #7 – I have heard in passing references to cannabidiol in food products, but I didn’t think they would be seriously incorporating the ingredient into everyday foods such as coffee, ice cream, and baked goods. What is the taste in equivalency to?

CBD or cannabidiol is best taken as is, orally, which is how I take it. Compared to some cough medicines I have taken, this is not unpleasant at all.

As for cannabis, I understand that coffee made with cannabis has a mild grassy flavour. I have tried cannabis in brownies and found them quite tasty because the chocolate’s bitterness counteracts the taste. You could try masking the taste by using pure vanilla, herbs, and spices in cooking. I would think like anything you bake for the first time, you need to experiment with your ingredients.

Final Thoughts

I am sure there are many more questions than answers; hopefully, I have been able to answer these few. With the need for more studies and the issues surrounding the legality of CBD and cannabis, we will continue to seek out more information.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute a legal or medical endorsement. It is up to you to make sure using CBD oil or medical marijuana is legal in your area of residence, whether for medical or recreational purposes.

FDA Disclosure

Do you have questions or concerns regarding CBD or cannabis? Are they legal in your place of residence? Let us know in our comment section. Thanks for stopping by.