What is CBD Oil?

Cannabis is a large and extremely fast growing industry. In fact, CBD products are part of what is estimated to be a billion dollar industry in the United States. In May of 2018, the Hemp Business Journal claimed the CBD industry could grow 700% by 2020 to reach $2.1 billion and possibly $3 billion in 2021.

CBD Oil (Cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid constituent of cannabis, derived from hemp, that does not contain THC, and thus is not psychoactive. Unlike marijuana, derived from the cannabis sativa plant and which does contain THC. With the passing of the farm bill at the end of 2018, CBD is now legal federally and in a growing number of countries!

What is the history of CBD?

CBD was first discovered in the 1940s by Roger Adams, a chemistry professor at the University of Illinois. Adams separated the CBD oil from the hemp itself to study its properties and found it had many benefits.

In the 60s, an Israeli chemist, Raphael Mechoulam took the research, further synthesizing cannabinoids — including CBD, THC and others — and describing their chemical structures for future research. Further research continued and finally, the first CBD oil meant for therapeutic use was released by the British Pharmacopoeia.

What is the difference between Hemp & Cannabis?

Today, there are really two simple distinctions:

Hemp – A non-psychoactive plant primarily for use in clothing, paper, biofuels, bioplastics, dietary supplements, cosmetics and personal care products, and foods. Hemp is cultivated outdoors as a large crop with both male and female plants being present to foster pollination and increase seed production.

Marijuana – Cannabis sativa specifically cultivated to enhance its THC content to be used for medicinal or recreational purposes. Marijuana plants are typically grown indoors, under controlled conditions, and growers remove all the male plants from the crop to prevent fertilization since fertilization lowers the plant’s THC level.