Share on PinterestSales of cannabidiol continue to rise as the drug gains popularity. Lucky Project/Getty Images
- A data research firm says that sales of cannabidiol (CBD) could reach $11 billion by 2027.
- Experts say the drug’s popularity has continued to rise since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.
- Research has indicated that CBD may be helpful in relieving symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Experts warn consumers, however, to be wary of some marketing claims about CBD.
Cannabidiol is officially a phenomenon.
Sales of cannabidiol (CBD) products could climb to $11 billion by 2027, up from the already heady 2022 projection of $5 billion in retail sales, according to Brightfield Group, a data research firm linked to in the cannabis industry.
These projections depend in part on whether the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implements regulatory reform. However, even without these reforms, the industry is expected to grow to more than $6 billion by 2027.
This is a rapid increase in the cannabis-derived compound since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. Hemp is defined as cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) and cannabis derivatives with low concentrations of the psychoactive compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
“I think CBD became so popular because it was the first non-intoxicating cannabinoid to become federally legal and widely accessible,” said Dr. Jeff Chen, founder of the Cannabis Research Initiative in Los Angeles at the University of California and member of the health line medical advisory board.
“Cannabinoids are compounds found only in the plant kingdom of the cannabis plant and interact with the human endocannabinoid system. THC is the main intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis and is still federally illegal,” he explained to Healthline. “Cannabis/THC has been a hot topic in the US for many years, but consumers may not use it because of the intoxicating effect, or workplace drug testing of THC, or the inability to legally access their status.”
While many states have since legalized the medical or recreational use of cannabis products, CBD products are increasingly sold in states even where cannabis use is illegal.
CBD products come in tinctures, salves, pills, gummies and oils and often promise all the benefits of medical cannabis without the intoxicating effects or potential legal complications.
But while CBD has become popular, the hard science of its actual therapeutic benefits is still emerging.
“The initial popularity has been driven largely by media and marketing hype and anecdotal accounts of its benefits, not proven science,” Dr. Mark H. Ratner, chief scientific officer of the nutritional science company Theralogix. “There are many studies underway to evaluate its effectiveness in various medical conditions and the best practices for achieving that effectiveness. As these studies are published, and assuming the data are favorable, the results will be reported by the media and consumer interest should continue to grow.”
To date, the only CBD product approved by the FDA is Epidiolex. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy in children, which has spurred further studies into the potential neuroprotective effects of CBD oil.
But this application was a watershed moment for many researchers.
“Many people, including myself, were very inspired to see how children with severe forms of epilepsy benefited from CBD, especially because the traditional pharmaceutical model had failed them,” said Chen.
Preliminary research has also found that CBD may be helpful in alleviating symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, addiction, psychosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.
Meanwhile, other studies have shown promising results for using CBD to relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation. These studies have not yet involved human participants.
Also, CBD appears to be essentially a safe supplement.
“There have been human studies testing CBD up to 1,000 mg daily, which has been found to be generally well tolerated and safe. Common side effects of CBD include gastrointestinal upset and lethargy,” Chen said.
“However, certain types of individuals need to be careful with CBD,” he continued. “Those taking prescriptions with a grapefruit warning, such as certain blood thinners and anticonvulsant medications, should avoid CBD, as grapefruit and CBD interact similarly with medications.”
While CBD is unlikely to harm most consumers, experts warn that people should be wary of some manufacturers’ more outlandish claims.
“Some of the more enthusiastic, but less responsible, sellers of CBD have claimed benefits in a wide range of serious medical conditions, for example, autism, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke, et cetera,” Ratner told Healthline. “Other than benefit in seizure disorders, there are no studies to support most of these claims of benefit in serious medical conditions.”
Daniele Piomelli, Ph.D., the director of the Center for the Study of Cannabis at the University of California Irvine, agreed.
“Most claims, unfortunately, are driven by marketing rather than data,” he told Healthline. “Some are even funny, like claiming that CBD-infused pillows give you a good night’s sleep or that a CBD latte relieves stress.”
Chen had a more optimistic outlook.
“As we study CBD more, we will better understand the conditions that CBD can actually benefit and the appropriate doses needed,” he said.
