Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in marijuana, and it can be derived from hemp or from non-hemp plants. Hemp is defined as any part of the cannabis sativa plant with no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering substance in marijuana. Cannabis and hemp plants contain CBD and THC, along with more than 540 other substances. The main difference between the two plants is the amount of each compound they contain; cannabis contains more THC and less CBD, while hemp contains more CBD and less THC.
Hemp oil is made by cold pressing hemp seeds to obtain an omega-rich culinary oil, while CBD oil is made by extracting the CBD compound from the leaves, flowers and stems of a hemp plant. Both hemp oil and CBD oil have their own health benefits. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis products. CBD lacks the euphoric properties characteristic of THC, which is the main psychoactive substance in marijuana.
The FDA has not approved a request to commercialize cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition, but it has approved one cannabis-derived drug and three cannabis-related drugs. These approved products are only available with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. The FDA has also issued warnings about products claiming to contain CBD that are marketed for therapeutic or medical uses without being approved by the FDA. These products have not been proven to be safe or effective, and they can put patients at risk.
The FDA encourages research on the medical use of cannabis and its derivatives, so that safe and effective products can be brought to market. It is important to conduct medical research on the safety and efficacy of cannabis products through appropriate and well-controlled clinical trials. The FDA will continue to facilitate the work of companies interested in adequately bringing safe, effective and quality products to the market.
