You may be wondering where CBD products suddenly came from when a few years ago, they were almost non-existent. You may know it is derived from the cannabis plant but are unfamiliar with how CBD became federally legal. It helps to understand the product’s genesis and how it came into existence in America.
American hemp History
Cannabis has been used medically for years. However, the English countries grew it for the fiber found in hemp. Hemp was a cash crop in the Americas after the revolution, and it dropped many economies, including those of Virginia and Georgia.
However, a century later, hemp growing took a complicated turn, with groups of activists in the 20th century seeking to outlaw the crop. Their target was marijuana which has intoxicating effects. Their efforts bore fruit since, in 1937, legislation restricted the type of hemp that could be grown and sold.
Early Years of CBD
Despite the restrictions now imposed on hemp, researchers continued to work on the findings of CBD. Test and research uncovered the versatility of this product. During such research, CBD, an isolate from the plant, was discovered. This marked the turning point in hemp research, and more discoveries were made years later by other scientists.
Tests were then done on both CBD and THC, with mice and rabbits being used for monitoring effects. The tests formed the foundation of the research on CBD and other cannabinoids in later years. Documentation on the effects of CBD began back then.
However, due to limited resources and equipment, most views regarding CBD remained the same for over two decades until 1960, when another breakthrough was made.
CBD Stands Out
After the successful criminalization of hemp, CBD reached a standstill in America. However, scientists did not stop their efforts with the plant. Efforts to isolate cannabis continued 100 years after active ingredients were discovered in morphine and cocaine. By 1964, v, a scientist dealing with cannabis made his first breakthrough. They separated CBD and THC, allowing them time to study the two compounds separately.
It was after this discovery that testing of CBD began on primates. This was when THC was found to be intoxication and CBD wasn’t. This discovery made Raphael become the father of cannabis. Yet, while CBD research was making great strides in Israel, America continued to classify and schedule substances considered to have no medical value.
ECS Discovery Because of CBD breakthrough
While CBD and other cannabinoids were discovered as active components of cannabis, it was still not understood how they worked. However, later, the first cannabinoid receptor was discovered by Americans Allyn Howlett and William Devane in 1988 after research on a mouse.
This led to an increased interest that more receptors were soon discovered. Since the receptors were produced within the body, endocannabinoids were coined. This led to the discovery of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in humans. As a result, more research was done on the endocannabinoid system and its significance in regulating body functions.
CBD makes it to the Mainstream
It was in the mid-2000 that CBD was fully embraced in the medical world after it was used to treat Dravet Syndrome, a form of severe epileptic disorder in children. The success led to the development and approving a CBD drug called Epidiolex, marketed to help kids with Dravet syndrome.
This helped many Americans embrace CBD and not just view it from a bias of intoxicating substances. However, since then, much legislation has been passed to control the quality of the hemp plant and the products that find their way to the market.
The Dilemma of CBD’s Future
While the legislation challenge is long gone in the current times, the bigger issue remains the lack of regulation in the CBD industry. One mistake from a company can jeopardize the entire industry. Therefore, one must consider the following aspects when purchasing CBD products.
- Quality. Only buy from reputable sellers with checks and balances in place.
- Variety. It can be confusing to choose from the many available products. Make sure to do extensive research.
- Transparency. Companies producing high-quality products have nothing to hide. Remember that when you ask for a specific detail, you don’t get it.
Consumers need to take care of where they buy their CBD products from. Ask for certification. Alternatively, buy from reliable vendors such as Smoke Alley Shop if you are in Houston, TX.