In the past, there was much concern surrounding teenagers consuming marijuana. But as of the last few years, a new and exciting substance is gaining a lot of traction among teens. Enter cannabidiol (CBD).
CBD is an active ingredient in cannabis derived from the hemp plant. One of hundreds of compounds in cannabis, CBD does not cause a “high,” has a good safety profile, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “In humans, it exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.”
As such, CBD is a safer and healthier alternative to regular marijuana. There are various ways to consume CBD, such as oils, capsules, and vapes. The most popular product among teens is CBD edibles, which provide a fun and tasty way to experience CBD’s effects, such as these CBD edibles by PureKana.
Can Teens Legally Buy CBD Edibles?
For adults, finding and accessing CBD edibles is easy across the U.S. But what about teenagers? Well, it depends on what state you live in.
While the federal government has not put age restrictions on purchasing CBD products, some states have taken it upon themselves to do so. While some states have no CBD age restrictions at all, others require you to be 18 years or older, and some have a 21 years or older limit.
No matter if you’re an adult or teen, CBD must originate from hemp rather than marijuana since marijuana remains federally illegal.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and its derivatives, including CBD. Hemp is classified as a species of the cannabis sativa plant that contains 0.3% or less of delta 9 THC – the intoxicating cannabinoid responsible for making users high. If the plant contains more THC, it’s classified as marijuana.
The Hype of CBD Edibles Among Teens
While it’s difficult to say precisely why CBD edibles have become so popular among teens, we can make assumptions based on several reasons.
For starters, CBD edibles are a lot more discreet than marijuana. There’s no “weedy” smell, so teens are free to eat them at school or home without being detected. Everyone will assume that they’re eating a regular brownie or candy.
CBD edibles are also a great alternative for teens wanting to avoid being marijuana users. There are numerous benefits to using CBD, such as stress relief and mood support, and you won’t get high. This appeals to many teenagers, especially those who want to reap the benefits of cannabis but don’t want to be “stoners.”
Also, CBD edibles are appealing to those who don’t smoke or are concerned about smoking. Typically, females are more likely than males to choose edibles over tobacco, likely because they don’t want to smell like marijuana smoke.
But whether male or female, teens now are more aware of the risks of smoking and don’t find it as appealing as teenagers did twenty years ago. As such, they’re turning to edibles rather than smoking and vaping.
CBD can be added to various foods like, for example, gummies, brownies, and chocolate. Therefore, there are lots of options for teens to choose from when looking for CBD edibles.
The Wellness Benefits of CBD Edibles
CBD has the ability to produce the benefits of cannabis without the high. It provides therapeutic effects without the side effects typically associated with marijuana – especially for pain, stress, and anxiety.
Although there are several ways to take the cannabinoid, CBD edibles appeal to teens because they’re fun, social, and delicious. Many teens and young adults are using CBD edibles as a homeopathic remedy for depression, anxiety, pain and to boost productivity.
CBD is all-natural, making it an excellent alternative to over-the-counter and prescription drugs that come with many unwanted side effects. Some may even be addictive and dangerous. On the contrary, CBD has a high safety profile, is non-addictive, and has few side effects.
Final Thoughts
CBD is becoming increasingly popular, not only among teens but adults too. It’s a natural remedy for several symptoms, including stress, pain, and low mood. It’s a much safer alternative to traditional medications and comes with few side effects.
While there are various ways to take CBD, CBD edibles are popular among teens because they taste good and are fun to use. Moreover, they’re discreet, so nobody will even know they’re consuming CBD – they will think it’s just a regular edible.