Consumer Interest in CBD is at an All-Time High

A new study shows that internet searches for Cannabidiol (CBD) have increased exponentially over the last few years. The study conducted at UCSD shows that searches for the curious substance have risen by 126% from 2016 – 2017; and 160% from 2017 – 2018. By year-end, it is expected to grow by another 118%. 

Google searches are a key metric in determining public interest in a relative topic, with the usual top contenders including vaccination, veganism, exercise, and marijuana. CBD has since surpassed all of these, leading researchers to conclude that Americans have developed a keen interest.

Following the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD was officially legalized in all 50 states. This sparked a massive explosion of CBD products into the market, with numerous stores now stocking the non-psychoactive substance. 

While CBD has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating epilepsy, that is the only official approval it has received thus far. CBD is often cited as being a catch-all treatment for a variety of health issues including anxiety and pain. A quick search online will have you finding thousands of anecdotal reports of people finding great success using CBD to treat their health issues, despite the lack of scientific evidence linking it as being an effective treatment.

With the general public’s increased interest in the chemical’s effect on the body, researchers conclude that there should be a greater push for to determine its purposes and interactions. The authors also call for a better system to ensure CBD products are not mislabeled and adulterated, a problem that is currently plaguing black market THC products.