With the cannabis industry exploding more and more every day, it is hard to keep track of what each product is, where to buy it, and even a product’s legal status. CBD-isolated cannabis products have gained extreme popularity within the last few years, as consumers are non-consumers alike are beginning to understand just how beneficial this compound truly is.
CBD is tricky, though. Because it doesn’t contain the psychoactive or inhibiting effects of the marijuana plant, many places globally have legalized products like CBD oil long before flower or other concentrates. In Canada, the stipulations surrounding legalized cannabis in the Cannabis Act are strict, but CBD oil is legal both medically and recreationally within the country. This means that obtaining this relieving oil is relatively easy for citizens, allowing for an alternative method of pain relief without harmful or uncomfortable side effects.
If you’re interested in what CBD oil is and its role in Canada’s Cannabis Act, we have everything you need to know about the natural medication and where to get some for yourself.
What Is CBD and CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, and it’s one of the main chemical compounds found in cannabis. Though there are hundreds of compounds, CBD is abundant in cannabis and most widely known for its alleviating properties. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD doesn’t produce psychoactive effects, so it is now being utilized more than ever for medical complications of all severities. CBD oil itself, then, is made by isolating the calming compound along with other natural plant oils and terpenes. The plant material itself is destroyed, leaving behind only the compounds you want to be showcased in your oil.
Even though CBD and THC are both presents in marijuana, there tend to be higher levels of CBD in the hemp plant. Hemp also has minuscule amounts of THC compared to marijuana, making it even easier to isolate and ensure no trace amounts of other compounds. CBD oil can be added to food or beverages for effect, or placed directly above or beneath the tongue. The method of consumption is purely a personal preference.
The Widespread Benefits of CBD
Over the past few years, CBD’s popularity has made it a household item. From all age ranges to every type of background, people everywhere are utilizing the beneficial effects of CBD oils and other products. But, why?
Though it’s been proven to help myriad health complications, CBD is overwhelmingly effective in helping with mental and neurological disorders. When used not as a treatment but as extra support, the anti-psychotic properties of CBD have the potential to provide relief for those struggling with anxiety disorders, depression, and even PTSD. Along with its antipsychotic properties, CBD has also been found to have powerful anti-epileptic properties, making it a natural form of seizure medication. Those with severe sleep disorders, too, benefit from CBD’s effects.
Cannabidiol doesn’t only target imbalances in the brain, but throughout the whole body, as well. CBD’s anti-inflammatory components allow for full-body alleviation of aches and pains, all without experiencing the psychoactive effects of THC. Helping to fight against nausea and to stimulate appetite, CBD allows for all types of consumers to enjoy their daily lives without having their disorders or complications define them.
Canada’s History with Cannabis
Canada initially legalized medical cannabis for qualifying patients back in 2001. Since then, cannabis’ popularity has risen exponentially, almost becoming commonplace for Canadian citizens to enjoy. To keep up with this growth and demand, along with an attempt to control illegal drug trade for those without medical cards, Canada chose to legalize cannabis both medically and recreationally in mid-2018.
However, amendments are being made to Canada’s new Cannabis Act as we speak. When it first came into effect, the act exclusively legalized the sale and production of dried flower and oils only. This meant that bud along with THC and CBD oils were the only cannabis products allowed to be sold on dispensary shelves. For Canadian citizens, this was not sufficient.
Beginning mid-October of 2019, Canadian lawmakers decide to permit the sale and production of other concentrates, extracts, edibles, and more, amending their Cannabis Act.
Buying CBD in Canada
In the past, the regulation of CBD in Canada has been a confusing debate, with lawmakers not distinguishing the differences between CBD and THC. Today, CBD products are completely legal under the Cannabis Act and can be bought by of-age Canadian citizens.
If you’re a Canadian citizen looking to purchase CBD oil, buying it from licensed producers is crucial. CBD oil and other CBD products can be found at gas stations, smoke shops, and even grocery stores, but these are not products to be trusted. These oils are not made by licensed manufacturers, so their extraction and production processes are completely unknown. There are hundreds of licensed producers throughout Canada, and they will only continue to expand with the growth of the cannabis industry. These shops have the legal permission to manufacture and sell both hemp and marijuana-derived CBD products, and the choice is entirely up to you which you want to try.
When it comes to choosing what type of CBD is best, it can get confusing with how many products are available. For CBD oils, you typically have the choice between full and broad-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD oils don’t just contain CBD, but they have all of the cannabinoids found in the plant. With these, there is the potential for trace amounts of THC, but they also tend to be better tasting and create better relief. Broad-spectrum CBD products, however, are made specifically to isolate CBD and celebrate that cannabinoid specifically.
Trying CBD For Yourself
With Canada setting the tone and pace for cannabis legalization, CBD’s popularity is only going to continue to grow across the globe. If you’re in Canada, purchasing your CBD products from licensed shops exclusively is the only legal (and safest) route, guaranteeing you’re getting the highest-quality CBD oil possible.
It is important to keep in mind that CBD and CBD oil affects every person differently, and dosages should be specific to you and you only. Shop around to find the CBD product that works best for you.
