After the federal government legalized hemp, a Cannabis Sativa plant, companies rushed into the cannabis landscape to create a wide variety of products. CBD or cannabidiol is one of the most popular compounds derived from hemp. It is an anti-inflammatory and non-psychoactive compound which means while it helps alleviate the symptoms of many diseases, it does not produce hallucinations or give the user a “high” like THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.

CBD quickly gained popularity because of its non-psychoactive nature and alleged health benefits. Many people use CBD products to relieve stress, pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, back pain, muscle injuries, inflammation, etc. CBD is also known to help combat life-threatening diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, epilepsy, and Tourette.

While CBD has been a massive success in the United States, the Federal government and other law enforcement agencies have been keeping stringent guidelines to minimize the illicit cannabis market and ensure safe products in the market. Up until now, CBD oil was only available in pharmacies on prescription, or online or in brick and mortar stores, where the quality can’t always be guaranteed.

Amophar, a Belgian pharmaceutical company, is rolling out a new CBD based product. The managing director of Amophar, Maxime Costa said that they already have nearly 100 points of sale. He said that the product is legally still in the grey zone. While they may say that the user can take one or two drops thrice a day in the Netherlands, they have to put a “not fit for consumption” label in Belgium.

Mieke Leroy, a pharmacist, said that over the past year, the demand for CBD products has visibly increased but CBD needs to be available in pharmacies and not on streets. He further added that pharmacists are professionals who can guide and advise customers on the usage of cannabidiol and that they know about the customer’s medical history so they can ensure a better quality service, however the same cannot be gained from a CBD store under any circumstances.

Amophar buys CBD in the form of powder from the U.S. and mixes it with coconut oil in Belgium. Costa said that legally, there’s no statute for their product, it’s not a drug. But they still produce it as if it were a drug to ensure safety. Moreover, their product contains a minimal 0.025% of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive substance in marijuana, which is way less than the permitted 0.2%.

CBD-Phar is manufactured in a pharmaceutical environment and it is analyzed by an independent and accredited laboratory. This way, they offer a reliable alternative to CBD stores, where buyers can never be guaranteed about the purity and safety of the product, said Costa.

Many times products contain a higher amount of THC level than what is legally permitted. But with Amaphor, the products are tested by a third-party laboratory and given a certificate to ensure the products are safe for use. The certificate proves that the company produces legal products without exceeding the threshold for THC or the amount of CBD that is permitted, Costa added.

Jan Tytgat, a toxicologist said that proponents say CBD helps in fighting chronic pains, epilepsy, spasms and much more. While there’s little evidence that backs up the claims of CBD and how it improves the overall health of users, it isn’t a placebo either. Both THC and CBD have proven pharmacology. Based on the current research and proof, it seems that CBD would work better when combined with THC, more than the permitted 0.2%. So basically, a drug containing both CBD and THC would have higher potency and better effect than a product containing only CBD.

However, the psychoactive effects of THC have put law enforcement agencies and governments across the world in flux. Research is being conducted to explore more about CBD and how it works with different pharmaceutical drugs. While some people have entrusted CBD to be a life savior and using it to combat severe ailments like cancer, others are still skeptical about how it works.

From CBD tincture to CBD oil, capsule, isolate, gummy bears, chocolates, creams, soft gels, dietary supplements, beverages, and pet products, CBD is available in a variety of shapes, form, and potency. Customers are recommended to check the label of CBD products to verify what substances have been used to make the product and ensure that it is analyzed and certified by a third-party laboratory.