5 Reasons Why CBD Oil is in Such High Demand
According to a 2016 market estimate published by Vote Hemp and the Hemp Business Journal, the hemp CBD oil market was worth an estimated $130 million in that year – and it continues to grow. Why is CBD oil in such high demand? Here are five very important reasons to consider.
#1 – Declines in Negative Social Stigma
Since the marijuana industry started growing tremendously just a few short years ago, marijuana has been legalized in numerous states for medical and/or recreational use. At the time of writing, nine states along with the District of Columbia allow for legal recreational use, and almost every state allows for at least limited use of medical cannabis. This alone has helped to decrease the negative social stigma surrounding marijuana and its non-psychoactive cousin, hemp.
#2 – CBD Oil is Safe and Just as Effective as Some Pharmaceuticals
Numerous studies have shown that marijuana, which certainly is psychoactive to varying degrees, offers numerous medical benefits. What’s more, these same studies have proven that marijuana has far fewer negative side effects than most pharmaceutical medications, particularly when it comes to the treatment of seizures. CBD oil is even safer than marijuana; because it contains virtually no THC, it is non-psychoactive. This means that it offers many of the same benefits of marijuana, but because it cannot get users high, it is safer for them to consume.
#3 – CBD Is Affordable Compared to Prescription Drugs
Patients who have no health insurance or limited health insurance coverage often find pharmaceutical treatments for everything from glaucoma to epilepsy incredibly expensive. Some patients are used to forking over $1000 or more each month just to pay for prescriptions that ease their symptoms and provoke a plethora of unwanted side effects. When compared to pharmaceutical options, CBD oil is much more affordable, and in many cases, it is just as effective when it comes to providing relief – if not more so. Some patients find that CBD oil provides better relief from seizures and nausea than any pharmaceutical drug they have tried.
#4 – Hemp is Natural & Sustainable
CBD oil comes from the hemp plant, which has been cultivated for food, paper, clothing, and more around the world for thousands of years. It is related to the marijuana plant, but it does not have the THC content that sets cannabis apart from hemp. CBD oil is a 100% natural extraction, and it comes from a crop that is considered sustainable. This means that almost every part of the hemp plant can be used in some manner, it grows quickly, and it does not damage fertile farmlands.
#5 – Legality
Finally, the legality of CBD oil is arguably the biggest driver of demand. Though medical marijuana is legal in some way in most states throughout the country, many people still have a hard time getting it or paying for it. What’s more, those who do have access to affordable medical marijuana often use it more sparingly than they should due to the psychoactive effects. This is especially true for individuals who take care of children, work outside the home, or drive frequently. CBD oil provides relief from numerous symptoms, but it does so without causing drowsiness or a “high”, which means it is legal in all 50 states.
The demand for CBD oil continues to grow, and people across the country continue to purchase it to relieve a variety of medical symptoms or even help with depression and anxiety. All five reasons listed above continue to drive its popularity, and the industry is expected to continue growing as more people discover the benefits of CBD oil.
