What is CBD? Learn more about the product gaining popularity

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Around Marquette, signs advertising cannabidiol, OR “CBD” are popping up outside businesses. Even Family Video sells CBD products.

“It’s kind of the Wild West with CBD right now, which is probably a reason why people are apprehensive. It’s brand new to really be on the market, so it’s really confusing to a lot of people,” said CBD advocate and seller, Becky Simmons.

CBD became legal to sell last year, when the Farm Bill legalized hemp as an agricultural product, removing hemp from the Controlled Substances Act.

“It’s legal in Michigan to sell and purchase CBD products that are hemp-derived and under 0.3 percent THC. So it’s not going to have the psychoactive effect that some people might be looking for with marijuana, so it’s not in that category,” said Simmons.

THC is the psychoactive chemical found in cannabis plants.

As long as the THC amount is under 0.3 percent, a CBD product can be bought without a medical marijuana license.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only regulates one medicine made up of CBD that is used to help severe forms of epilepsy. Other CBD products are not regulated.

“You can get a lot of things on the market that are not good for you and who knows what’s even in that, so you want to be really careful,” Simmons added.

A common misconception on CBD, said Northern Specialty Health Owner, Penny Milkey, is that CBD will get someone “high” like regular marijuana.

“CBD is non-psychoactive. They’re not going to get the high they experience from something that has a low dose of THC in it. It’s not habit forming, it’s not going to hurt them,” Milkey said.

Simmons added that another misconception of CBD is that you must smoke it in order to feel the potential benefits.

“There are other ways to consume it, and so for me, I orally ingest oil, so that’s a misconception that a lot of people have,” she said.

Simmons also said people should talk to their doctor before using CBD. She also said that anyone with questions on CBD can email her at becky@906cbd.com.

In part two of this series, TV6 & FOX UP will look at the benefits of CBD and more.