What does CBD mean?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol, a terpene compound. It's a molecule in the cannabinoid family, found in Cannabisa plant also known as " hemp ". Discovered and isolated for the first time in 1940 by Roger Adams, like CBG, CBN, HHC, CBC, etc., it is the second cannabinoid making up Cannabis Sativa L (industrial hemp) and Cannabis Indica (Indian hemp). Sold in Europe since 2016, it has become a popular product for many people in just a few years, and especially since 2020, with the covid crisis and confinement, where the CBD market has simply exploded!
What are the effects of CBD?
CBD, unlike THC, does not produce "high" effects. high "or altered perception. What's more, it is not considered addictive and, according to some studies, has numerous therapeutic benefits.
Recognized as non-toxic by WHOit acts directly on the endocannabinoid systema set of receptors partly responsible for regulating certain physiological processes. According to a study published in 2017 by the Department of Immunology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, CBD is believed to balance temperature, acidity and even blood sugar levels in the human body. It also stimulates the production of serotonin, helping to relieve stress, anxiety and insomnia.
We remind you thatCBD is not a drug. medication and is not intended to treat, cure or provide medical assistance. As we are not medical doctors, we cannot advise you to take cannabidiol for therapeutic use. Contact your doctor before starting any new dietary program.
What does the law say about selling CBD?
Les produits dérivés à base de cannabidiol sont faits à partir du chanvre dit « industriel » ou Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa. Il est issu d’un catalogue européen disposant d’un taux important de CBD et d’un taux négligeable de THC (<0,3%). Depuis 2021, l’Union Européene a fait voter une loi autorisant la commercialisation de produits à base de cannabidiol avec un taux de Delta-9-THC inférieur à 0,3%.
Of course, France did try to stop the sale of hemp flowers on December 31, 2021, following an illogical decree hastily published in the Journal Officiel. The decree stated that CBD was authorized as long as the THC content of the product did not exceed 0.3% THC, in order to be in line with the European Union. However, the same decree banned the sale of CBD flowers, regardless of the level of Delta-9-THC present. As a result, all those involved in this flourishing market were in a state of confusion and incomprehension, not knowing whether the ban was effective.
The wait wasn't long. On January 24, 2022, the French Conseil d'Etat overturned the ban on flower sales, without annulling the decree itself. The legal THC level remained at 0.3% THC, and CBD shops were once again fully entitled to sell flowers and, incidentally, hash. It was a fine victory for the entire hemp industry, from grower to consumer.
Hemp: an ancestral art
Hemp is thought to have been cultivated by man since the Neolithic Age (between 8500 and 3000 BC), when Cannabis Sativa, one of the common subspecies of cannabis, was already being exploited. It was used mainly as a textile fiber, but also for its supposed medicinal virtues. It was only in the 20th century, thanks to scientific progress, that its chemical composition was discovered and its molecules isolated. Today, scientists agree that there are over 144 different cannabinoids, the best known being THC, CBDand CBGand CBN or CBC.
How and why use CBD?
CBD can be consumed in a variety of ways. The most popular is flower consumption. Whether by combustion, which we don't recommend, infusion or vaporizer, we're sure there's something for everyone. Cannabidiol is also very popular as a by-product: hash, moonrock, capsules, oils, CBD cream, candies, wax and all so-called food products, including chocolates, sodas, beers... It's also possible to create your own recipes using CBD oils or butters, or even as a spice to enhance your dishes. The possibilities are endless. To tell you the truth, some companies would like to put it in suppositories or tampons.
Cannabidiol, which used to be very much frowned upon, has become a fashionable product that people want to see - or not see - everywhere and all the time, even if it means consuming it for no real reason, just so they can say "I'm taking CBD too". Abuse is commonplace. Before you buy, it's advisable to find out the best way to use it, according to your profile and expectations, so that it can reveal its full potential. Whether you're looking for potent products or inexpensive CBD, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
Hemp flowers
CBD flowers, as mentioned above, very popular - especially with young adults - along with CBD hash, were clearly the products that most democratized cannabidiol consumption. Very often smoked, even though most shops advise against it, they have attracted a very large number of consumers wishing to stop using THC or wean themselves off it, without giving up this habit so dear to them and experiencing that taste they love so much. Of course, the taste isn't the same as cannabis bought on the street or in Amsterdam coffee shops, but over time, the products have greatly improved. And so it is that today, in 2022, some flowers can be considered excellent, even by former THC smokers. The results are quite impressive: the latest surveys estimate that, in just 6 years, 10% of the French population has already consumed CBD, i.e. over 6 million people, and that just under 5% use it regularly.
CBD oils
Unlike hemp flowers, oils have taken longer to become an essential product on the CBD market, but a very large number of people now have a vial in their fridge. Much less appreciated by young people, it's a product aimed at another, slightly older clientele with a negative apriori about cannabis. Indeed, sales in oil form are less characterized than the purchase of flowers. People who are a little reluctant don't feel they're consuming this "devil's plant". Not to mention that it's the perfect product for anyone who wants to enjoy the real benefits of cannabidiol. It's easy to take, and sublingual use (under the tongue) enables rapid absorption via the mucous membranes of the mouth, and without loss, unlike flower consumption which, whatever the method of consumption chosen, results in significant loss of the active ingredient.
Moonrock CBD
A veritable phenomenon, moonrock was unknown to everyone just a few years ago. Only expert cannabis consumers knew about this unique product, created from a blend of materials highly concentrated in CBD: wax, crystals, pollen and flowers. The CBD version differs somewhat from the THC version, but remains a sought-after product for its potency and strong taste.
Today, there are several types of rock, the best known being Moonrock and Sunrock, otherwise known as Asteroids. Their recipe is rather simple: take a flower, "bathe" it in a mixture of wax (and sometimes crystals), then roll it in pollen for moonrock, or in crystals for sunrock. In reality, it's the products used to make it that define its quality.
In addition to these different types, there are also different categories, hard and soft (we're obviously still talking about rock). The recipe remains the same, but the proportions change according to whether the cook wishes to obtain one or the other. Once again, the possibilities are endless and limited only by the imagination of the creator. Nowadays, for example, you can find redrock (red-colored rock), greenrock (green-colored rock), bluerock (blue-colored rock), spacerock (black-colored rock) and so on.
CBD crystals
The crystals CBD crystals are particularly appreciated by consumers who want a powerful (+99% pure), economical and flexible product. This flexibility translates into unrivalled versatility of use. Easily dosed, you can mix it with a wide range of materials. From e-liquid to olive oil and infusions, there's no limit. The only condition is that you always mix it with a fatty substance. CBD is fat-soluble, meaning that it cannot dissolve in water like sugar or salt. This is why it blends perfectly with edible oils.
CBD E-liquids
Now firmly established in our daily lives, e-liquid manufacturers have been quick to embrace CBD, offering their products in hundreds of aromatic varieties. Made (mostly) from CBD isolate, with a base of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine and flavorings, e-liquids were the first CBD products to hit the market in 2016. Kannavape was one of them. The first company to market CBD in France, the courts decided to charge them with drug trafficking following the sale of CBD e-liquids containing less than 0.2% THC. After more than 7 years of proceedings and a referral to the European Court, they finally won their case and all charges were dropped.
For those of you with the soul of a chemist's apprentice, it's possible to buy a PG, VG solution, one or more flavors and crystals on specialized websites to create your own CBD e-liquids and determine the strength that suits you best. Commercially available e-liquids contain between 3% and 10% cannabidion. Above this level, your electronic cigarette's resistance may overheat, but above all, you'll simply be wasting CBD for nothing. The body can't absorb an unlimited amount of CBD, so of course there's no risk of overdose, but consuming e-liquid with more than 10% is apriori pointless.
CBD Cosmetics
CBD creams, combined with other ingredients, are also very interesting. While CBD is not a miracle product capable of solving all the physical problems caused by our sedentary lifestyles, it can effectively treat minor localized inflammations such as itching or acne, or even mild neuropathic pain.
CBD Animals
Our animal friends also need to relax. That's why a large number of specialist stores now sell cannabidiol oils containing between 3 and 5% cannabidiol for our pets. These oils are recommended in cases of stress, agitation and aggression, as well as for pain relief and anti-inflammatory purposes. We have devoted an article to them, to access it click here.
CBD, a daily ally of choice
While research into CBD is still underway to determine more precisely its therapeutic potential, this product has yet to reveal all its secrets. Culturally speaking, this molecule, which seemed to be just a fad to reassure people in need of cannabis, has become much more than that. Today, everyone has heard of cannabidiol. And while some people still believe that it's cannabis, and that you shouldn't go anywhere near it, most French people have realized that CBD can be an ally in relieving everyday aches and pains, or relaxing after a hard day's work.