While still a newcomer in the market, cannabidiol or CBD, as it is popularly known, is on its way to becoming a celebrated product today. CBD is one of the numerous compounds isolated in hemp and cannabis plants. The many therapeutic benefits associated with CBD has led many to refer to CBD-infused products as one of the newest trends for online products.
Too big to fail?
Today, CBD is available in several forms. Some of these include topicals, infused edibles, tinctures, and more. The CBD industry has seen outstanding growth, so much so that industry analysts believe the market valuation of CBD in the United States is bound to hit $21 billion in the next four years.
The fact is that there is much that can be gained from the CBD industry. This has encouraged numerous people to research on how to sell CBD online. This, however, does not mean the CBD industry is not fraught with its own challenges, particularly when you consider the legal problems that might come with it.
However, the potential it brings outweighs any challenges you may face. If you are interested in opening an eCommerce store with the sole purpose of selling CBD online, there are some facts you have to know about CBD: what it is, what it is derived from, and any legal concerns surrounding its use and sale.
What exactly is CBD?
CBD is a cannabinoid, a compound that exists in hemp and cannabis plants. Most people are aware of the other cannabinoid, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which causes intoxication. Unlike THC, CBD does not give out any feelings of intoxication, rather it got its name due to its therapeutic benefits.
Products containing CBD typically get produced in various stages. Raw materials have to be cultivated and then harvested. Once that is done, CBD is then taken out from the hemp plant using a number of different methods.
Most producers selling CBD online tend to outsource this process to a company capable of extracting it. The extracted CBD compound can then be sold either by infusing it in products or on its own as a concentrate. The majority of CBD products available for sale today include things such as creams, infused edibles, gels, and sublingual tinctures.
CBD: Hemp vs Cannabis
There does seem to be a bit of confusion on where CBD can be extracted, particularly with individuals new to selling CBD online. This is because CBD can be found in the hemp plant and the cannabis plant. This means it is possible to extract it from both plants to make CBD products.
Nevertheless, there’s a major difference between CBD derived from hemp and that gotten from cannabis. The major difference is that industrial hemp has a maximum of 0.3% THC content, and that makes it legal for cultivation, harvesting, and sale under U.S. federal law.
CBD derived from cannabis tends to have THC content that exceeds the mandated 0.3% threshold. It is for that reason that CBD derived from cannabis is illegal. It is also important to remember that cannabis is still illegal under federal law, even if states have made allowances for personal use. In all, you cannot legally sell CBD products derived from marijuana, as they would fail to meet the legal definition of CBD.
