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CBD: Its Controversial Use in Medicine
Reprinted with permission from Nevada Reformation August 2020 issue
Case Scenario:
Nurse Nancy has been hearing more frequently that patients and even her own friends are using CBD oil and products for various health issues. She grew up thinking that marijuana was a "party drug" for hippies and that it was dangerous and illegal. Now she's confused about the renewed popularity of CBD and her role in guiding patients for its safe use. She knows it is legal in her own state, but that cannabis use and manufacturing is still a federal crime, which is confusing to her.
If you were Nurse Nancy, do you have enough information to properly educate your patients about CBD? What is your role in administering synthetic cannabis in FDA approved medications? Are all CBD manufacturers the same? How is it regulated? What are the legitimate claims for its effectiveness? If you're like Nurse Nancy, you probably are seeking more information to be more knowledgeable for your patients and friends.
Patients are using cannabis as medication, and so it is imperative that healthcare professionals understand not only the risks and benefits of this herbal medication but also the legal issues involved in its use.
What CBD is and is Not
CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical that is found in the cannabis plant. It is not marijuana, which comes from the whole cannabis plant, but rather an extracted component from the plant that does not contain the psychoactive chemicals.
CBD products are experiencing a boom of interest in recent years in the health and wellness industry as public is seeking "natural" solutions to health problems.
Our own state of Nevada has seen a huge growth as billboards decorate our freeways with signs for stores selling CBD and marijuana products.
Sales of CBD products are expecting to soar 700% in the next few years due to consumer interest estimating $16 billion in sales by 2025 (Dorbian, 2019). CBD manufacturers claim to cure things from the common headache and insomnia to complex issues like diabetes and even cancer. But can it really do that, or is it just clever marketing for "snake oil"? Or worse, is it dangerous to consume and receive?
CBD is the abbreviation for...