Cannabidiol: Then and Now (The History of CBD)

3 min


CBD now has not only become more popular but also more accessible, due to gained knowledge of its natural soothing effects and possible promotion of wellness. Now available online and in stores across the country, cannabidiol has many uses that have created a booming CBD market.

To understand CBD market growth and the future of CBD, it’s important to know CBD history as well as its many forms and uses.

What Is Cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol or CBD for short is a naturally occurring compound extracted from the hemp plant. It’s well known for its calming results, and because it is different from THC, it does not produce psychoactive effects.

CBD is often found in oil form, but it is also put into tinctures, gummies, balms, and other products. Cooking with cannabidiol is gaining popularity, and it’s more common than ever to pick up a cup of CBD-infused coffee. The compound is even available in a number of pet products.

The Past

Although it may seem like a recent fad, the history of CBD oil goes way back. From its origins to its evolution into a therapeutic product, CBD oil history proves that the compound can be more than just a passing trend.

The history of CBD is much longer than you may think, beginning almost 60 years ago.  However, this is not to be confused with the history of the cannabis plant itself.

Discovery of CBD

It was way back in 1940 when British chemist Robert S. Cahn reported findings of an individual cannabidiol structure. While this was not the first research conducted on cannabis, it was the first identification of cannabinoids’ existence within the plant.

In 1942, a Harvard graduate chemist named Roger Adams unknowingly extracted cannabidiol from a sativa plant for the first time. It wasn’t until years later that Adams and his colleagues began researching CBD.

Dr. Walter S. Loewe’s research in 1946 marks the beginning of “modern CBD history.” Loewe’s research revealed that CBD does not yield psychoactive effects.

But it is Dr. Raphael Mechoulam that is usually credited with discovering CBD in the same year by identifying its three-dimensional structure. After continued research throughout the 1960s, British Pharmacopoeia released the first cannabidiol product for therapeutic purposes.

The Present

Cannabidiol is more common than ever. From CBD water to lotions to edibles, the CBD oil market boasts a diverse variety of products to choose from. From food and beverage to health and beauty, much of the CBD market size is thanks to the wide range of appeal of this compound.

Today, you can find cannabidiol in pure oil form, in lotion, in gummies, and even in coffee. Tinctures and oils are especially useful for anyone who wants to cook with cannabidiol.

CBD’s most attractive qualities are its calming properties, which can help soothe both physical and mental stress. There are even claims that taking CBD can help promote general bodily and mental wellness. Many cannabidiol consumers are also very drawn to the compound as a natural treatment that reacts organically with the human body’s built-in endocannabinoid system.

Current Market for CBD

CBD market research attributes the rapid growth of CBD products over the past five to ten years to its increased availability. Entrepreneurs have tried their hand at marketing cannabidiol, creating new products and innovations.

The cannabidiol market is booming, boasting impressive projected growth. The numerous products on the market, from lotions to oils to edibles, allows CBD to cover various marketable fields.

The Future

The Future of CBD looks bright. As cannabidiol becomes more and more mainstream – becoming available and accessible to nearly everyone everywhere – more and more people are excited to innovate with the compound. 

While many small businesses are currently at the helm of the CBD oil market, drugstore chains like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy are projected to lead the market by 2023. Cannabidiol is likely to gain mainstream popularity and circulation by this time.

Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving to create regulations for CBD, which will actually boost the market. Because cannabidiol is viewed as a medicinal drug in the eyes of the FDA, companies currently cannot add the compound to food or beverage products. Once more distinctions are made regarding CBD’s various uses, stocks will skyrocket.

Market Analysis About CBD

A recent CBD market analysis reports that the U.S. cannabidiol market is expected to reach $20 billion in sales by 2024. This includes cannabidiol in all areas – from the fields of cosmetics to health and wellness – and sold everywhere, whether online or in stores.

This same report showed that the cannabidiol market is largely driven by consumers with an average age of 40 and full-time jobs. This may be attributed to CBD’s popularity as a product that can relieve stress and related symptoms.

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