The History of CBD
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, can feel like a modern addition to the wellness industry. After all, CBD didn’t gain significant popularity until fairly recently and has only just begun to receive much-needed research into its potential. The CBD industry has made incredible progress in recent years, completely changing the way we understand how cannabis interacts with our bodies, but where did it all begin?
To understand our modern relationship with CBD, we can first look back to our historical relationship with hemp and its role throughout history.
The History of Hemp
Hemp, the term for cannabis plants grown for purposes other than intoxication or medicine, can be traced back centuries as a staple crop for many cultures. Originating in central Asia, the hemp plant made its way around the world and was primarily grown for textile purposes. Hemp is a very fibrous plant, making it excellent for materials like paper, threads, and fabrics. Its use and cultivation can be traced back 10,000-12,000 years ago when the idea of agriculture first began.
This hemp is different from the marijuana we know today, which is selectively bred to increase the THC content of the plant. Much like the crops we consume every day are genetically modified and selectively bred versions of other plants, hemp underwent a similar transformation to become marijuana. For example, Teosinte is the original version of the corn plants we know today. Marijuana was created by similar means from the hemp plant.
Marijuana became a subject of social discourse in the 20th century, which eventually trickled down to hemp production as well. In 1937, the Marihuana Tax Act attempted to restrict all production of hemp and related products through heavy taxation. This law was motivated by a variety of factors, such as business competition pinning hemp as a threat, activists fearing the psychoactive properties of marijuana, and a general lack of research or knowledge about cannabis. This law halted the early growth of cannabis in the United States, delaying its research and development.
CBD and THC are Discovered
Despite the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, CBD was first isolated in 1940 by a man named Roger Adams. He discovered cannabidiol, or CBD, and was one of the first people to begin to understand the cannabis plant despite not knowing it at the time.
His work was followed up by a man named Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli scientist who first isolated THC in 1964, 20 years after Roger Adam’s discovery. Mechoulam is to this day one of the most renowned names in cannabis science.
Both of these people began the process of cannabis research that would later develop into the understanding of cannabis we have today. Mechoulam went on to do more research on the compounds he had discovered and revolutionized our understanding of cannabis with his research.
Marijuana Becomes Illegal, but More Progress is Made
While Mechoulam was making incredible discoveries in Israel, the United States had a very different outlook on the future of cannabis. The 1970s marked a difficult time for cannabis research in the United States, as marijuana and all other cannabis products were labeled as schedule one drugs under new law. This made it very difficult for the scientific community to continue research on cannabis, but it did not entirely stop.
Our first understandings of the Endocannabinoid System, or ECS for short, were discovered by Americans Allyn Howlett and William Devane in 1988. They were able to discover a CB2 receptor in a mouse, and if there were receptors for cannabinoids in the body, the body must naturally produce some as well. This led to more groundbreaking research about how our bodies respond to cannabis and why, as well as endocannabinoids, or cannabinoids that are naturally produced by the body. Howlett and Devane discovered that we don’t just react to cannabinoids, our bodies have a natural relationship with cannabinoids and a whole internal system just for them.
Overcoming Old Stigmas and Stereotypes
Despite all of this new research, cannabis still had a long way to go in becoming the wellness supplement we know it as today. It wasn’t until the early 2000s, more than 40 years after Mechoulam’s THC discovery, that CBD began to pop up in the news and online as a possible treatment for certain ailments. People using CBD were sharing their stories about the plant and how it had helped them in a variety of ways. People began to see cannabis in a new light, especially the non-intoxicating CBD option.
In 2014, hemp was legally defined as cannabis with a THC content of .3% or lower, and the CBD products we all know now became legal in the United States. Hemp production was no longer stifled by heavy taxes, and the plant began to enter the market soon after.
Where CBD is Now
In 2022, CBD products are common and relatively easy to come by. Many people use them for a variety of reasons, and we are still discovering exactly what we can use it for.
The cannabis industry is huge, and with marijuana now legal in many states across the US, the stigmas and stereotypes around it are changing as well. But with this new market, there is still a lot to be unsure about.
Cannabis is not as well regulated as other wellness products or THC products, which makes it easy for new businesses to enter the market with products that aren’t high quality or ethically produced. It can be difficult for consumers to determine the good from the bad.
But, things are changing. Consumers are more conscious of the CBD they use than they were in 2014, and companies that focus on education and transparency are helping consumers be more knowledgeable about the CBD products they consume.
More and more research about CBD is happening, and we are continuing to expand our knowledge of CBD. There is still much more to learn, but we are watching the CBD industry expand rapidly and develop. There is much more to come.
How to Learn about CBD
To learn more about CBD and reputable products, we recommend you read more of our blogs and take a look at our FAQ. You can also view our products and their lab testing results to learn about ethical, high-quality CBD products and what to look for.
Any questions? Ask us! Reach out on our contact page.
