Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a topic of great interest in recent years, not only in health and wellness spaces, but amongst the general public as well. The growing attention for CBD is mostly credited to the fact that it’s found in hemp and cannabis plants. As of 2024, weed is still illegal in the UK and many other parts of the world, so the widespread use of CBD products has inspired many questions about how CBD can be legally sold.
By looking at the history of CBD, we can understand how people have been interacting with cannabis plants for centuries and how CBD products came to be. This article serves as a gateway to explore the diverse chapters of CBD’s history, shedding light on its usage, perception, and legality have evolved throughout the ages.
When did this botanical compound first catch human interest? How did it come to re-enter the modern wellness sphere? Let’s find out:
Ancient Use of Cannabis
The history of cannabis stretches back thousands of years, with evidence of its use found in ancient cultures across the globe. Paleobotanical studies posit that cannabis existed in Central Asia over 11,000 years ago. Researchers suggest that, as ancient societies used cannabis plants as fibre for nets, ropes, and paper (as well as cannabis seeds for cooking oil), they slowly discovered the psychoactive effects of the plants and began harvesting them for their potential health benefits.
Cannabis has been used for its medicinal properties across several ancient cultures, but the oldest known written record of its use in medicine can be found in sacred Hindu scriptures, called the Vedas. In the Vedas, cannabis is known as “bhang,” and the Vedic texts describe it as a sacred plant and a gift from the gods. Bhang was consumed in religious ceremonies and believed to have healing properties, according to the texts. Many scholars believed that the Vedas were written around 1,500-1,200 BCE.
Hemp in The New World
In colonial North America, hemp plants were an extremely important crop, but not because of their psychoactive effects. Instead, they were used for textile fibre. They became the leading crop for that purpose until the invention of cotton. Hemp plants were so important, in fact, that in the 1630s, it became illegal to not grow hemp in Connecticut, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Farmers that did not comply with this law were either fined or sent to jail.
19th and Early 20th Century
In 1839, William O’Shaughnessy, an Irish physician and scientist, had a pivotal role in introducing cannabis to Western medicine. This marked a significant turning point in the understanding and exploration of the plant’s medicinal properties in the West.
William O’Shaughnessy was serving as a medical officer in the British East India Company in colonial India. During his time there, he encountered the use of cannabis in traditional Indian medicine and witnessed its effects first-hand. Intrigued by its potential, he embarked on a series of experiments and studies to better understand the plant’s properties and its possible applications in Western medicine.
O’Shaughnessy’s ground-breaking research on cannabis resulted in his publication of a comprehensive study, titled “On the Preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah” in 1839. Because of his research, cannabis gained recognition within Western medicine and opened doors for further scientific exploration and clinical trials, influencing the trajectory of cannabis research.
U.S. Pharmacopeia includes cannabis in their listings from 1850 to 1942
In the mid-19th century, cannabis had gained attention for its therapeutic potential. As such, its use in various medical preparations was becoming more widespread.
Recognizing its medicinal value, the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) included cannabis in its listings in 1850, officially recognizing it as a legitimate medicine. From 1850 to 1942, the inclusion of cannabis in the USP marked a significant period of recognition and acceptance of cannabis as a medicinal substance in American healthcare.
Scrutiny and Social Shunning of Cannabis into the 20th Century
The journey of cannabis from a widely used plant to its prohibition in many countries is a complex story influenced by social, political, economic, and cultural dynamics. First, it’s important to note that once the United States became independent and England no longer forced states to produce hemp for fibre, harvesting the plant grew out of fashion. With the invention of cotton replacing hemp as a textile fibre, it was side-lined as a low-value string or twine, and it simply wasn’t profitable anymore.
As the 20th century progressed, there were remarkable shifts in societal attitudes towards drugs. This was fuelled by concerns over public health, morality, and racial biases. This was matched with an increasing focus on synthetic pharmaceuticals, which brought about changes in cannabis policy and regulation.
At the time, the most prominent effort to make cannabis illegal was employed in the 1930s by Harry J. Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He played a significant role in influencing public opinion through his sensationalised campaigns against cannabis. Anslinger focused on associating cannabis with racial stereotypes and crime, exploiting fears and prejudices to urge for its prohibition. The growing concerns about drug abuse and addiction led to increased scrutiny and, ultimately, the decline of cannabis as an accepted medicine in the United States.
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 and International Restrictions
As a result of Anslinger’s efforts, the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was introduced in the United States to criminalise the possession, sale, and cultivation of cannabis. The act imposed strict regulations and heavy taxes on cannabis products, making it financially burdensome and difficult to obtain legally. This legislation, supported by racial prejudices and misinformation, set the stage for the eventual global prohibition of cannabis.
Following the United States’ lead, international efforts to control cannabis gained momentum. The United Kingdom participated in these international drug control efforts, despite cannabis not being a widely recognized issue there.
Still, the UK signed the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961. This treaty classified cannabis as a Schedule I substance, categorising it with a high potential for abuse and limited medical value. This classification put pressure on UN members, including the UK, to enact stringent laws against cannabis. Later, with the Controlled Substances Act of 1971, the UK would place further restrictions on cannabis-related substances.
Discovery of CBD
CBD was discovered in 1940 by Roger Adams, an American chemist. Using various extraction techniques, Adams isolated CBD from a sample of cannabis sativa. He then analysed its chemical structure and determined that it was a non-intoxicating compound different from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis.
Adams’s discovery of CBD in 1940 was significant, because it marked the identification of a unique cannabinoid with potential therapeutic properties. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that scientists began to uncover some of the possible benefits of CBD.
Raphael Mechoulam synthesised CBD in 1963
In 1963, an important milestone in the study of CBD occurred when Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam and his team successfully synthesised CBD for the first time. This was a weighty step forward in the study of cannabinoids, because it provided researchers with a pure and reliable source of CBD, eliminating the variability and impurities that can be present in plant-derived extracts.
This newfound ability to produce CBD in a lab enabled Mechoulam and others to conduct detailed studies on its properties and effects. Mechoulam’s subsequent research on CBD and other cannabinoids paved the way for a deeper understanding on how the body interacts with cannabinoids.
Further Research into CBD
The 1980s and 1990s witnessed a resurgence of scientific interest and research in the field of CBD. This was, in part, due to the Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act of 1978, which was a bill released in New Mexico that allowed the study of cannabis. Thirty-three states followed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and soon, medical cannabis became legal in California in 1996.
Building upon earlier discoveries and advancements in CBD research, scientists focused on the potential benefits of CBD during this period and made numerous discoveries, each significant, such as:
- The discovery of a cannabinoid receptor in 1988, proving that the body produced cannabinoids naturally
- The discovery of the 2-AG and anandamide in 1992, two of the major cannabinoids produced by the body
- The identification of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) within the human body
CBD Awareness in the late 2000s
In the late 2000s, CBD awareness began to gain traction in the United Kingdom, as an increasing number of individuals and organisations worldwide recognized its potential benefits. During this period, several factors contributed to the rise of understanding and interest in CBD within the UK.
First, the growing body of research conducted from the 1980s to the 1990s highlighted the potential of CBD. Then, the increased availability of CBD products on the market played a crucial role in raising awareness. As consumer demand grew, a variety of CBD-infused products, such as oils, capsules, and topicals, began to emerge.
The internet and social media also played a significant role in spreading CBD awareness. Online platforms provided a space for discussions, testimonials, and information sharing, allowing individuals to learn about CBD and share their personal experiences. Soon, the UK began to adopt a more progressive stance toward cannabis and CBD during this period.
CBD Classified as a Novel Food in the UK
As CBD gained mainstream attention and availability, concerns arose about its potential risks, quality control, and labelling accuracy. So, CBD was classified as a novel food by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA). This classification meant that CBD manufacturers and distributors had to submit applications for authorization, complete with scientific evidence to prove the safety and quality of their CBD products.
The novel food status of CBD led to increased regulation and oversight of the CBD industry. It has encouraged responsible manufacturing practices, quality control, and accurate labelling of CBD products. As a result, consumers have greater assurance on the safety and authenticity of CBD products they purchase.
Farm Bill Legalises Hemp-Derived CBD in the United States
The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill in the United States marked a turning point for the legality of hemp-derived CBD products. The Farm Bill was signed on December 20, 2018. This legislation removed hemp from the list of controlled substances, which, in effect, created up opportunities for hemp cultivation and made CBD more accessible to consumers.
Since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the CBD market in the United States has experienced significant growth. Scientists have also been able to explore the properties of CBD more extensively.
CBD Legalisation in the UK
In 2018, the UK government reclassified some cannabis-derived medicines, making CBD products with less than 0.2% THC legal, so long as they follow FSA regulations. The UK’s approach to CBD regulation emphasises consumer safety, accurate product labelling, and quality control.
The legalisation and regulation of CBD in the UK has allowed for the growth of the CBD market and increased consumer access to CBD products like oils, capsules, and vape pens, creams, gummies, both online and in physical stores.
Conclusion
It has been a long journey for CBD to appear in the products consumers use daily. From the vilification of cannabis and its discovery in the 40s, to the plethora of research done in the 90s, to its eventual legalisation, CBD has experienced many hurdles and triumphs.
Since the mid-2010s, the global CBD market has flourished in both the US and UK. The increased accessibility, consumer acceptance, and diverse product offerings have contributed to its significant growth. As consumer demand continues to rise, and the industry evolves, the CBD market is poised for further expansion and development.
