Cannabidiol, a substance extracted from marijuana without psychoactive effects
Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the chemical components found in the Cannabis indica plant, better known as marijuana. Unlike another compound from the same plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is found in Cannabis sativa, CBD does not have psychotropic or addictive effects; That is, it does not produce the “high” characteristic of marijuana consumption.
CBD can come in different formats, such as oils, creams or drops, and can be easily purchased on platforms such as Amazon. It has also become famous because the World Anti-Doping Agency removed it from the list of prohibited substances at the beginning of last year, ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, which will be held at the end of July 2021.
The use of CBD has generated a lot of controversy around the world, as its sellers claim that it has numerous health benefits, such as relieving the symptoms of diseases as varied as epilepsy, diabetes, insomnia, multiple sclerosis or even schizophrenia. However, in Spain the Police seize all products that contain CBD and are intended for food.
What do health authorities think about cannabidiol?
The legal situation of CBD is very confusing, since it depends on each country and each international organization. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers that CBD “is not a controlled substance in itself,” as it does not appear to be harmful to health or cause dependence. However, this only implies that “its production and supply are not subject to strict international controls.” The WHO only issues recommendations, not standards, so each country must regulate CBD at its own discretion.
On the other hand, CBD for medicinal use is prohibited, according to the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which dates back to 1961 and which includes “cannabis extracts and tinctures” among controlled substances. Although the WHO suggested that the UN lower the level of control of marijuana, the United Nations has not modified the restrictions.
Is cannabidiol legal in Spain?
The answer to this question is not simple, since CBD lies in a gray area between legal and illegal. CBD is not regulated as a food supplement, so it cannot be sold for human consumption. Nor is it included in the “list of authorized food supplements” of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS).
The only things that can be marketed are products derived from hemp seeds, as long as their THC content is less than 0.2%. CBD is considered a new food and, to sell it as a food supplement, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition reminds that an application must be “submitted to the European Commission […] and, after evaluating the risk by the European Safety Authority (EFSA), the corresponding decision will be made whether to authorize or not.
The only way in which CBD can be marketed in most European Union countries, including Spain, is as an ingredient in cosmetic products. These must clearly indicate on their label that it is a product “for external use only.”
Why are there companies in Spain that manufacture products with CBD for medicinal use?
In mid-2020, the company Medalchemy, which belongs to a company from Great Britain, but is located in the science park of the University of Alicante, obtained authorization from the AEMPS to manufacture medicinal products with cannabis extracts. The company to which it belongs, Emmac Life Sciences Group, markets different cannabis extracts, including CBD.
But just because you can produce in Spain does not mean that your products can be sold in the Spanish market. In fact, everything this company produces is destined for export, because the sale of cannabis for medicinal use is prohibited in Spain.
What therapeutic properties does cannabidiol have?
It has been claimed that CBD could serve as a medicine to treat many ailments, but the truth is that there is not enough scientific evidence to support it. The Comprehensive Natural Medicines Database places CBD at the third level of effectiveness: it is “possibly effective” in treating seizures caused by epilepsy, Sturge-Weber syndrome, and febrile infection epilepsy syndrome. The WHO recommends caution and, although it recognizes that CBD “may have some therapeutic value in epileptic seizures and related diseases,” it reminds that more scientific research is needed.
Regarding its benefits for the treatment of other diseases, ranging from Crohn’s disease to withdrawal syndrome, including diabetes, not enough studies have been carried out to obtain conclusive results.
Some claim that CBD can eliminate social anxiety disorder. Given the lack of scientific evidence, remember that in Siquia we have a team of psychologists who can help you reduce anxiety.
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