Author: daryna muravenko

Illinois might not be the first state you think of in association with cannabis, but it’s certainly on the map. Adult-use cannabis sales in the state reached $1.5 billion in 2022¹, spurring an overall adoption of cannabinoids, including non-intoxicating compounds like CBD and CBG.

It has a population of nearly 13 million, and it’s home to one of the biggest cities in the United States. Illinois shouldn’t be overlooked when considering locales to start a hemp business, especially with the freedom offered by white labeling. Learn the ins and outs of starting and operating a hemp business in Illinois to determine whether it’s the right path for you.

Illinois cannabinoid legality overview

– Illinois is home to both an adult-use and medical cannabis program
– Cannabis plants can also be grown indoors in Illinois in locked rooms
– Limit of 5 cannabis plants per home
– Illinois was one of the first states to allow hemp cultivation
– The Illinois Hemp Pilot Program² went into effect in 2015
– The Illinois Industrial Hemp Act³ followed in 2018
– This marked the expansion of an already thriving project
– The Illinois Industrial Hemp Program is currently undergoing a major retrofit
– Illinois hemp cultivation applications are filled out online
– Products must be tested through state-approved labs
– Licensing is not required to sell hemp products, only for cultivation and processing

Which cannabinoids can I sell in Illinois?

In Illinois, no distinction is generally made between cannabinoids that are not THC-adjacent, such as CBD, CBG, and CBN. Where things get more complicated is in the case of THC-adjacent compounds like THCA, delta 8, and HHC.

Under federal law, these substances are also generally considered to be “industrial hemp” since they contain less than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the only substance strictly considered to be “marijuana” under federal law anymore.

The massive proliferation of cannabinoids like delta 8 within Illinois has led to significant controversy. Delta 8 became popular in the state originally due to sky-high prices at medical and adult-use dispensaries. Then, public outcry emerged over the regulation and safety of delta 8 products.

Most recently, cannabis reform legislation in Illinois was hamstrung⁴ in 2023 by internal disputes over whether to regulate delta 8 as cannabis or attempt to ban it outright. Our advice to anyone seeking to enter the Illinois cannabinoid market is to steer as far clear of this ongoing debacle as possible by sticking to strictly approved cannabinoids like CBD.

Can I grow hemp in Illinois?

Yes, hemp cultivation is legal in Illinois as it is everywhere else in the United States due to the 2018 Farm Bill. Illinois has, in fact, been leading the way in hemp cultivation since 2015, when the state enacted a pilot hemp horticulture program far before most others.

Illinois then echoed the 2018 Farm Bill by explicitly allowing hemp cultivation with its Industrial Hemp Act. Perhaps more than any other state, Illinois provides legal provisions making it abundantly clear that hemp cultivation is allowed within its borders. Reasonable restrictions do apply, however.

Do you need a license to grow hemp in Illinois?

Yes, proper licensing is required for hemp cultivation in Illinois. Failure to register your hemp cultivation operation with the state could lead to fines and legal injunctions, especially if your crop is confused with marijuana. Illinois makes it reasonably easy to apply for a hemp cultivation license online.

Illinois hemp licensing process

To apply for a hemp cultivation license in Illinois, follow this simple workflow:

1. Navigate to agr.illinois.gov/plants/industrial-hemp
2. Scroll almost all the way to the bottom, or search within the page for “Forms and Applications”
3. Choose the correct form, and click the link
4. You’ll now provide various details through an online form
5. It’s possible to save your progress at any point
6. Pay all relevant fees, and submit the form
7. Await the decision of the Illinois Department of Agriculture

How much does an Illinois hemp license cost?

Compared to other states, the price to acquire an Illinois hemp license is relatively abstruse. We’ll break it down below:

– A $100 application fee is charged for each submitted application
– Grower license fees are as follows:
– 1-year license: $375
– 2-year license: $700
– 3-year license: $1,000

Note how Illinois allows for licensing periods of up to three years, a significant departure from the procedures followed by most other states. A slight price break is given for longer licensing periods to incentivize growers toward three-year licenses.

Is the Illinois climate good for hemp cultivation?

Illinois is an acceptable climate for growing hemp. As part of the Great Plains region and also proximate to the Great Lakes, Illinois experiences extreme seasonal weather, making it ideal for hardier crops like corn.

Cannabis can be grown during one annual cycle in Illinois, limiting output compared to multi-crop climates like California and the Carolina coast. Regardless, cropland is abundant within the state, and transportation throughout is aided by a generally flat landscape, facilitating the shifting of goods from outlying rural areas to urban centers.

How to launch a hemp business in Illinois

If you want to start a hemp business in Illinois, you’ll need to go through a lengthy series of steps. Some of the requirements are natural, but others are imposed by the state of Illinois. Here’s the general process laid out as simply as possible:

1. Acquire hemp cultivation licensing from the Illinois Department of Agriculture
2. This process will entail quite a few steps, such as:
3. Proving you have sufficient commercial space;
4. Demonstrating a comprehensive business plan;
5. Staying in compliance with all certification and regulatory procedures.
6. If you application is approved, you may begin operations
7. It will be necessary to hire employees, acquire farmland, and build out your processing facility
8. Many of these steps can be skipped by acquiring your hemp raw material elsewhere and simply processing it or formulating it into finished products in Illinois

Benefits of white labeling CBD in Illinois

In Illinois as in most other places in the nation, hemp cultivation and processing licenses are separate. If you intend to process hemp but not sell it, both a cultivation and processing license are not required — just a processing license.

Furthermore, if your hemp raw materials arrive in a pre-processed state, you don’t even need a processing license. Simply combine bulk, white-label CBD extract with other ingredients to formulate products, and sell them in Illinois without any licensing whatsoever.

The other choice is to work with the state of Illinois as they hold your hand through a lengthy regulatory process. Decide which approach is best based on the needs of your particular business.

Summary: Should I start a hemp business in Illinois?

Illinois presents its own unique set of opportunities for hemp businesses. While there are challenges, as with any state, a deep understanding of the landscape can position a hemp or cannabinoid business for success in Illinois.

There’s certainly enough private investment to go around. Chicago is an old-money epicenter, and international investment continues to pour into Illinois year after year. CBD and cannabinoids in general are a hot topic in the adult use-saturated Illinois market, making it easy for cannabinoid brands in the state to reach customers.

For hemp cultivation, different regions offer varied advantages. Our advice is to set up shop in Illinois for access to the Chicago market and investment opportunities but to have your cannabinoid ingredients shipped in from a more suitable climate like Oregon.

Illinois hemp business FAQs

Focus in on the details of operating a hemp business in Illinois with this FAQ section:

Is it legal to sell hemp in Illinois?

Yes, it is legal to sell unprocessed or partially processed hemp products in Illinois in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill and the Illinois Industrial Hemp Act. Any commercial or private entities doing so must first register with the state. These restrictions are not in place for sale of finished products containing CBD or other hemp cannabinoids.

Do you need a license to sell hemp in Illinois?

Yes, it is legal to acquire licensing if selling hemp that was grown or processed in Illinois. This restriction only applies to hemp products that were cultivated or processed in the state in accordance with the Illinois Industrial Hemp Act. Imported hemp products are generally exempt.

Do you need a license to sell CBD in Illinois?

No licensing is required to either buy or sell CBD in the state of Illinois. CBD is not a controlled substance, and as a finished product intended for consumer sale, it does not fall under the state’s definition of a hemp product cultivated or processed in Illinois. Individuals who wish to sell finished CBD products in Illinois should understand that no licensing from the state is required whatsoever aside from any general business licensing that would otherwise apply.

How much is a hemp license in Illinois?

In Illinois, acquiring a hemp cultivation or processing license can cost anywhere between $475 and $1,100. There is a $100 application fee for all hemp applications, and license pricing varies depending on the duration of the licensing window.

Sources

1. Adult use cannabis sales figures released for April 2023. (n.d.). https://idfpr.illinois.gov/news/2023/auc-sales-figures-april-2023.html

2. Illinois General Assembly – Illinois compiled statutes. (n.d.). https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072005500K15.2

3. 505 ILCS 89/ Industrial Hemp Act. (n.d.). https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3910&ChapterID=40

4. Thomas, S. S. (2023). Delta-8 Dispute Gets In Way of Illinois Pot Reform. High Times. https://hightimes.com/news/delta-8-dispute-gets-in-way-of-illinois-pot-reform/

If you only consider cannabinoids when unraveling the mysteries of cannabis, you’re only looking at one side of the puzzle. Just as important are terpenes — far more volatile, but also vastly more aromatic than cannabinoids. Terpenes may be more like cannabinoids than we give them credit for, though: Find out exactly what terpenes are and compare the most popular terpenes in this guide.

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are volatile, aromatic compounds found in Cannabis sativa and a variety of other plant species throughout nature. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find any plant that does not contain any terpenes at all. These compounds are among the primary flavoring and aromatic agents used in nature, and in cannabis, they’re responsible for the delectable bouquet that accompanies each distinct strain.

Where do terpenes come from?

Terpenes naturally emerge during the maturation process in many plants. The moment that a plant begins to give off an aroma during maturation, it’s likely that terpenes are beginning to develop.

Even common flavors in herbs are present due to the presence of terpenes. Mint leaves taste minty, for instance, due to the presence of menthol — a terpene¹.

The development schedule of terpenes is different in each plant. Mint leaves have a mint flavor right from the start, for instance, while terpene production doesn’t begin in cannabis in earnest until the flowering phase begins.

Theories regarding the origins of terpenes vary. What’s clear is that these exceedingly simple compounds contribute a great deal to the complexity of our olfactory and culinary sensibilities as human beings.

What chemical structure do terpenes have?

Unlike cannabinoids, terpenes do not share a common basic structure. While usually quite simple in structure, terpenes span a vast array of different individual structural traits. Some feature cyclic rings while others do not. Still other terpenes consist of chemical pairings so unusual that the mysteries of nature distinctly deepen.

The end result, though, are flavors and aromas so potently sensate that it’s no understatement to say the world would be benighted by their absence. Such a vast body of human creative inspiration has been drawn from terpenes, and it also seems that these compounds have a power to heal that goes beyond merely smelling and tasting good.

What do terpenes do?

Despite their wildly varying structures, terpenes appear to universally exert some degree of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The exact ways in which these benefits are exerted vary from terpene to terpene, but it’s a genuine mystery of science that terpenes almost always work to reduce bodily inflammation and stress while also contributing aromatic and culinary benefits.

Are terpenes the same as cannabinoids?

No, terpenes are quite a bit different from cannabinoids. That’s not to say they don’t also share similarities — we’ll compare the two categories of compounds in detail below:

Source

Cannabinoids and terpenes are both found in cannabis. While cannabinoids are only found in Cannabis sativa, however, terpenes are also found in many other plants. Both cannabinoids and terpenes are usually naturally derived rather than synthesized, but it’s possible to synthesize both types of compounds if desired.

Structure

Cannabinoids all share a common “mold” or overall structure regardless of how individual cannabinoid structures may vary. The same cannot be said for terpenes, which run the gamut of structures. The structures of most terpenes are comparatively simple, however, while cannabinoids have larger structures with greater molecular mass.

Effects

In some cases, the effects of cannabinoids and terpenes can nearly overlap. The terpene caryophyllene, for instance, acts as a cannabinoid² in the brain and peripheral nervous system.

Generally, though, the simple structures of terpenes are not capable of eliciting the complex neurochemical reactions caused by cannabinoids. Considerable changes to perception are rare with terpenes despite the fact that cannabinoids in the THC family exert psychoactive properties so profound they can only be described as intoxicating.

Legality

There are significant legal and regulatory differences between terpenes and cannabinoids. Put simply, terpenes are not generally regulated in any meaningful way while some cannabinoids are federally illegal drugs.

Until recently, any unique compound that came out of cannabis was generally considered to be equal with THC for regulatory purposes. With the 2014 Farm Bill, however, a separation began between THC and other cannabinoids that culminated four years later in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

Assuming all goes according to plan, a new Farm Bill should be due in 2023, which will hopefully push the regulation of cannabinoids further forward. All cannabis-specific compounds are still contextualized for regulatory purposes by their association with THC, however — an association that terpenes never had to begin with.

Safety

When ingested at or near the concentrations naturally available in cannabis and hemp, there do not appear to usually be any considerable dangers associated with using terpenes or non-intoxicating cannabinoids. It should be mentioned, however, that terpenes are considered volatile compounds and may combust if improperly stored. In a production sense, at least, terpenes are considerably more dangerous to handle than cannabinoids.

9 common & popular terpenes

Both as standalone ingredients and as additions to cannabinoid products, terpenes have skyrocketed in popularity over recent years. Familiarize yourself with the top 9 terpenes and their aromas below:

1. Limonene

– Found in Citrus fruits
– Potential Effects: Anti-inflammatory³, pain relief, focus & energy
– Flavor & aroma profile: Citrusy, sharp, sour, floral

2. Myrcene

– Found in: Mangoes, hops
– Potential Effects: Antioxidant, sedation⁴, pain relief
– Flavor & aroma profile: Dank, lush, murky

3. Caryophyllene

– Found in: Peppers, cloves
– Potential Effects: Anti-inflammatory, pain relief, CB2 activation
– Flavor & aroma profile: Spicy, peppery, cinnamon

4. Pinene

– Found in: Conifer pine needles & sap
– Potential Effects: Anti-inflammatory, neurocognitive, respiratory⁵
– Flavor & aroma profile: Pine, mint

5. Linalool

– Found in: Lavender
– Potential Effects: Pain relief, antioxidant, sedation⁶
– Flavor & aroma profile: Floral, sweet, lavender

6. Terpinolene

– Found in: Fruit trees
– Potential Effects: Relaxation, antioxidant, pain relief
– Flavor & aroma profile: Pine, citrus, other terpenes

7. Eucalyptol

– Found in: Eucalyptus trees
– Potential Effects: Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular benefits⁷
– Flavor & aroma profile: Eucalyptus

8. Borneol

– Found in: Ginger, thyme, other herbs
– Potential Effects: Pain relief, antioxidant, drug enhancement⁸
– Flavor & aroma profile: Camphor, sharp, balsamic

9. Nerolidol

– Found in: Ginger, jasmine, tea tree, and more
– Potential Effects: Sedation, antioxidant, antifungal⁹
– Flavor & aroma profile: Jasmine, lemongrass

How to use terpenes in products

Terpenes are increasingly in demand as ingredients in cannabinoid products. Shoppers are becoming aware that terpenes are naturally present in cannabis, and they do not believe they are getting the full cannabis experience without the presence of terpenes.

Generally, shoppers prefer cannabis-derived terpenes. However, botanical terpenes (meaning terpenes from non-cannabis sources) can usually be substituted without any reduction in product quality. To ensure that quality remains maximized, botanical terpenes should be mixed by a competent producer.

Terpenes can be added to tinctures to improve their flavor and effects. They can be added to topicals to make them naturally aromatic. Terpenes can even play a role in cannabis mints and tablets — the options are endless.

Summary: Are terpenes important?

Though they have historically been overlooked during the development of the cannabis industry, it’s certainly starting to appear that terpenes are just as integral to the beneficial effects of cannabis as cannabinoids.

Not only is cannabis stripped of its most flavorful and aromatic parts when terpenes are omitted, but its benefits are also purposelessly limited. While they might be perfectly fine as therapeutic substances on their own, cannabinoids seem to only reach their full depth of expression when accompanied by terpenes.

As time goes by, adding terpenes will become standard practice in the cannabinoid industry. Start incorporating terpenes into your products today rather than waiting to be swept away by this mounting trend.

Terpene FAQ

Finish out our inquiry into terpenes with these answers to common questions:

1. Are terpenes sativa or indica?

Terpenes are neither indica nor sativa in themselves, but they are nonetheless the compounds that cause indica or sativa effects in cannabis. By combining in hundreds of unique ways, terpenes elicit specific effects in cannabis that have been identified as “indica” or “sativa.” Without terpenes, all strains of cannabis would be roughly the same in terms of flavor, aroma, and even effects.

2. Are terpenes good for you?

All terpenes researched so far appear to offer at least some degree of beneficial effects in the human body. Even more impressively, not a terpene has been discovered that appears to be entirely bad for human beings.

That doesn’t mean you should consume terpenes at will, thinking they will always be good for you regardless of the circumstances. Only use professionally formulated products made by certified and trusted terpene manufacturers.

Sources

1. Kamatou, G. P., Vermaak, I., Viljoen, A. M., & Lawrence, B. M. (2013). Menthol: A simple monoterpene with remarkable biological properties. Phytochemistry, 96, 15–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.08.005

2. Aly, E., Khajah, M. A., & Masocha, W. (2019). β-Caryophyllene, a CB2-Receptor-Selective Phytocannabinoid, Suppresses Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of Antiretroviral-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Molecules, 25(1), 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25010106

3. Vieira, A. J., Beserra, F. P., Souza, M. H., Totti, B., & Rozza, A. L. (2018). Limonene: Aroma of innovation in health and disease. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 283, 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2018.02.007

4. Surendran, S., Qassadi, F., Surendran, G., Lilley, D., & Heinrich, M. (2021). Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? Frontiers in Nutrition, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666

5. Surendran, S., Qassadi, F., Surendran, G., Lilley, D., & Heinrich, M. (2021). Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent? Frontiers in Nutrition, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666

6. De Moura Linck, V., Da Silva, A. J., Figueiró, M., Caramão, E. B., Moreno, P. R. H., & Elisabetsky, E. (2010). Effects of inhaled Linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behavior in mice. Phytomedicine, 17(8–9), 679–683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.002

7. Seol, G. H., & Kim, K. Y. (2016). Eucalyptol and Its Role in Chronic Diseases. In Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (pp. 389–398). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41342-6_18

8. Zhang, Q., Fu, B. M., & Zhang, Z. (2017). Borneol, a novel agent that improves central nervous system drug delivery by enhancing blood–brain barrier permeability. Drug Delivery, 24(1), 1037–1044. https://doi.org/10.1080/10717544.2017.1346002

9. Bezerra, C. F., De Alencar Júnior, J. S., De Lima Honorato, R., Santos, A. T. L. D., Da Silva, J. B., Da Silva, T. R., Leal, A. C., De Freitas, T. S., Vieira, T. A., Rocha, J. E., Sales, D. L., Filho, J. F., De Sousa, G. R., Pinheiro, A. P., Ribeiro-Filho, J., Coutinho, H. D. M., Morais-Braga, M. F. B., & Da Silva, T. G. (2020). Antifungal Properties of Nerolidol-Containing Liposomes in Association with Fluconazole. Membranes, 10(9), 194. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10090194

Just like humans, most pets are equipped with endogenous systems designed to handle cannabinoids. That doesn’t mean, though, that CBD products for pets and humans are exactly the same.

In most cases, there’s no danger in using a CBD product that isn’t explicitly designed for your species. Man and beast alike, though, both benefit from using the products that are best for them. In this guide, learn the differences between CBD products made for pets and humans, and find out how to correctly determine CBD dosage in any animal.

CBD use in mammals

As a class of animals, all mammals are equipped with endocannabinoid systems. This is an endogenous system of neuroreceptors and signaling compounds that mainly processes body-generated, cannabinoid-like substances like anandamide¹.

When mammals ingest cannabinoids, their endocannabinoid systems are activated, leading to a relatively typical response across species. Of course, peculiarities of biology vary between mammals, leading to commensurately varied responses. Overall, though, all mammals are equipped with roughly similar systems for handling cannabinoids, usually making it acceptable to share these unique cannabis compounds with pets.

CBD use in humans

The safety² and basic usage parameters³ of CBD in humans are now reasonably well understood. Scientists have been gathering evidence regarding the usefulness of CBD in humans for more than 70 years, and this research has accelerated massively in the era of the online CBD industry.

Put simply, most people can tolerate reasonable doses of CBD reasonably well. Initial research indicates that CBD remains well-tolerated in excess of 1500mg per day, which is the average dose contained in an entire CBD tincture product.

Overall, CBD usage in humans does not appear to pose any considerable danger, and it may offer impressive benefits. Our understanding of the usefulness of CBD in humans has helped us better understand how this substance might also be of use in other animals.

CBD use in pets

Noting the effectiveness they experienced when using CBD, owners began giving CBD to their pets. Almost immediately, hundreds of pet owners took to social media and product review pages to rave about the incredible results they’d witnessed in their animals.

Dogs with anxiety could now be left alone, remaining relaxed when their owners returned home. Neurotic cats would finally leave heat spots alone. Some pets even seemingly defied serious illnesses, securing markedly improved quality of life.

Not all pets react to CBD the same, however, and all pets handle CBD at least a little bit differently than humans.

CBD use in non-mammal animals

Cannabis researchers have concluded that some form of an endocannabinoid system exists in every animal on earth except insects and protozoa⁴. This means birds, lizards, and even fish have endocannabinoid systems that might be impacted by CBD usage. The overall physiology of non-mammal animals is so different, however, that it would be prudent to consult with a veterinarian before going any further.

Types of CBD products for humans

The human-oriented face of the CBD industry has recently consolidated into a handful of popular product types. Alongside tinctures and capsules, which have always enjoyed roughly the same degree of relative popularity, CBD shoppers have welcomed edibles like gummies and topicals like lotions or salves. We’ll discuss each of the major types of CBD products used with humans below:

Tinctures

Also known as CBD oils, CBD tinctures are the original products — they’re what made CBD popular, and they still serve as the backbone of the modern hemp industry. Shoppers love the simplicity of ingredients and pinpoint dosing offered by tinctures.

Topicals

CBD topicals have primarily become popular among two groups of customers — people managing chronic pain and those focused on preserving beauty or preventing aging. Over the last decade, chronic pain sufferers have looked on with guarded hope as thousands of testimonials to the pain-fighting efficacy of CBD appeared online.

More recently, the apparent antioxidant benefits of CBD have attracted the attention of beauty-focused individuals as well. CBD facial serums and moisturizers have proliferated particularly well, and while sometimes admittedly overpriced, cannabinoid-infused cosmetic products appear to have genuine benefits.

Edibles

In recent years, CBD edibles like gummies have shot ahead to become some of the most popular online cannabinoid products. It’s unclear why it took so long for this product category to reach its full potential, but whatever the case may be, shoppers now flock to the delicious convenience of CBD gummies and similar edibles, which cover up the taste of hemp oil while also making every dose of cannabinoids into a sweet treat.

Capsules

CBD capsules remain popular even though gummies now also present a viable alternative to tinctures. For some, the advantages of CBD capsules remain unassailed: The ingredients are as simple as possible, there are no spikes in blood sugar to worry about, and taking CBD is just as easy as taking any other daily pill. Cannabinoid capsules are nothing fancy, but that’s precisely the point.

Inhalants

There are two primary ways that people inhale CBD: vaping and smoking. Vaping is when you vaporize cannabinoids before inhalation with a device such as a vape cartridge or disposable vape pen. Smoking is a more-familiar practice that involves fully incinerating cannabinoid-bearing plant material prior to inhalation. Noting that both methods of using cannabinoids are currently untested.

Types of CBD products for pets

Now that we’ve covered the primary ways humans use CBD, it’s time to turn to the methods chosen for their pets;

Tinctures

Just as is the case with humans, tinctures are the most popular CBD product given to pets. This approach might seem like quite the undertaking, but owners have developed a variety of ways to give pets tinctures orally:

• Simply holding the mouth and facilitating swallowing
• Adding the tincture to food
• Allowing it to absorb into a treat
• Dosing the dog while asleep

Topicals

Pets are like humans in that some conditions are best treated topically. In the case of heat spots, for instance, some owners apply CBD lotions or salves directly to the affected area. Of course, applying CBD topicals becomes much more difficult in situations where fur is still present.

Treats

Humans have edibles, pets have treats. CBD-infused dog treats are all the rage among owners these days, and CBD treats for cats are also catching on. Chances are that if there’s a pet, there’s a CBD product that has been designed with its species in mind.

Infused toys

If you look hard enough, you’ll come across CBD-infused chew toys for dogs sold online. These products are invariably of questionable quality and safety, though, and serve more of a novelty function rather than providing any genuine value. It is advised to consult with a veterinarian prior to giving this product to your pet.

CBD dosage in humans

Giving CBD to humans and pets isn’t exactly the same. Below, we’ll start by taking a look at proper dosing considerations in humans and then move on to pets.

Average dosing by weight

There is no universally determined ideal daily dose of CBD by weight. It has been suggested, though, that a daily range of 1-50mg/kg (milligrams-per-kilograms) of CBD is acceptable with an ideal daily range sitting somewhere closer to the 1-3mg/kg mark.

For context, an average adult male weighs around 60kg and a female weighs around 50kg. As a result, an ideal daily dose of CBD in males may range anywhere from 60-180mg while an ideal dose in women would be 50-150mg. Keep in mind that it appears this recommendation can normally be exceeded by at least ten times without noticing any significant deleterious effects.

Special considerations

When determining ideal CBD dosing in humans, conflicts with other substances and medications must be kept in mind. While not usually dangerous, CBD competes for enzymes used to metabolize many common drugs — usually drugs that come with a “grapefruit warning.”

If using drugs that conflict with CBD, lower doses may be recommended, or it may be recommended that CBD not be used at all. Human users of CBD should seek medical consultation before and while using the cannabinoid.

CBD dosage in pets

CBD dosing in pets is more difficult to determine specifically given the vast differences between domesticated animal species. We can discuss generally, though, the considerations that should be taken when determining CBD dosing in animals.

Average dosing by weight

Very little research has been conducted into ideal CBD dosing in animals, but one study⁵ in dogs and cats concluded that daily doses of 2mg/kg might be appropriate. Given the smaller size of most pets compared to humans, the overall daily dose will be much smaller.

At 2mg/kg, for instance, the average cat (4kg) would only need 8mg CBD per day. A small dog (10kg) would need 20mg, a medium dog (20kg) would need 40mg, and a large dog (30kg+) would need 60mg or more daily.

Special considerations

The physiology of each pet kept by humans is different. Products or usage recommendations that hold true for one pet should not be assumed to also be true for a pet of a different species or even of a different breed.

It is highly recommended that owners consult with a trusted veterinarian before choosing a CBD product or establishing a dosage schedule for their pets. Professional assistance may be even more useful in this regard than it is when determining accurate CBD dosing in humans.

Pet & human CBD: More similar than different

For the average, skeptical consumer, two questions come to mind when confronted with the idea of giving CBD to their pets. One, is this just a fad or gimmick? And two, how do I know that giving my pet CBD is safe?

It’s a fundamental truth that human biology differs from animal biology. Even given the massive differences in the way these genes are expressed, though, there’s hardly any difference between the genetic codes of most animals on Earth.

The fact that we all have endocannabinoid systems should make us feel closer to our furry, feathery, and even scaly friends. Human beings may have been the ones to discover CBD, but it’s pertinent that we extend the potential benefits of this compound to our fellow animals, now that the knowledge about its effects is widely available.

Sources

1. Scherma, M., Masia, P., Satta, V., Fratta, W., Fadda, P., & Tanda, G. (2019). Brain activity of anandamide: a rewarding bliss? Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 40(3), 309–323. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41401-018-0075-x

2. Larsen, C. P., & Shahinas, J. (2020b). Dosage, Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Administration in Adults: A Systematic Review of Human Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 12(3), 129–141. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr4090

3. Argueta, D. A., Ventura, C. M., Kiven, S. B., Sagi, V., & Gupta, K. (2020). A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00561

4. Silver, R. M. (2019). The Endocannabinoid System of Animals. Animals, 9(9), 686. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9090686

5. Deabold, K. A., Schwark, W. S., Wolf, L. A., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2019). Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety Assessment with Use of CBD-Rich Hemp Nutraceutical in Healthy Dogs and Cats. Animals, 9(10), 832. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100832

Even casual students of the plant quickly recognize that cannabis is incredibly complex. It is an unusual species among plants, boasting a multitude of peculiar qualities and including a tumultuous mix of both exclusive and widespread compounds.

Nature seems to have had something different in mind with the cannabis plant, and we’re just now beginning to understand how all its different components work together. Most worthy of study are observed interactions between cannabinoids and terpenes, which are only present together in Cannabis sativa.

While we’ll sometimes pit them against each other in this guide, our ultimate goal is to articulate how perfectly terpenes and cannabinoids go together. The chemical complexities of the cannabis plant can take some time to tease apart, but the reward is a fuller understanding of what makes our favorite products so effective.

Chemical composition of cannabis flower: Overview

Let’s begin by summarizing the most important points we will cover in the article:

– Unique within the plant kingdom Cannabis sativa plays host to both terpenes and cannabinoids

– Terpenes are also found abundantly in other sources in nature

– Cannabinoids are only found in cannabis and hemp

– Terpenes and cannabinoids bear many striking similarities

– They also appear to synergize together remarkably well

– Nature seems to have designed cannabinoids and terpenes to be used together

– The best cannabinoid products feature terpenes

– There are considerable variations in quality between terpene products, though

– Understanding the interaction between cannabinoids and terpenes is the key to unlocking the mysteries of cannabis

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are unique lipid compounds only found in the Cannabis sativa plant. This claim has been disputed from time to time, and it is certainly true that certain cannabinoid mimicking (cannabimimetic) compounds are present in other members of the plant kingdom.

The exact chemical structures of cannabinoids like CBD or CBG, however, have never been found in any non-cannabis plants. These compounds are the primary reason cannabis has been such a fervent target of International research over the last century. Generally speaking, only cannabinoids in the THC family are intoxicating — all others lack notably intoxicating effects.

What do cannabinoids do?

Cannabinoids in the THC family and some others stimulate an endogenous signaling structure spread throughout the human body called the endocannabinoid system. This endocannabinoid system is primarily comprised of neural receptors dubbed CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors directly trigger a strong dopamine response, which is responsible for the habit forming properties of THC. Activation of this neuroreceptor also causes a profound and unique sense of intoxication that some researchers have likened to a hallucinogenic effect.

Activation of the CB2 receptor, on the other hand, mainly causes an anti-inflammatory response without any accompanying profound sense of intoxication. Many cannabinoids, in addition, do not activate either receptor, and some hinder the activation of conventional cannabinoid receptors.

CBD is an excellent example of a cannabinoid that does not have any notable activation response at CB1 or CB2 receptors. In the case of your brain’s intoxicating CB1 receptors, in fact, CBD appears to have an inhibitory function, potentially reducing the experienced effects of THC.

Are cannabinoids found in other plants?

No, cannabinoids are only found in cannabis. This is an educated judgment reached in full knowledge of the existence of cannabimimetic compounds present in certain other plants, such as flax and Boswellia serrata.

None of these compounds exactly mimic the structure of cannabinoids, so it can be truly said that Cannabis sativa is the only source of cannabinoid compounds in nature. In laboratory conditions, cannabinoids can be synthesized using non-cannabis materials, but the costs generally preclude such ventures from taking on commercial proportions.

Top 5 cannabinoids

Following are brief dossiers on the five most popular cannabinoids currently used in hemp products:

1. Cannabidiol (CBD): Renowned for its apparent anti-inflammatory and anxiety-relieving properties, CBD has become incredibly popular over the last decade, paving the way for further cannabinoids to enter the market.

2. Cannabigerol (CBG): The first cannabinoid to reach popular status after CBD was CBG, which is now being looked at for pain-relief, digestive, and antibacterial applications.

3. Cannabinol (CBN): A metabolite of THC, CBN nonetheless lacks notable intoxicating properties while seemingly helping some users get to sleep at night.

4. Cannabichromene (CBC): Researchers believe CBC may activate a critical neuroreceptor even more strongly than CBD, potentially making it a very powerful pain fighting tool.

5. Cannabidiolic acid (CBDa): The chemical precursor to CBD, CBDa may be capable of activating certain neural receptors more strongly than CBD, differentiating it from its decarboxylated form.

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are so structurally similar to cannabinoids that they must be variations on the same core design. Where cannabinoids veer away from terpenes is in their aromatic properties — while both compound classes are known for their anti-inflammatory utility, cannabinoids do not have any notable aroma.

The aroma of terpenes, though, has been their main allure throughout history. They are the scents behind essential oils and the secret ingredients of the most delicately balanced perfumes. More recently, terpenes have become just as sought-after as cannabinoids for their pinpoint-targeted therapeutic benefits.

What do terpenes do?

Before we can coherently discuss the effects of terpenes, it must first be understood that there are at least 400 different terpenes¹. Just as is the case with cannabinoids, there are considerable differences between the effects of different terpenes. There are only a few dozen cannabinoids to contend with at most, though, making it relatively simple to map out their effects.

When it comes to terpenes, there are so many different effect profiles to collate that it becomes necessary to research each terpene individually to predict its effects. Limonene, for instance, is known for its stimulating effects, but linalool does the exact opposite. The most that can be said for terpenes on the whole is that they’re nearly all known to exert anti-inflammatory effects dispersed throughout the entire body.

Are terpenes found in other plants?

Another considerable difference between cannabinoids and terpenes is their presence in other plants. While cannabinoids are entirely unique to cannabis, terpenes are spread widely throughout nature. From the aroma of lavender to the zest of orange peel, terpenes are everywhere in the plant kingdom, and they’re the cornerstones of ancient remedies and modern therapies alike.

Botanists have long been enraptured by the sheer purity in which terpenes are presented in cannabis flower. Most plants contain a few different terpenes at most, and in relatively low concentrations.

Every strain of cannabis, however, contains a swirling matrix of dozens of different cannabinoids, encapsulated in virginal perfection within the trichome oil sacs that appear along the surface of cannabis buds during the flowering cycle. Cannabis is widely known for producing some of the most fragrant flowers in the botanical world, and these richly sophisticated aromas are entirely attributable to terpenes.

In the modern hemp market, cannabis-derived terpenes are widely understood to be higher-quality than terpenes derived from other plants. When mixed expertly, however, it can be difficult to tell the difference between botanical and cannabis-derived terpenes.

Top 5 terpenes

A full list of terpenes could fill an entire book, but here are the facts on five of the most abundant terpenes found in cannabis:

1. Myrcene: Responsible for the dankness in mangoes, myrcene has a distinctly herbaceous, hoppy aroma. It’s one of the most abundant cannabinoids in almost every strain of cannabis, and it’s believed to have antioxidant properties.

2. Caryophyllene: Known for its peppery aroma, caryophyllene is the zing in black pepper and the reason cannabis sometimes smells spicy. It’s one of the only terpenes known to act as a cannabinoid by activating the CB2 receptors².

3. Limonene: Limonene is the reason citrus fruits smell citrusy. It’s believed to have energizing properties, and like other terpenes, it appears to fight oxidative stress.

4. Linalool: The soothing aroma of lavender is courtesy of linalool. Scientists believe there may be genuine merit to the terpene’s sleep-inducing properties³.

5. Pinene: Pinene is what makes pine needles smell piney. In addition to exhibiting antioxidant properties, pinene might also help open your airways.

Using terpenes and cannabinoids in products

To craft a memorable cannabinoid product, it’s often now necessary to also incorporate terpenes. Doing so isn’t a simple task of tossing the two ingredient types together slipshod, though. Combining terpenes and cannabinoids is an art, and if it is mastered, the quality of the resulting products will speak for itself.

Special considerations

– Terpenes and cannabinoids combine excellently, but not when combined willy-nilly

– It’s best to replicate the combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes found in nature

– As a result, strain-specific terpene blends are the most desirable

– You can, however, mix terpenes at your discretion if you have a good grasp of their individual properties

– Human intervention could, theoretically, boost the synergy between terpenes and cannabinoids to heights unachievable in nature

– Mixing terpenes inexpertly runs the very real chance of subverting natural synergy and reducing a product’s overall effectiveness

The entourage effect

It has become abundantly clear to the scientific community that the entourage effect is only a shadow of its full self when terpenes are removed. A recent peer-reviewed study⁴ reflects the long-held views of Dr. Ethan Russo — namely, that terpenes are just as essential to the efficacy of the entourage effect as cannabinoids.

A product should not be claimed to offer the entourage effect unless it contains terpenes. Furthermore, a product with terpenes can only fully offer the entourage effect if the terpenes it contains are well-selected and high-quality.

Terpene quality

Once they have achieved their decarboxylated forms, cannabinoids are relatively chemically stable. The same cannot be said for terpenes, which decay rapidly in efficacy when exposed to oxidative stress.

Terpenes added to cannabinoid products, therefore, must be handled with utmost care during the extraction and distillation process. Manufacturers of terpenes should be able to provide assurance that their products are undamaged and offer full efficacy.

Strain-specific benefits

Just as the benefits of cannabinoids should be viewed in synergy, not individually, terpenes also appear to offer enhanced synergistic benefits when they are kept organized in certain ratios. When in doubt, keep terpenes in strain-specific ratios. You’ll at least be able to replicate the effects of a specific target strain that way.

Terpenes & cannabinoids: Synergy, not competition

Terpenes and cannabinoids are very different. But, just as can be the case in differences between people, it is these very differences that provide both types of compounds with their vast strength.

On its own, a cannabinoid (or even multiple cannabinoids) cannot achieve the full scope of the promised therapeutic power of cannabis. The same goes for terpenes, which lack pure power without cannabinoids. Combined together correctly within their own camps and then melded into one cohesive unit, however, the vast diversity of benefits between cannabinoids and terpenes achieves an indomitable strength.

Sources

1. Cannabis 101: What’s the Deal with Terpenes? (2021, May 20). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cannabis-terpenes

2. Aly, E., Khajah, M. A., & Masocha, W. (2019). β-Caryophyllene, a CB2-Receptor-Selective Phytocannabinoid, Suppresses Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of Antiretroviral-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Molecules, 25(1), 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25010106

3. Xu, L., Li, X., Zhang, Y., Ding, M., Sun, B., Su, G., & Zhao, Y. (2021). The effects of linalool acupoint application therapy on sleep regulation. RSC Advances, 11(11), 5896–5902. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ra09751a

4. Ferber, S. G., Namdar, D., Hen-Shoval, D., Eger, G., Koltai, H., Shoval, G., Shbiro, L., & Weller, A. (2020). The “Entourage Effect”: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. Current Neuropharmacology, 18(2), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159×17666190903103923

Shopper preferences for CBD products are shifting. At the same time, average Americans are increasingly positive about CBD, and more than half of the country has now tried the cannabinoid.

What does this all mean for those of us focused on formulating the best, most successful CBD products on the market? Find out as we unpack a recent Forbes Health survey that provided unprecedented insight into the factors that make shoppers and CBD products come together.

The Forbes Health CBD survey: Key findings

Published in April 2022, a detailed survey in Forbes Health¹ showed just how far consumer sentiment in the United States has shifted in favor of CBD. Less than a decade ago, fewer than a third of Americans had tried CBD, but according to Forbes, the percentage of American adults who have used the cannabinoid is now in the majority: 60%.

The majority of Americans also believe CBD is safer than alcohol, but a third of adults still don’t know the differences between basic types of CBD products.

Below, we’ll break down the most important findings of the Forbes Health survey by category.

CBD gummies, capsules, and oils are the most popular

First, let’s take a look at the findings most relevant to our current inquiry: the types of CBD products that shoppers currently use. Forbes broke their survey results into the percentage of respondents who currently use each product type — multiple product types could be selected at once. The findings were as follows:

– Gummies & edibles: 58%

– Capsules: 55%

– Tinctures: 55%

– Lotions: 53%

– Other topicals: 42%

– Vapes: 32%

– Flower: 16%

Shooting past CBD oils to take first place are CBD gummies, a shift everyone with a stake in the industry should note immediately. Americans now prefer CBD gummies over all other CBD products.

More than half of the respondents who use CBD use lotions, which seems surprisingly high. Serums, balms, and other alternative topicals are also becoming increasingly popular — in fact, they’re nearly as popular as CBD tinctures.

Almost a third of American CBD users now use CBD vapes, a trend that has emerged unexpectedly. Plus, another 16% use CBD flower, making it important to track these product categories carefully going forward.

64% of Americans think CBD is safer than alcohol

What’s behind this sudden embrace of practically every CBD product category imaginable? Partially responsible is the fact that the American hive mind has completed its considerations, and it has determined CBD to be safe and desirable in most ways.

The majority (bordering on “most”) of Americans now believe CBD is safer than alcohol. With 64% of Americans now starting to recognize the impressive safety benefits of CBD, it’s clear that the current scope of the industry is only the beginning. The true growth potential of the CBD industry is only held back, at this point, by a lack of knowledge — an impediment that is about to be washed away.

60% of American adults have tried CBD

It has finally happened — the majority of Americans have used CBD. Some liked it, others loved it, and still others weren’t so sure. What’s incontrovertible, however, is that CBD has penetrated all the way to the heart of America, and it hasn’t found much resistance along the way.

What is there to resist, after all? CBD has few — if any² — serious side effects, and it can be offered in a way in which any associations with THC are entirely erased. Liberated from stigma and misconception, CBD becomes what it is — a remarkably effective natural compound with an impressive safety profile and low production cost.

CBD education remains minimal

Some Americans still don’t have much to judge CBD on. According to the Forbes Health survey, 33% of respondents flat-out don’t know the difference between isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum CBD. Another 23% weren’t sure, making only 43% of respondents certain they knew the difference.

Knowing what makes isolate CBD different from broad-spectrum isn’t a deal-breaker by any means. Having an idea of how much shoppers know regarding this single facet of the CBD industry, however, helps us better understand the general status of CBD education across all subjects. In short, CBD ambassadors haven’t done a great job explaining to the general public what the different kinds of CBD products are and what they do.

Further implications

That’s not all the Forbes Health survey had to say, and we have some thoughts of our own to add as well. What does this sea change in the CBD industry mean in wider contexts? Let’s explore.

CBD is now remarkably popular and widespread

Take a moment, and let it sink in that the majority of Americans have now tried CBD. For those of us who have been involved in the industry from the very beginning, it sometimes seemed like this day would never come. We can look back now, though, and understand how we got here to predict where we’re going.

First, why is CBD now so popular? Because the reasons for using it have changed. CBD first entered the public awareness in the context of childhood epilepsy, and the focus then quickly shifted to chronic pain in adults. Now, there has been another shift — a much more important one.

People are using CBD primarily to relax (62%).

In regards to percentages, very few members of the population suffer from childhood epilepsy. More have chronic pain concerns, but not a plurality.

Every single person in the United States (and beyond, for that matter) likes to relax. Many of them specifically like to get just relaxed enough to not worry and feel better but not so relaxed that they feel high. In that way, CBD is a nearly perfect solution, and the average American has caught wind.

Quality will become increasingly important as education spreads

Primarily because people have sorted through the misguided marketing material sufficiently to realize CBD is relaxing even if you aren’t in pain, interest in the cannabinoid has recently caught on like wildfire. With mainstream interest, though, come mainstream critiques, making product quality an increasing priority for every ethical CBD company.

As we’ve mentioned, less than half of CBD shoppers are certain they know the difference between common types of CBD extracts. This particular facet of uncertainty is intimately tied to another: shopper perceptions of the danger of failing a drug test after using CBD.

Even as recently as 2022, 46% of Americans believed that using CBD could cause a positive drug test, a concern that — albeit rooted in valid science — is not relevant to most people who use CBD. As industry professionals know, only full-spectrum CBD has any chance of causing a positive drug test, and even then, you usually have to use quite a lot.

Average shoppers have very little to fear from drug testing after using CBD products. The occasional false positive does occur, but not to the extent that nearly half of Americans are justified in their worry that CBD might make them test positive for THC.

Speaking of testing, though, it will come out sooner or later that only 7% of CBD companies properly test their products for potency and contaminants. When the wall of ignorance breaks and that day inevitably comes, only those companies that offer genuinely high-quality, fully-tested products will see the other side.

There is plenty of room to add more cannabinoids

Social acceptability plays a massive role in shopping habits. Consumers will adopt new trends if they seem socially acceptable, and they’ll overlook the genuine merits of others if they’re deemed unacceptable.

To that end, it’s interesting to find out how Americans feel about the relative social acceptability of using the two most famous cannabinoids: CBD and THC. In the Forbes Health survey, 45% of respondents indicated that they felt CBD was socially acceptable to use but that THC isn’t. Comparatively, only 16% approved of using both CBD and THC.

For those with any understanding of the history of the CBD industry, this might come as something of a shock. CBD originally gained popularity exclusively among those who had some degree of openness to Cannabis sativa in general. As these data show, however, the core of the CBD shopper base has moved to those who approve of CBD but not THC.

What about cannabinoids that aren’t either CBD or THC, though? In the case of cannabinoids that are like CBD, the Forbes Health data show that consumers will be open-minded. They’ve accepted CBD already, after all, and they’re curious about what else the hemp plant has to offer.

The bottom line: How to offer CBD products shoppers want

Nobody seemingly steered the situation this way, but American shoppers now seem to equate CBD with their evening beer, albeit healthier. Sure, CBD is still used for pain, and it’s used for a lot of other purposes too. What all those purposes lack, though, is universality. Everyone needs to relax, and CBD seemingly gets the job done with practically zero drawbacks.

As long as it’s in the same line of relaxing, trustworthy CBD, shoppers will be eager to try whatever products you create. Cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN) are prime targets — especially CBN given its recent explosive growth trajectory and inherent associations with relaxation, the new prime driver of CBD sales.

Don’t make the mistake of believing everything associated with hemp will be accepted with the same enthusiasm, though. CBD users like the cannabinoid because of what it does, not because of what it is.

CBD shopper preferences FAQ

Learn more about how CBD shopping habits are developing below:

1. What are the most popular CBD products on the market?

Right now, the three most popular types of CBD products are gummies, capsules, and tinctures. These have remained the top 3 CBD product types for quite some time, but it’s only recently that gummies and edibles have overtaken tinctures to reach the number-one slot.

2. What are the 3 types of CBD?

The three major types of CBD extracts are isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum. As the name implies, isolate features isolated CBD — nothing else. Full-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, retains all the beneficial compounds present in CBD-rich hemp flower. Broad-spectrum does the same but removes any traces of THC — sometimes to the detriments of the natural, aromatic terpenes that emerge in Cannabis sativa during flowering.

3. What is the best CBD type?

Most users agree that broad-spectrum CBD is the best type of extract since it offers the best of both worlds. On the one hand, there is no THC, entirely eliminating any potential of failing a drug test. On the other, all the cannabinoids and terpenes present in full-spectrum extract are still there — provided that your broad-spectrum CBD was produced by a competent extractor, that is. However, there is no factual “best” type of CBD, just preference.

Sources

1. Hall, A. (2022, April 21). Survey: 64% Of U.S. Adults Think CBD Is Safer Than Alcohol, Despite Legality Concerns. Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/body/2022-cbd-survey/

2. Larsen, C. P., & Shahinas, J. (2020). Dosage, Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Administration in Adults: A Systematic Review of Human Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 12(3), 129–141. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr4090

According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans are placing more emphasis on the importance of proper sleep than ever before. It has been known for decades that sleep is essential to health, but it’s only recently that scientists have uncovered just how essential a good night of rest is to your defense against disease and expected lifespan.

What, exactly, does Gallup have to say about the relationship between Americans and their sleep, and what does it mean for the growing and solidifying American hemp market? We will cover all the details in this guide and provide you with concrete tips to follow in light of these shifting attitudes towards sleep.

The 2022 Gallup sleep poll

First, the basic facts: In 2022, Gallup partnered with mattress manufacturer Casper to survey more than 3,000 American adults regarding their attitudes toward sleep. Titled the “Casper-Gallup State of Sleep in America 2022 Report¹,” the results of this poll cover a wide range of topics — most importantly, for our purposes, the self-perception of Americans regarding how much the quality of their sleep affects their daily activities.

Before we move on to what the Gallup poll means specifically for cannabinoids, let’s take a moment to summarize its overall key findings:

– One-third of adult Americans (~80 million people) are dissatisfied with their sleep quality

– Good mental health is shown to be associated with healthy sleep

– Younger adults are the most likely to struggle with sleep and stress

– 55% of Americans make sleep a high priority

– Women value sleep more than men

– People who like their mattresses are more likely to sleep well

– More than $40 billion is lost yearly since workers fail to show up due to bad sleep

– Only 7% of adults indicate that their sleep last night was excellent

Americans increasingly value sleep

According to the Gallup-Casper poll, an increasing number of Americans are becoming aware of both the positive and negative impact their sleep habits can have on their quality of life. One of the most fascinating components of the poll was an assay of the areas in life respondents believed were affected by their sleep quality. Here’s a summary of the key findings:

– 49% of Americans believe their sleep quality affects their mood

– 49% of Americans believe their sleep quality affects their work performance

– 45% of Americans believe their sleep quality affects their general health

Furthermore, percentages of Americans who believe sleep affects their lives in the following ways stand thusly:

– Ability to exercise: 31%

– Ability to have fun: 30%

– Relationships with family: 26%

– Healthiness of food choices: 23%

The average person has always known that failing to sleep properly the night before makes it hard to do their job. Just as ubiquitous is the platonism that sleep is essential to your health.

A growing contingent of Americans, though, are clearly becoming aware of the impact of sleep on seemingly ancillary areas of life. More than a quarter of adults in the country, for instance, now realize that their close relationships suffer when they don’t rest well. Nearly a quarter also realize they’re more likely to binge junk food or go down the drive-thru line when they’re sleepy.

Younger Americans value sleep more

The data from Gallup clearly indicate that sleep is a growing priority as the nation evolves. Among the oldest group surveyed (65+), only 31% admitted that sleep impacted their mood while that number more than doubled in 18 to 29-year-olds: 68%.

The discrepancy is nearly as large but not quite as extreme when it comes to self-assessments regarding the overall importance of sleep to health. Again, 31% of 65+ respondents agreed that sleep quality impacted their health, but 59% of the survey’s youngest cohort recognized how much poor sleep could harm them.

Here are a few other areas in which younger Americans are more focused on how their sleep quality affects their health:

– % of 18-29 vs. 65+ Americans who believe sleep impacts their ability to exercise: 39% vs. 18%

– % of 18-29 vs. 65+ Americans who believe sleep impacts their ability to have fun: 46% vs. 19%

– % of 18-29 vs. 65+ Americans who believe sleep impacts their interpersonal relationships: 33% vs. 18%

– % of 18-29 vs. 65+ Americans who believe sleep impacts the healthiness of their diet: 28% vs. 16%

There are two major implications that can be drawn from this information. First, younger Americans are already very aware of the impact of sleep on their health, so they’re prepared to recognize the benefits of cannabinoids.

That doesn’t necessarily have to come at the detriment of reducing reach to older shoppers, though. In many cases, older individuals simply have less experience with the internet and are therefore less aware of the latest trends in natural health. Instead of as an averse audience, view older shoppers as simply less aware of the potential ways that cannabinoids might improve their sleep quality.

– Pro tip: If advertising online, create separate campaigns targeted at younger and older audiences. Calibrate your approach based on which demographic engages best.

Trust in conventional sleep medications wanes

Since at least 2010², it has been understood that many patients who are prescribed conventional sleep medications continue to present symptoms — in some cases, those symptoms also worsen. Doctors across the nation still prescribe everything from benzodiazepines to antidepressants in an attempt to help people get to sleep. The results are varied to say the least.

It’s not that prescription sleep medications are acutely ineffective. Pharmacologists have developed highly complex ways to assist human consciousness in shutting down for the night.

The issue, rather, lies in long-term treatment. Whether or not the drugs are safe, they usually fail to address any underlying issues that may be supporting sleep problems. Every dose sweeps insomnia further under the rug but does not remove it from the equation.

In response, many insomnia sufferers have turned to natural substances for help. Often poorly researched and only questionably effective, many of these natural sleep aids have also recently lost favor.

Natural treatments are debunked

“Debunked” might be somewhat too strong of a word, but there’s certainly more skepticism surrounding ingredients like melatonin than there once was. With this growing unease regarding the “first wave” of natural health ingredients aimed at sleep, newer substances like cannabinoids are rising to the fore.

Like melatonin, for instance, CBD affects already-existing areas of the brain. Unlike melatonin, however, CBD is not a hormone and, therefore, does not appear to have any capacity to impact your endocrine system in the way that melatonin might.

Cannabinoids rise to the fore

In many ways, consumers are beginning to view cannabinoids as “upgrades” to their existing natural health routines. Carrying both the grandeur and stigma of prohibition, cannabinoids nonetheless genuinely deliver benefits that have researchers around the world scratching their heads in amazement.

Shoppers appreciate the gentle naturalness of cannabinoids. They also appreciate, though, that these unassuming compounds appear to carry a great deal of heft — despite their humble origins and lack of side effects, there’s a lot that cannabinoids can do to improve our lives. People are awakening to this fact around the globe.

The usefulness of cannabinoids for sleep

Which specific cannabinoids show the most promise for sleep? We’ll give two pertinent examples below:

CBD

Not enough studies have been conducted into the potential benefits of CBD for sleep yet, but the initial evidence that has been amassed is compelling in itself. Even more compelling are the reams and reams of anecdotal evidence provided in the form of product reviews, blog articles, and social media testimonials originating from real people who have experienced the power of CBD for themselves.

Rather than causing intoxication like THC, CBD is gently relaxing — a property that users indicate goes great lengths toward helping them sleep at night. Better yet, most users indicate that CBD does not make them feel groggy in the morning.

CBN

Less studied still than CBD, CBN is a derivative of THC that has been denatured of most of its intoxicating properties. Instead of making you feel high, CBN is usually described as having mildly sedative effects — though researchers will need to publish more on the subject before we opine further.

How to fulfill rising demand for cannabinoid sleep products

The time is now to further the discussion surrounding cannabinoids and sleep by bringing a greater number of excellent products to the market. Chiefly, gummies and tinctures are the most popular cannabinoid sleep products at present, but the market is ready for expansion.

Whichever idea you might have for a cannabinoid sleep product, it has a chance as long as it brings genuine value to shoppers. Find a unique angle of approach, and start making your way into the cannabinoid sleep industry without delay.

Knowledge is power, sleep is health

In retrospect, it’s incredible the things that we didn’t know just a few decades ago. As society has progressed, previously held beliefs, including unquestioning trust in conventional pharmaceutical treatments, much of what people once took for granted has disappeared, leaving new truths behind.

Nowadays, you don’t have to be lucky enough to come across an illuminative newspaper or magazine article to learn about natural health revolutions that may be reshaping your world. An average shopper can learn everything they need to know about CBD or any other natural health product within a few minutes of searching on Google, a level of information freedom that has never before existed in the history of the human race.

The revelation has emerged, and people now know that sleep is the time-honored key to health and longevity. Any substances that help them sleep better without having any serious short-term or long-term negative effects will immediately be adopted by today’s cohort of educated and alternative-minded consumers. It’s only a matter of time, therefore, until cannabinoids attain even greater popularity as substances used to either facilitate or improve sleep.

The more knowledge people have, the more power they have. And, the more power people have, the more they will use that power to better themselves. It’s simply our role to help shoppers achieve these goals with the assistance of natural cannabinoid products.

Sources:

1. 1. Gallup, Inc. (2022, April 18). Casper-Gallup State of Sleep in America 2022 Report. Gallup.com. https://www.gallup.com/analytics/390536/sleep-in-america-2022.aspx
2. 2. Krakow, B., Ulibarri, V. A., & Romero, E. F. (2010). Patients With Treatment-Resistant Insomnia Taking Nightly Prescription Medications for Sleep. Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.09m00873bro

The more we learn about the hemp plant, the clearer it becomes that each cannabinoid has its own ideal uses and special benefits. Sometimes, these benefits are discovered through scientific inquiry, but more often, they’re uncovered by accident as users explore new forms of hemp.

In the case of CBN and sleep, it’s a little bit of both. While there’s some research backing up the idea that CBN might be useful for sleep, the general consensus that’s been reached on this subject has been brought about by anecdotal evidence provided by countless users.

Is it a good idea to use CBN for sleep? If so, which brands are best to turn to when you’re in need of a solid CBN sleep product? Find the answers in this guide.

What is CBN?

Cannabinol (CBN) is a natural metabolite of THC that appears due to oxidative stress, usually generated by age or UV light. In THC-rich cannabis, CBN concentrations increase over time as the plant material ages or is exposed to other oxidative stressors.

Like CBD, CBN is considered to be non-intoxicating, but the cannabinoid can’t entirely get away from its roots in THC. While CBN won’t make you feel high, users generally indicate that it’s profoundly relaxing in a way that even CBD is not.

Effects of CBN

When THC-rich cannabis is high in CBN, it is often described as being very relaxing or sleep-inducing. This effect profile appears to carry over when CBN is isolated or otherwise separated from THC — CBN is usually described as the most relaxing cannabinoid users have ever tried, and it’s commonly reported to have sleep-inducing effects.

Is CBN intoxicating?

No, CBN does not cause the type of intoxication associated with THC. While this cannabinoid can be so profoundly relaxing that it causes you to nod off, you won’t become paranoid, hallucinate, or feel any other significant head changes when using CBN.

CBN vs. CBD

Though they’re each unique compounds, CBN and CBD are more similar than they are dissimilar. Neither cannabinoid provides intoxication, for instance, and both are found naturally in the hemp plant.

One area in which CBN and CBD are quite different, though, is in the amount of research that has been conducted into each. While CBN received some attention early in the days of cannabis science, it has mainly been overlooked since even as CBN has surged to the center of attention.

While it’s pretty easy to make educated guesses regarding the potential benefits of CBD, therefore, it’s harder to know if CBN is useful for sleep based on the results of studies alone. For assistance in substantiating the massive amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting CBN is useful for sleep, therefore, we turn to the hard scientific research that has been conducted into CBD. The two compounds are, after all, often used together.

Is CBN good for sleep?

Based on both anecdotal evidence and limited scientific studies, it certainly seems there’s some merit to studying CBN further as a potential sleep aid. Initial studies are inconclusive, but enough evidence has been accumulated to justify further research into CBD and sleep. Many users now prefer CBN to CBD for sleep, a shift in the market that speaks to this cannabinoid’s unique benefits.

CBN sleep studies

Over the last few decades, a handful of studies have been published regarding the potential benefits of CBN for sleep. We’ll start with an exhaustive review of evidence¹ related to the subject published in the journal Cannabis & Cannabinoid Research in October of 2021.

In this scientific review, author Jamie Corroon begins by admitting that claims regarding CBN’s sleep-promoting effects may be “rooted in cannabis lore” that suggests old cannabis makes you sleepy. After raising the question of whether CBN’s reputation as a sleep aid is justified, Corroon goes into the evidence accumulated in favor of the cannabinoid’s sleep-inducing properties over the years.

Effects of CBN remain inconclusive

Most studies found that CBN had no noticeable effect on users, though there was some indication that CBN might make some users feel more sleepy. In the discussion section of his review, Corroon finds that “clinical research investigating the effects of CBN is dated and limited” and that “[s]tudies specifically assessing subjective effects associated with sleep… are rare.”

The final conclusion is that “there is insufficient published evidence to support a health claim related to sleep,” but that’s more positive than it might initially sound. If there were evidence that we shouldn’t pursue CBN as a sleep aid, we’d have uncovered it by now.

Is it dangerous to use CBN for sleep?

We may not know enough about CBN yet to conclude whether or not it’s useful for sleep, but there’s significantly more evidence regarding CBN’s overall safety. Most of the clinical studies that included CBN in the late 20th century, for instance, closely examined this cannabinoid’s safety, generally finding that it had a favorable side effect profile compared to THC.

Using CBN for sleep will not cause psychoactive effects, and it won’t make you feel paranoid and anxious, either. Like CBD, in fact, it appears that the side effects of CBN are usually limited to sleepiness and, in some cases, nausea and other forms of mild gastrointestinal distress.

As a result, there shouldn’t be any particular added danger if you’d like to try CBN for sleep. You might find it helpful to start by trying CBN and CBD at the same time: Helpfully, most CBN products also include CBD already.

Is CBD good for sleep?

While the task of researching CBN’s usefulness for sleep has hardly yet begun, the same cannot be said for CBD. It’s not as if CBD has been definitively proven to be sleep-promoting, but there’s a reasonable amount of evidence now suggesting that CBD’s effectiveness against insomnia, sleep apnea, and other sleep-related conditions should be investigated in more detail.

CBD sleep studies

To date, enough studies have been conducted into the effectiveness of CBD for sleep to result in hundreds of endnotes attached to popular studies on the subject. One of the most-cited CBD sleep studies circulating on the internet is entitled “Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series²” and was featured in the January publication of The Permanente Journal.

As the first major clinical study into the effects of CBD on sleep, it’s understandable that this piece of research received a lot of attention. Consisting of a sample of 72 adults with anxiety and poor sleep, the study found that CBD reduced anxiety in 79.2% of patients and improved sleep scores in 66.7% with fluctuations over time. The study also yielded some results on CBD’s safety: All but three patients tolerated the cannabinoid with no major side effects.

In 2021, this clinical research was followed up with an exhaustive review of available evidence on CBD and sleep³ published in Neurotherapeutics. Starting with the assessment that “the results indicate a potential therapeutic role for cannabinoids in the management of some sleep disorders,” the review goes on to note that “CBD use has been shown to increase total sleep percentage [… and] had a positive effect on anxiety-related REM sleep suppression.” Furthermore, the review relates how a “case series evaluating CBD for treatment of insomnia in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) showed decreased sleep disturbances.”

Overall, it’s clear that the evidence surrounding CBD and sleep is mounting from multiple directions. It wouldn’t be surprising if CBD received increased recognition as a promising sleep-promoting substance over the coming years.

Is it dangerous to use CBD for sleep?

CBD has been the subject of a great deal of safety-related studies over the last decade or so as products containing the cannabinoid have flooded the market. One of the latest of said studies, published in 2020, summarizes all previous research on the subject. Titled “Dosage, Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Administration in Adults: A Systematic Review of Human Trials⁴,” the review was published in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research and began by admitting that “the administration [of CBD] was well tolerated with mild side effects.”

In reaching this conclusion, the authors reviewed over 350 studies including 22 controlled clinical trials. They separated their analysis into the use of CBD for specific conditions and found that serious adverse effects (AE) were hardly ever reported. While using CBD may pose some risks in certain situations, it appears quite difficult to make this cannabinoid dangerous.

5 brands to buy CBN products from

Hemp brands are encouraged by CBD and are jumping into CBN — They’ve gone ahead and started incorporating this unique, non-intoxicating cannabinoid into their products. Usually in combination with CBD, CBN is gradually making its way into the world of online hemp, making it important for potential users to be able to determine which CBN brands are worth buying from.

As you search the CBN market for the best deals on the best products, consider these five brands before any others:

#1 Calmy Wellness

Calmy is taking an unusual approach to the CBD industry by offering a line of hemp drink mixes. Called Mornin’, Anytime, and Sleep-Aid, these powdered drink mix packets contain a variety of different cannabinoids: In the case of Sleep-Aid, both CBD and CBN.

Each pouch of Calmy Sleep-Aid Drink Mix contains 10mg CBD and 5mg CBN, which is usually considered to be an ideal ratio. Also present are magnesium and theanine, both of which are believed to have calming or sleep-promoting effects.

If you’re looking for an unconventional method of getting CBD and CBN into your system, this drink mix packet is certainly worth a shot. Also worth trying are Calmy’s vitamin D Anytime pouch and their CBG and green tea Mornin’ pouch.

#2 Daytrip CBD

Next on our list is Daytrip CBD, a clean and simple CBD brand that offers a trio of edibles and a line of sparkling waters. In its sparkling water products, Daytrip is notable for using high-bioavailability, fast-acting extracts that deliver the effects of their cannabinoids with greater intensity than usual.

Apart from the cool sunglasses-shape of their gummies, we like how Daytrip’s gummies are boosted with terpenes for flavor-specific effects. Those looking to chill out and sink into deep relaxation are encouraged to try Daytrip’s Blueberry Hibiscus gummies first, and be on the lookout for a new Daytrip CBN sleep gummy product that will become available soon.

#3 Binoid

Binoid is a massive brand that offers a huge array of different cannabinoids. For their core tinctures, however, Binoid has chosen to focus on CBD and CBN with both cannabinoids present in Binoid Good Night CBD Oil. This powerhouse tincture contains not only CBD and CBN but also valerian root, skullcap, and lemon essential oil for a flavorful, all-natural experience.

Some CBN users might like the idea of drink mixes, but others may prefer to take a more conventional route. For those who still rely on tinctures as their preferred method for using cannabinoids, Binoid’s Good Night tincture provides a familiar approach in the form of an unusually high-quality hemp oil.

#4 Moonstruck CBD

The brain naturally uses melatonin to tell itself that it’s time to go to sleep, so it only makes sense to include melatonin in a hemp tincture designed to help you get to sleep. That’s exactly what Moonstruck CBD has done in their Melatonin Sleep Tincture, an oil that combines 1500mg CBD and 90mg melatonin for a combined approach to getting you to sleep at night.

This simple broad-spectrum tincture doesn’t contain any THC, and it’s flavored lightly with lemon and vanilla to cover up any slight underlying hemp taste. One of the most impressive benefits of this tincture is its concentration: With 50mg CBD per milliliter, you don’t have to take much to feel the effects.

#5 Twine CBD

Twine CBD is an up-and-coming hemp company that recently launched a line of hemp gummies. One offering from this lineup features melatonin, combining hemp cannabinoids with this natural hormone in a tasty and convenient format.

Featuring 25mg CBD and 2mg melatonin per gummy, these berry-flavored edibles contain everything necessary to experience the desired effects in just 1-2 gummies. For those who would rather take their nightly dose of hemp in the form of a tasty treat, these delicious CBD isolate gummies are well worth a shot.

The bottom line: Trying CBN for sleep is easy

With new compounds becoming available to try all the time, it’s a fact that the cannabinoid renaissance is now upon us. And, while in the past getting your hands on cannabinoids to try as an individual was next-to impossible, it’s now easy to buy CBD, CBG, and even CBN products online from any number of different sources.

The risks of trying CBN for sleep appear to be minimal, but based on anecdotal evidence and scientific research, there seem to be plenty of reasons to try CBN if your nightly sleep cycle could use some improvement. When you’re ready to give CBN a shot for yourself, choose one of the five brands we listed above, and pick a product.

Sources

1. 1. Corroon, J. (2021). Cannabinol and Sleep: Separating Fact from Fiction. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0006
2. 2. Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019b). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/18-041
3. 3. Kaul, M., Zee, P. C., & Sahni, A. S. (2021). Effects of Cannabinoids on Sleep and their Therapeutic Potential for Sleep Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 18(1), 217–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-021-01013-w
4. 4. Larsen, C., & Shahinas, J. (2020). Dosage, Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Administration in Adults: A Systematic Review of Human Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 12(3), 129–141. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr4090

Depending on the situation, using cannabinoids topically can be the most effective and desirable solution. Even so, cannabinoid-infused topicals have traditionally been slower-growing compared to long-trending categories like CBD tinctures and gummies.

The latest data compiled by Statista, however, suggest that the topical tide is turning. A greater number of younger people are turning to cannabinoid topicals and skincare products, and insights from a mature market can now help us understand the main holdups currently hindering the growth of this category.

By solving the problems that people currently have with CBD topicals, your products will deliver the genuine value that shoppers are seeking. In this guide, find out who to market cannabinoid topicals toward and how to formulate your products to fit average hemp consumer needs.

Who uses hemp topicals and skincare products?

We’ll start by examining the available data regarding who currently uses or is interested in using cannabinoid skincare products: both their age and gender. Understanding your target demographic is a key step in developing a cannabinoid topical product that will succeed in 2023 and beyond. Let’s begin by taking a look at the likelihood a person uses CBD topicals based on their age:

Hemp topical use by generation

Between April 9th and 11th, 2021, Statista conducted a survey¹ of more than 30,000 Americans regarding their interest in CBD beauty and personal care products. The respondents were divided by age, and their chosen responses roughly fell in line with age-based demographic breakdowns of the CBD industry overall.

Interest in CBD topicals among Baby Boomers and older generations was comparatively low. It also appears that the youngest Americans, those comprising Generation Z, have not yet fully embraced the offerings available on the CBD topical market. At only 12%, Gen Z respondents showed dramatically reduced interest in CBD topicals compared to Millennial (21%) and Gen X (23%) respondents.

Many members of Generation Z are still too young to use CBD products. Among those who are already 18-21, it’s likely that CBD topicals have simply not been presented attractively to this age group. Usually branded as helping with ailments concomitant with age, CBD topicals do not immediately track with the needs of the nation’s youngest consumers, a situation that can easily be rectified with proper branding and marketing.

Messaging that supports CBD topicals is clearly getting through to individuals old enough to experience age-related woes, yet the oldest among us remain relatively naive of cannabinoid topicals and their reported benefits. It may, then, be wise to determine ways to position Millennial and Gen X CBD topical users as ambassadors who relate the benefits of this product category to both older and younger friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors.

Hemp topical use by gender

Unsurprisingly, interest in “CBD beauty and personal care products” remains significantly skewed toward women, though perhaps using “beauty” in the name Statista chose for its 2021 survey on the subject² suppressed male response. This survey, which used the same pool of 30,000+ participants mentioned in the previous section, found that 24% of American women were interested in buying CBD topical body products compared to only 16% of men. At 10%, even fewer men were interested in CBD bath products.

As societal norms related to gender continue to evolve, it would be unwise to assume that the market for CBD topical products will be limited to individuals who identify as female. With an increasing number of men also seeking alternative options for health and personal care, there is potential for CBD topicals to be embraced by a diverse range of consumers, including those who identify as male.

In any case, all individuals could use a bit of coaching when it comes to the benefits of cannabinoid topicals. Only a quarter of women are even interested in CBD topicals, which goes to show they simply aren’t aware of the immense benefits and minimal risks this cannabinoid can offer when applied topically. The work of expressing the value of hemp topicals to both men and women is far from over, and it would also be prudent to recognize that the difference between the two genders is currently on the wane.

Why do people want to use cannabinoid topicals?

It’s one thing to know who uses a product you intend to sell, but it’s another to understand the motivations that drive users of your product. When you know not only who your market is but also what motivates them, you can discover ways your brand might be able to reach additional groups of consumers who might share similar motivations.

For insights into the reasons consumers use CBD topicals, we turn to a third Statista survey³, this time from 2022. Featuring a much smaller pool of only 622 respondents aged between 21 and 65 years, this survey zeroed in on the primary motivations driving individuals who have already chosen to use CBD topicals.

Thirty-five percent of respondents cited reduction of inflammation as their main reason for trying CBD topicals, meaning that this single motivation drives more than a third of the current cannabinoid topical market. Given the general reputation CBD has received as an anti-inflammatory, it’s unsurprising that so many people are turning to this cannabinoid for its potential help with inflammation. It’s also no secret at this point that applying CBD topically usually allows more cannabinoids to reach the affected area more quickly.

Coming in second place as the most-reported motivation for buying CBD topicals was the urging of friends or family members. Though hardly anyone knew what it was a decade ago, CBD has long since become a household name, making it nearly as common to recommend to people you know who are in pain as Aspirin or ibuprofen.

CBD has also taken hold in the natural health community due to its natural origin and apparently very limited side effect profile. Whether it’s someone from a different generation, social group, or lifestyle, recommendations to try CBD topicals are coming from trusted individuals in all different walks of life.

Why don’t people use cannabinoid topicals more?

If topical products containing CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoids offer so many impressive benefits, why has this category historically experienced slower growth than quick winners like oils and capsules? Statista offers the answer to that question within the results of a 2022 survey⁴ featuring 1,157 respondents.

In this survey, consumers who had previously bought CBD topicals or skincare products were asked why they had not done so again. It may not come as much of a shock to those with awareness of the ins and outs of the hemp industry that the most-cited reason (32%) was the perceived high cost of topical CBD products.

There it is, plain and simple: Even if they’re convinced of the benefits, average people who use CBD topicals often can’t afford to continue doing so. The answer to this problem is just as simple: Thoroughly explain the value of CBD topicals while doing as much as you can to reduce pricing without impacting margins.

How much do CBD topicals cost?

To better understand the primary detractor keeping more people from using CBD topicals more frequently, we turn to a Statista market report⁵ published in 2021 consisting of data derived from 3,000+ products made by over 100 brands. In this report, Statista found that CBD topicals are the most expensive CBD products overall at nearly $0.20 per milligram.

With an increased understanding of the value of common ingredients, savvy shoppers are scrutinizing CBD topical labels and having trouble coming up with justifications for their high price tags.

In this case, the consumers aren’t exactly wrong. With many CBD topicals, prices are inflated dramatically due to the presence of additional expensive ingredients or delicate production processes. Though they’re becoming more educated on cannabinoid products, shoppers still have trouble telling genuinely high-quality cannabinoid topicals apart from low-value products capitalizing on a trend.

The answer is to reduce the pricing of CBD topicals when possible, and when not, simply explain the value of the product in ways shoppers can understand. Consumers will pay a lot for the benefits of CBD, but they have to feel confident in their decisions first.

How to make cannabinoid topicals appealing in 2023

Sitting on the shelf next to equally high-end products containing other ingredients, it can be hard for shoppers to understand why CBD topicals are worth the high prices they command. Thankfully, some of the best ways to optimize your cannabinoid product offerings overall also go a long way toward reducing costs without impacting your bottom line.

Below, we’ll take a look at five specific tips you can follow to boost the traction of CBD topicals in 2023 in any online or in-person retail environment:

1. Reduced price

First, it’s a bald fact that nobody wants to pay top dollar for CBD in 2023. The days in which hemp cannabinoids were niche substances capable of commanding higher prices are in their waning phase, and consumers are now led by the examples created by savvy CBD brands that have reduced prices without impacting quality.

When seeking ways to reduce your MSRP, it’s common to first turn to ingredient quality and margins. It’s often the case, though, that inefficient methods hold brands back from producing the same results at a lower price point. By streamlining your ingredients acquisition or other components of the formulation process, you might be able to pass savings onto customers without harming your bottom line.

2. Simpler ingredients

These days, shoppers want their products to contain the simplest, most natural ingredients possible. It’s often possible to turn this trend to your advantage: Fewer ingredients can sometimes mean reduced cost to formulate your product, and you might even be able to secure higher-quality ingredients with that wiggle room.

Coming up with a simple, efficient CBD topical formulation doesn’t have to involve reinventing the wheel. Brands often uncover massive opportunities for cost savings by offloading some or all of their formulation processes to a white labeler, for instance.

3. More cannabinoids

The sentiment certainly hasn’t soured toward CBD, but it’s not the only hemp cannabinoid around anymore, either. A growing contingent of CBD shoppers want their products also to contain CBG or CBN — or at least they want to have the option.

Substituting more-expensive ingredients for additional isolated cannabinoids is one way you can add value to your product while also simplifying its formulation and reducing its production cost. Even in their isolated forms, cannabinoids are still believed to provide the entourage effect when combined, leading to even more opportunities to make products appear valuable and beneficial to shoppers.

4. Universal appeal

While it may be true that 35% of cannabinoid topical users do so for help with inflammation, that also means that 65% use cannabinoid topicals for other reasons. While marketing CBD topicals toward specific conditions may still be appropriate under certain circumstances, it’s also important to make your products as universally appealing as possible.

Instead of describing a CBD topical as a specific ailment cream, you might want to label it an “muscle and joint cream” to also include athletic shoppers. Especially if your cannabinoid topicals will be occupying physical shelves in 2023, it’s important to catch the eye of casual customers who might be simply looking for something to help with their condition, not specifically for CBD.

5. Specialized effects

At the same time that it’s important to make CBD topicals universally appealing, it’s just as essential to make them potently effective for certain uses. CBD is only one compound, for instance — you might want to accompany it with a substance like capsaicin in a topical product designed to help with muscle pain.

It may not be necessary to overtly advertise every specialization you add to your cannabinoid topical formula. What’s important is that when a shopper uses your product, it works. They won’t necessarily want to know why it works — they might not even care if it contains CBD.

How to make 2023’s winning CBD topical

There are two ways of looking at the CBD topical market going into 2023: On the one hand, it’s one of the slowest-growing CBD subsections even though it commands the highest prices. On the other hand, though, that makes it one of the CBD product categories with the most opportunity — the pain points in the CBD topical market are easy to identify and rectify with a product that fits shopper motivations for using CBD while eliminating disincentives. Below, we’ll take a look at three tips that can help you achieve this goal:

— Top-tier ingredients

It’s a fact that formulating CBD topicals is more complicated than putting together other types of CBD products. As a result, many brands resort to inferior ingredients just to make sure other parts of their formulations work well with each other.

In other cases, brands might use high-end, boutique ingredients in their cannabinoid topicals because they think doing so imparts value. It also raises prices, though, which is the predominant pain point in the CBD topical industry at present.

— Professional methods

Trying to put together a winning CBD topical formulation without any help might not be a winning or profitable strategy in the long term. Formulating topicals is unavoidably complicated, and inefficient topical formulations won’t perform as well due to their ratio of higher prices to reduced effects.

That’s one of the reasons it can be so useful to seek the assistance of an expert in the field. The right large-scale cannabinoid private labeler will have long since discovered the most efficient and effective ways to formulate CBD topicals, saving you the trouble of struggling to put together a winning formula with no support.

— Timely formulation

The times are changing quickly, and your CBD topical formula must be able to change with it. The best-performing CBD topicals on the market cost less, feature more cannabinoids, and offer higher ingredient quality than the competition. They’re fine-tuned to the needs of today’s cannabinoid shoppers, and their formulations can be adapted as necessary to incorporate new innovations and cost-saving techniques.

Summary: Cannabinoid skincare & topicals in 2023

With due diligence from a select group of brands, 2023 could be the year that cannabinoid topicals and skincare products stop being viewed as the most expensive CBD products with benefits that are the hardest to understand. It could be the year that making the decision to buy a CBD topical becomes as easy as making the decision to buy sunscreen, moisturizer, or a pain cream containing any other ingredient.

CBD topicals don’t need to become just as affordable as other types of topicals. All that needs to happen is a confluence of slightly reduced pricing and better ambassadorship. There’s massive potential in the CBD topical sub-market just waiting to be explored by intrepid brands that aren’t afraid to take educated risks.

Sources

1. 1. Statista. (2022, June 14). Consumer interest in CBD beauty and care products in the U.S. 2021, by generation. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290066/consumer-interest-in-cbd-beauty-and-care-products-in-the-us-by-generation/
2. 2. Statista. (2022a, June 14). Consumer interest in CBD beauty and care products in the U.S. 2021, by gender. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290056/consumer-interest-in-cbd-beauty-and-care-products-in-the-us-by-gender/
3. 3. Statista. (2022c, December 12). Reasons to buy CBD skincare among U.S. shoppers 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1350854/reasons-to-buy-cbd-skincare-among-usa-shoppers/
4. 4. Statista. (2022c, December 12). Deterrents to CBD skincare purchases in the U.S. 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1350859/deterrents-to-cbd-skincare-shopping-usa/
5. 5. Statista. (2022c, August 19). Average price per milligram CBD U.S. 2021, by segment. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1327628/typical-cannabidiol-dose-us/