A Beginner's Guide to CBD

CBD is everywhere right now. As the surprise ingredient in the breakfast tonic for your fave Instagram babe. As the seductive addition to cocktail menus for those fancy spots. As the topic du jour for mainstream media. And as the ever divisive subject of all these policy debates. 

But seriously: What is it? Why can’t you get a goddamn straight answer? We know the feeling. After all, CBD may be federally legal (more on that below) but it’s still unregulated. That means there’s a lot of noise to wade through if you want to get to the solid, simple truth.

Need it broken all the way down? Here are your answers—because everyone’s got to start somewhere.

So...WTF is CBD?

Our bodies all contain an endocannabinoid system (ECS) made up of receptors that receive cannabinoids—the tiny chemical compounds containing neurotransmitters that communicate with this system—and cannabinoids themselves. Yes, our body is designed to ingest plants, including cannabis. 

The ECS helps maintain a state of homeostasis; a general balance and well-being, where our body functions as it should. If something’s out of whack, cannabinoids come rushing in, ready to address the imbalance within the tissues. As you can probably imagine, introducing additional cannabinoids—such as the most famous non-psychoactive one, cannabidiol or CBD—means an additional “push” to achieve that elusive homeostasis. 

But it’s not that simple. 

Recent research suggests that CBD actually serves to support our body’s own corrective functioning rather than simply “intervening”. Instead, you can think of CBD as the compound that acts as a preservative for what’s already there—enabling your body to better repair and maintain itself.

CBD just one of over a hundred cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, alongside many terpenes too. The plant’s most well-known psychoactive compound, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, will straight up get you high. CBD, on the other hand, will not. And that’s despite the fact that it possesses many of the therapeutic properties of its psychoactive sister.

When it comes to verifying the many scientific claims being made about the benefits of CBD, researchers are more and more optimistic, however regulations mean that many claims remain unverified. In promising news, the FDA recently approved the first CBD medication, used to treat children suffering from seizures.

CBD is commonly used to address inflammation, relieve stress, manage pain, support restful sleep, and increase sexual pleasure.

Is it legal?

Yes! CBD derived from hemp, which means it contains less than 0.3 percent THC and therefore won’t affect any psychactivity—is legal in all 50 states. And that’s been true since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. Miss Grass curates and sells exclusively hemp-derived cannabis products, so you are safe to shop.

What do I buy?

The recent legalization of cannabis has resulted in a deluge of CBD products. There are CBD-only sublingual tinctures, beauty serums, infused-lubricants, creams, capsules, powders and more. And if you live in a state where recreational adult use or medical use is legal, your options grow exponentially.

What if I want the benefits of CBD, but still want to feel that high?

That’s an option too! There are tons of flowers, edibles, vapes, and sublinguals that have great ratios of CBD to THC and other terpenes and cannabinoids. If you’re looking to get high too, hit up a dispensary and ask questions.

But what if I get lost?

I know it can feel confusing. It’s normal to be overwhelmed by the information—or by the lack of information. But remember to use your budtender’s brain to help you navigate. And send all your questions to Miss Grass.