All around the world, CBD products have gained tremendous popularity in recent years. But when it comes to marijuana, it can be difficult to know what is legal and what is not. Indeed, some laws can vary from country to country like the use, the manufacture, and the age requirement to buy CBD. So, one the most common questions about CBD is : How old do you have to be to buy CBD and is it legal for minors ? Before answering this question, let’s take a closer look at what CBD is and how does it affect your brain and body.
What is CBD ?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one the many cannabinoids found in the marijuana plants. Unlike the other main cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. In other words, CBD will not get you high at all. With CBD, most people feel relaxed and relieved from their pain.
In Europe, industrial hemp plants can be high in CBD but they must contain less than 0.2% of THC to be legal. So, all the CBD products that you can buy on CBD shops respect this rule. There are several types of CBD products that you can buy such as oil concentrates, capsules, vape oil, cosmetic products and even pet products.
What are the health benefits of CBD ?
You have probably already heard about the huge potential of CBD as a natural alternative to some pharmaceutical products. Research even shows that CBD could treat a variety of health issues like : acne, anorexia, anxiety, depression, addiction, epilepsy, insomnia and many others. CBD has a lot of health benefits but does it mean that everyone, even minors, could get their hands on it ? Not exactly.
Why do you have to be 18 or 21 to buy CBD ?
Because CBD interacts with your brain and body
All humans have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), even cats and dogs. This system is responsible for regulating and balancing immune response, communication between cells, memory, appetite and many more. But sometimes, when you feel sick or weak, your body does not produce enough endocannabinoids and that is when CBD becomes so interesting. By stimulating the ECS, CBD promotes homeostasis, decreases inflammation and reduces the pain sensation. As it affects your brain and body, it seems normal and understandable that you have to be 18 or 21 to purchase CBD.
Because there are possible side effects
Although CBD is full of benefits and does not have any major risks for users, side effects are possible. The side effects can be low blood pressure, nausea, changes in mood, changes in appetite, vomiting… That is one of the reason why you must be over 18 to buy CBD and talk about it with your healthcare provider. So if you are over 18, you can buy CBD without any problem, but if you are a minor, only a professional could ensure that it is a good option for you. As with all medicines, it is not a decision to be taken lightly, especially for children.
Because the law imposes a minimum age to buy CBD
In Europe, CBD is legal if the THC content does not exceed 0.2% and you must be over 18 to buy some. However, in some countries like Canada and the United States, you must be over 21. You don’t need a medical prescription to buy or use CBD so technically, parents could give CBD to their children. In fact, not having the right to buy it, does not mean you can not use it ! Besides, most CBD shops are legally marketed to children and even pets.
To sum up, you have to be over 18 or 21 to buy CBD depending on your country but you can use it if your parents buy it for you and after seeking advice from your doctor.
Is CBD safe for minors ?
So far, CBD has been proven safe for children and it is even used to treat severe forms of epilepsy in children under 2 years old. As it is a natural alternative to pharmaceutical medications, more and more parents are choosing this option for their children. The most important is to talk about it with a doctor or a healthcare provider before trying CBD products on a minor to avoid any side effects.
Like all substances that can affect your condition, you must be over 18 to purchase it. Indeed, you must be aware of the risks and the consequences. Moreover, you must know how to dose and how to use it correctly so you don’t suffer from the possible side effects. To conclude, we can say that CBD is a safe product, but buying CBD is reserved for major and well-informed consumers for 3 main reasons :
- CBD interacts instantly with your brain and body
- CBD can sometimes trigger side effects
- Law imposes a minimum age to buy CBD
