You’ve likely heard about all the potential benefits of medical cannabis, including cannabidiol (CBD). New research is coming out all the time about its possible benefits for a plethora of health conditions. If you’re a parent, there are many possible benefits for common conditions and serious ailments, and they are hard to ignore.
That said, the stigma of medical cannabis still lingers. Marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, and research, while increasingly robust, is still limited compared with traditional pharmaceutical options. As any parent knows, even the most mundane parenting decisions can be controversial, with many people firmly on one side of the issue or the other. However, desperate parents seeking relief for their children have found incredible success with CBD. As more research is conducted, more people are becoming educated on all their options. Of course, early states that legalized medical cannabis saw an immediate uptick in families moving there to get the help their children need.
Luckily, parents don’t have to weigh the costs and benefits of introducing medical marijuana with psychoactive ingredients on developing brains because there is another option. CBD is the second leading ingredient in the cannabis plant and can be extracted from the hemp plant, which doesn’t contain enough THC to be illegal. ReThink CBD contains no THC. If you’re considering purchasing CBD for a minor, here’s what you need to know.
What is CBD, and what are its potential benefits for children?
CBD is one of the compounds found in the hemp plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD doesn’t get you high but contains many of the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana. It is non-addictive and virtually impossible to suffer an overdose. Hemp plants grown for CBD extraction must have less than .3 percent THC to be federally legal in the United States.
CBD can potentially be an effective sleep aid, so individuals suffering from insomnia or night terrors have a chance to improve their condition from a few CBD oil drops. CBD may also help with anxiety, chronic pain, and inflammation. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a cannabidiol-based medicine for treating two severe forms of epilepsy in patients two years old and older.
What are the benefits of CBD for minors?
Before you decide if CBD is right for your child, you should consult with a doctor to make sure it won’t interact with any existing medications or treatment plans. Some of the many reasons parents are turning to CBD for holistic treatment of their child’s medical ailments include:
- Help with prevention and management of nausea
- Alternative natural method for pain management
- Reduce anxiety in anxious and autistic children
- Improve sleep quality and ability to fall asleep
- Manage symptoms in some epileptic conditions
- Relax lung and chest muscles to curb respiratory symptoms such as coughing
- Soothe inflammation and improve symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases
CBD is far from an end-all-be-all, but for many parents, it has drastically improved their child’s life when combined with lifestyle changes and other treatment methods. If you take anything from the growing popularity of CBD, let it be the importance of open mindedness. CBD and other modern treatments were nothing more than a pipe-dream in the past, but now they are readily available for people to utilize as needed.
How does CBD work in the body?
CBD works with our bodies’ endocannabinoid systems (ECS), helping to regulate biological functions such as inflammation, appetite, sleep, and mood. Because CBD is similar to the endocannabinoid hormones our bodies produce, it has been shown to provide possible relief from more than 50 different conditions. Early research also indicates that CBD may help benefit bone, heart, and brain health.
Is CBD oil legal for minors to buy and use?
CBD has so many potential benefits; you may be wondering: is there a CBD age restriction? Alternately, you may be wondering: if the legal drinking age is 21, do you have to be 21 to buy CBD? The short answer is no. CBD is relatively unregulated for now. Because CBD products don’t contain THC, you don’t need a prescription from a doctor to buy and use CBD products. There aren’t any federal guidelines for the legal age to buy and use CBD products, and there aren’t any federal rules preventing parents from purchasing CBD products for their children to use.
Do you have to be 18 to buy CBD online?
In states where CBD sales are legal, physical stores may ask you to verify you are 18. Online CBD retailers also have standard measures in place to inquire about your age. In general, you have to be 18 or older, although in some cases, you have to be 21.
Considerations to make when shopping for CBD for minors
First, consult knowledgeable professionals. Although your child’s pediatrician may not have the latest information available about CBD’s potential benefits, it’s crucial to loop them into any new treatment options you’re considering. A growing number of pediatric neurologists are aware of CBD’s capabilities, and you may even find a cannabis consultant who can help guide you on methods and dosing.
Once you start looking, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a store that doesn’t carry CBD products. CBD is sold everywhere, from health stores and dispensaries to trendy boutiques and online vendors. Keep in mind that most dispensaries and smoke shops don’t allow minors inside, and some require customers to be at least 21 years of age. However, just because a product is available at convenient locations, doesn’t mean it is the best source for the product.
Do your research and purchase from a reputable source
There are products available that are formulated for children and pets. Of course, several states and local municipalities have set their own rules, so you should check your city and state laws before buying any CBD products. A few states still haven’t legalized any medical cannabis, including CBD, so it’s important to check local laws first. Furthermore, retailers are able to make their own rules determining how old you need to be to buy CBD, so keep that in mind when researching reputable CBD companies.
Purchasing from our reputable online retailer will allow you to ensure the product is grown in the USA. You should also ask about test results from an independent third-party facility on any products available. Responsible companies will want to share their test results and batch ingredients. Of course, you’ll want to be sure that the CBD you’re purchasing is grown from hemp and contains less than .3% THC. It is impossible to get high from CBD derived from hemp.
CBD product doses are clearly marked, so they are ideal to start very small and gradually increase. It is usually taken in oil form under the tongue, as a consumable such as a capsule or gummy, or topically as a cream. For children, CBD oil can be mixed into food. Reported side effects are limited, but may include drowsiness, dry mouth, and increased appetite. Keep in mind that CBD is not covered by insurance, so it will be an out-of-pocket expense. Although families have come forward with incredible testimonies of how CBD has changed their lives, they argue that it’s a small price to pay for the enhanced quality of life their children experience.
While CBD may not be a magic bullet, there’s enough data currently available to know it’s certainly worth considering, as long as it’s legal in your area. Children with several different diagnoses have experienced serious relief from their symptoms. As with any supplement or medicine, consult your child’s doctor before beginning a regimen. For more information about our CBD products for sale, including CBD oils, CBD gummies, and CBD topicals, browse our online shop!
