Fourteen percent of Americans personally use products containing cannabidiol (CBD), according to a recent Gallup Poll. Meanwhile, 85% of people in the U.S. are either not yet familiar with the cannabis-derived ingredient or do not currently use it.
Cannabidiol is a nonpsychoactive component of the cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, which tends to contain high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD doesn’t get people high. However, many people use CBD products for their perceived health benefits.
Gallop’s survey shows that 40% of cannabidiol users cite pain relief as a primary reason for why they take CBD. Anxiety (20%), insomnia (11%), and arthritis (8%) are the next most cited reasons for CBD use.
Although the great majority of Americans do not currently use CBD, usage may be set to increase significantly in the coming years. The 2018 Farm Act legalized the production and sale of hemp-derived CBD when President Trump signed it into law in December. Since that time, many companies have ramped up their CBD production and distribution capabilities.