CBD oil is a topic in many headlines today. As Christians we are called to keep a clear mind and represent Jesus well.
CBD oil, when used legally under the close supervision of a physician, may hold benefits for patients in need of it. However, there are adverse effects from interactions with CBD as it pertains to medical conditions and medications that only a physician can understand and address. If an inappropriate and unsafe product is used, it could be harmful, contain higher levels of THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) than is legally allowed for hemp CBD, and even lead to positive urine drug test in a drug free work environment if the product is not fully vetted from the seed of that plant to the sale of that product.
Also, each state has special laws governing the sale and use of CBD and as Christians we are responsible for knowing and following the law of the land. For many, determining if the source, purchase, or sale of CBD is legal in your state or if the product is safe can be difficult. Finding a physician qualified to determine if its use poses any risk to you could be challenging. So proceed with caution and appropriate medical and/or legal advice if you are unsure.
See my post below for more information.
-Dr. Sasha Noe
A day does not go by without someone asking me about CBD. It’s a super “hot topic,” and given the potential benefits, folks are reaching for it wherever they can find it.
This brings us to the CBD industry which has grown into a multi-million (and projected to be a multi-billion) dollar industry, just like the billion-dollar supplement industry. And frankly the answers to CBD product questions are not that simple. It is important that if you are considering purchasing an “over the counter” version of hemp CBD that you understand whether it is a legal source of CBD (not a simple answer), whether it meets appropriate safety and content standards (also not a simple answer), and whether the actual product you are being sold contains what you think you are purchasing (safe CBD and less than 0.3% THC—the definition of hemp derived CBD).
Most individuals do not understand how to select CBD products and are spending lots of money on products that may or may not be high quality and safe CBD, that may or may not contain THC, that may or may not be safe, and that may or may not help.
How do you know it’s safe? Have you examined their growing methods, safety testing, and extraction protocols?
How do you know it contains consistent levels of CBD? Have you examined their certificates of analyses for each component and its contents?
How do you know if it meets the federal Farm Bill requirements? This is also complicated, and here is a link that might be helpful to you to understand more about the legalities of hemp vs medical cannabis CBD: http://bit.ly/2UqGgag
How do you know that it can be sold across state lines? This is also a complicated issue and the above article is a nice summary and stepping stone to understanding this concept.
It’s confusing and it’s not simple and I recommend that you do your homework before you purchase a product and before you go around giving medical advice about the effects or benefits of CBD.
As someone with 24 years in this field and as a researcher and physician, I can tell you that there is a lengthy discussion that I have with my patients regarding the risk vs benefits that needs to be considered for each individual. Each patient is different and his or her complex medical conditions can present differently. If you’re not a physician, you don’t understand the extensive depth and numerous intricacies of medicine and medical physiology. So I sincerely request that you refrain from giving medical advice if you are not a physician.
If you are someone selling CBD products, beware of recommending your products for specific medical conditions to the public when there are numerous factors that can influence a patient’s response to a medical treatment in the midst of all of his or her medical conditions and complicated medication regimens. CBD has many benefits. There is no doubt about it. However, it’s not 100% safe for everyone, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Just like OTC Aspirin, Tylenol and Motrin are helpful to many but are not safe for everyone.
As an expert in this field, I help patients all the time using medical cannabis, and I am constantly educating physicians so that they can be more equipped for these discussions with their patients. CBD definitely can be helpful to many patients, and that discussion is best had with your physician.
If you want to learn more, come visit me at my website at DrSashaNoe.com and follow me across social media @DrSashaNoe to stay informed.
