The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in marijuana, is nonaddictive and nontoxic and should not be considered a “scheduled drug,” meaning that it is not likely to be abused and is not illegal to manufacture or distribute. Therefore, the WHO has declared it should not be internationally treated as a controlled substance.
This is a big step for the health world, where marijuana in all its many forms has been highly debated, both for its potential dangers and for its potential benefits. Part of the trouble comes from the fact that all types and parts of marijuana, including medically used CBD, are classified by the United States in the same general “marijuana” category as the addictive plant that causes a “high” and is used for recreational purposes. Although several states have legalized medical marijuana use, it remains illegal at the federal level. The Drug Enforcement Administration, therefore, is highly unlikely to approve the research on CBD that might prove how beneficial and safe it is. [Read more…]