CBD has gradually been legalized throughout the United States over the past few years – cue the standing ovation!
Not only is this a huge victory for the cannabis movement in general, but we’re already starting to see the positive effects of these decisions throughout the economy and culture.
The benefits of legalizing CBD are more wide-reaching and varied than you may think, with implications in areas such as medicine, healthcare, recreation, and even food and beverage.
It’s not just CBD advocates that are thrilled about the legalization of this wonderful product. Customers, companies, and even governing organizations are excited about this development for many reasons.
We asked a bunch of industry leaders in the CBD space about how legalization has impacted them in a positive way, and how these benefits are amplified in other – perhaps unexpected – areas of business and life.
1. A Whole New Industry Emerges
How often do we get to witness the emergence of an entire new industry before our very eyes? That doesn’t happen every day, or even every decade, for that matter.
“With CBD finally legalized throughout the states, we can observe an industry in its early stages and anticipate the different directions it will go,” said Lisa Odenweller, CEO and Founder of Kroma Wellness. “This means opportunities for investment, never-before-seen inventions, and plenty of intriguing new ideas and products to enjoy.”
2. More Revenue for Public Services
For state and local governments, a few extra thousands of dollars in tax revenue never hurts. In an age where funding is somewhat scarce, CBD can help spark an influx of cash for communities that need it most.
“Legalizing Cannabis helps bring in more tax dollars for the community governments to work with,” said Brandon Adcock, Co-Founder and CEO of Nugenix. “The first year that Colorado legalized and taxed cannabis, they brought in over 3 million that was then placed in the education system. There is a huge opportunity to benefit local communities and the economy by legalizing cannabis.”
3. Welcome Alternatives for Anxiety Relief
For decades, pharmaceutical companies and psychiatric professionals have looked for ways to reduce anxiety in patients young and old.
CBD has shown to be very promising as a tool to relieve anxiety once and for all, without many of the harmful downsides that come with other forms of medication.
“When you compare the profile of CBD to the standard lineup of anti-anxiety meds offered by most doctors, you’ll clearly see it’s a safer and smarter option,” said Guna Kakulapati, Co-Founder and CEO of Cure Hydration. “There’s less likelihood of addiction, most importantly, and it’s also easier on the body for the long term.”
4. Finally, a Good Night’s Sleep
A combination of stress and health issues has left a huge portion of the population with poor sleep each night. While CBD might not be an instant fix for perfect sleep every night, it can help people polish up their sleep hygiene and finally get some restorative rest.
“The best thing you can do for sleep is to exhaust yourself during the day with work, play, and physical activity,” said Nicholas Vasiliou, CEO of BioHealth Nutrition. “But when the sun is setting, a few drops of CBD oil or a gummy can help you shift into relaxation mode and signal to your body and mind that it’s nearly time to sleep.”
5. A Win Against Chronic Inflammation
Nearly every common disease in the modern era is somehow linked to chronic inflammation. Whether it’s cardiovascular congestion, lung issues, cognitive dysfunction, or simply joint and back pain, inflammation seems to play a part.
Thankfully, CBD helps cool things down and lets the body recover as it should.
“That’s one thing that nearly every study agrees on when it comes to CBD – it has some very powerful anti-inflammatory properties,” said Rachel Jones, Head of PR at Hope Health. “This means that an entire generation of people can now live with less inflammation in their bodies and enjoy life in a way they never thought possible.
6. Different Modes of Delivery
There is more than one way to get the benefits of CBD for your body and mind. In fact, the legalization process has helped usher in a huge range of new products that can help people feel and perform better.
Just compare the selection of today’s CBD products to the variety from a few years ago. The difference in scope and size is astounding.
“It didn’t take long for market saturation to occur in the CBD space, and that’s a good thing,” said Chris Hetherington, Founder and CEO of Peels.com. “It’s way more than just oil – we’re looking at tinctures, gummies, vapes, skincare products, bath soaps, and so much more. Watching it all unfold is a bit like a gold rush, and the results are amazing to see.”
7. Self-Care in the Spotlight
Everyone seems to be discussing self-care in the media and among friends, but how many people actually follow through with positive, healthy habits that benefit them in a genuine way?
Newsflash: self-care isn’t about pizza, wine, and TV shows. It’s about taking care of your body and mind the right way, and CBD can help people of all ages accomplish that.
“I think we all know intuitively what is healthy for us, and what self-care really means,” said Sarah Pirrie, Brand Director at Healist Naturals. “CBD is like a spark plug to power healthy living in so many ways, without having the downsides of things like booze or junk food. It’s free of calories and actually serves us for the better. That’s what self-care should truly be.”
8. Young Entrepreneurs Empowered By CBD
Our modern world is shaped by innovators who take big risks in starting companies and changing lives. The CBD industry is perfectly positioned for new entrepreneurs to step up to the plate and take that chance they’ve been waiting for all along.
“Legalization is like a golden ticket for many young people wanting to start a business for the first time, and there’s so much positive energy building in this space,” said Inesa Ponomariovaite, Founder of Nesa’s Hemp. “Even folks who never anticipated they’d be a business founder or owner – they’re seeing opportunities and seizing them. That’s a good omen for the future of business and entrepreneurship in general.”
9. Paving the Way for More Cannabis Products
We can rightfully celebrate the success of CBD, but the road to legalizing other cannabis goods is still a long one, with plenty of uncertainty as well.
However, as CBD proves safe and effective in the years to come, many business owners are expecting legalization to continue across the board and open up even more opportunities.
“When you realize that CBD is just the first domino to fall, you start to see a massive world of potential open up on the horizon,” said Rym Selmi, Founder of MiiRO. “People will start recognizing the benefits and wonder how these can be expanded and amplified into other areas. The process will be slow at first, but we expect the pace to accelerate and things to develop rather quickly in the near future.”
10. A Healthy Cultural Shift
The stigma of cannabis is finally wearing thin, and people are recognizing that they can have fun without serious health consequences. Alcohol will still play a role in the bar scene, but CBD represents a way to enjoy life without the calories and hangovers.
“CBD will change culture,” said Guardian Contributor Tim Lewis. “People are less interested in drinking in bars, getting really drunk, feeling terrible the next day, letting their body down, having issues with their body because of that. The shift is happening: more people are interested in eating healthier, living healthier, and this is part of that.”
11. Creative Renaissance and Collaboration
There’s something about CBD and organic products that invites a collaborative atmosphere in the business world.
As many company owners can attest, legalization has a knock-on effect across the economy, and everyone benefits in terms of finances and fun.
“You look at the food and beverage industry and see how something like CBD can bring about new opportunities for owners and employees,” said Charlie McKenna, Chef and Founder of Lillie’s Q. “It’s a cultural thing, and it’s about people getting together. That’s why we’re seeing so many crossovers, partnerships, and other positive forms of collaboration.”
12. Conscious Consumption Trends
The introduction of CBD has inspired shoppers to be more conscientious about what they buy, and this is a great sign for small companies with original ideas to thrive.
“There is more curiosity and excitement now, and people want to know where their products come from,” said Danielle Calabrese, COO of De La Calle. “CBD and cannabis products are also highly specialized, so that indicates that consumers are more interested in personalized solutions and tailored products that suit their unique needs.”
13. Still Many Possibilities to Discover
CBD has only been in the spotlight for a few years, and there is still so much research to gather in the different areas of discovery. Expect more breakthroughs and developments as CBD continues to shine.
“This biochemical promiscuity is one reason CBD seems so medically promising,” said Yasmin Hurd, Neuroscientist at Mount Sinai, in New York. “Modern neuroscience often tries to target one pathway or receptor, but it may not address what are often network-wide problems. “The brain is about a symphony. CBD can bring the entire symphony into harmony.”
Now is the perfect time to dive into the world of CBD and see what you can find. With so many amazing companies and products to choose from, you can’t miss!