Cannabidiol (CBD) has been used unknowingly as part of the cannabis plant for millennia, but its modern history began with its scientific isolation in 1940 and the subsequent discoveries of its non-psychoactive nature and therapeutic potential. 

Ancient Use

Humans have cultivated and used the Cannabis sativa plant for over 5,000 years, primarily for its fiber, seeds (as food), and medicinal properties. 

• 2737 BCE: Chinese Emperor Shen Nung made cannabis-infused tea to treat ailments like gout, malaria, and rheumatism, the first documented use of medical cannabis.
• 1839: Irish physician William B. O’Shaughnessy published a study on the therapeutic effects of cannabis, helping to introduce it to Western medicine as an anesthetic and pain reliever. 

Modern Scientific Discovery and Research

The 20th century marked the beginning of understanding the specific compounds within cannabis. 

• 1940: American chemist Roger Adams at the University of Illinois successfully isolated CBD from the cannabis plant, although its structure was not fully understood at the time.
• 1946: Dr. Walter S. Loewe conducted the first tests on lab animals, determining that CBD was non-intoxicating, unlike other components of the plant.
• 1963: Israeli chemist Dr. Raphael Mechoulam fully detailed the chemical structure and stereochemistry of CBD, a pivotal moment in cannabis research.
• 1964: Mechoulam and his team isolated and identified the structure of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound, clarifying the distinct effects of THC and CBD.
• Late 1980s/Early 1990s: Researchers discovered the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body—a complex cell-signaling system that interacts with cannabinoids. 

Legal and Medical Milestones

The legal status of cannabis and CBD has undergone significant changes, largely driven by research into its medical potential. 

• 1937: The Marihuana Tax Act in the US effectively criminalized cannabis, hindering research.
• 1970: The Controlled Substances Act classified all cannabis products as Schedule I drugs, with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, creating further barriers to study.
• 1978: New Mexico passed the Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act, the first US state bill to legally recognize the medicinal value of cannabis for research.
• 1980: Dr. Mechoulam conducted a study showing that high-dose CBD could significantly reduce seizures in epileptic patients, a major medical breakthrough that was largely unnoticed at the time due to stigma.
• 2013: The story of Charlotte Figi, a young girl whose severe epilepsy (Dravet syndrome) was drastically improved by high-CBD, low-THC cannabis oil, gained national media attention on CNN and galvanized public support for medical CBD access.
• 2018: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a prescription CBD oral solution for treating rare forms of childhood epilepsy, marking the first FDA-approved, naturally derived cannabis product.
• 2018: The U.S. Farm Bill was passed, which legalized the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp (defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC) at the federal level, leading to a boom in the consumer CBD market. 

Uses and Potential Benefits

CBD has therapeutic properties and is widely used for various health issues, although the only FDA-approved use is in a prescription medication called Epidiolex for treating rare, severe forms of childhood epilepsy (Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). 

Beyond the FDA-approved use, people report using CBD to help manage symptoms for a variety of conditions, and ongoing research is exploring its effectiveness: 

• Chronic Pain and Inflammation: CBD is commonly used for pain relief, with some animal and human studies suggesting it may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis or neuropathic pain.
• Anxiety and Insomnia: Many users report that CBD can help reduce anxiety, stress, and improve sleep quality by promoting a sense of calm.
• Neurological Disorders: Research suggests potential neuroprotective properties, and studies are ongoing for conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Nausea: CBD may help manage nausea and vomiting, particularly related to chemotherapy treatments. 

CBD is available in many forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles (like gummies), topical creams or gels, and patches. 

Current Federal Landscape

• 2018 Farm Bill: This landmark legislation removed hemp, defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, from the Controlled Substances Act, legalizing its cultivation and the production of hemp-derived CBD products.
• FDA Regulations: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has maintained that it is illegal to introduce CBD into interstate commerce as a food additive or dietary supplement, except for one approved prescription drug for seizures called Epidiolex. This has left much of the market in a legal “gray area”. 

Recent Legislative Changes

A new provision was inserted into the federal government’s November 2025 spending package (H.R. 5371) that drastically changes the definition of legal hemp products. 

• New THC Limit: The law redefines hemp products, mandating that finished, direct-to-consumer products cannot contain more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, including other intoxicating cannabinoids synthesized from CBD (such as delta-8 and delta-10). This is a significant change from the previous 0.3% concentration limit, as the new per-container limit is low enough to make nearly all full-spectrum CBD products and most hemp-derived THC products illegal.
• Effective Date: The ban takes effect on November 12, 2026, providing a one-year transition period.
• Industry Reaction: The hemp industry is actively lobbying Congress to repeal or amend this provision, arguing it will devastate the multi-billion dollar industry. Several lawmakers have also introduced bills to repeal the ban or establish alternative regulatory frameworks. 

Other Proposed Legislation

Separately, other bills have been introduced in Congress that aim to provide a clear regulatory pathway for CBD products: 

• H.R. 1628 – CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act of 2023: This bill would require the FDA to regulate food containing hemp-derived CBD as a food additive, establishing specific requirements for maximum CBD amounts, labeling, and packaging.

H.R. 1629 – Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2023: This legislation also aims to clarify the legal status of CBD in commerce.