Why Is CBD So Popular? 7 Reasons Behind the Boom
Within a few years, CBD went from a niche product to something sold in grocery stores and coffee shops. Here are the main reasons, and what to look for as the market matures.
Not long ago, most people had never heard of CBD. Within a few years it was everywhere: in pharmacies, grocery stores, coffee shops, gas stations and online marketplaces. A 2019 Gallup poll found that 14% of Americans said they personally used CBD products, a remarkable number for something that had only recently become widely available.
So what happened? Here are seven reasons CBD became so popular, and what to keep in mind as the market keeps changing.
Key takeaways
- The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp legal at the federal level, opening the door to mainstream CBD products.
- CBD is not intoxicating, which makes it appealing to people who would never use marijuana.
- Products now come in many forms, from gummies to balms.
- Quality varies widely, so lab reports matter more than ever.
1. Hemp became legal at the federal level
The single biggest reason is a change in the law. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp, defined as cannabis with no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight, from the federal list of controlled substances. That made it possible to grow hemp and sell hemp-derived products, including CBD, across much of the country. Farmers planted hemp, investors funded new brands, and retailers stocked shelves.
The legal picture is not completely settled. The FDA has not approved CBD as a dietary supplement or food ingredient, states have their own rules, and hemp laws continue to change. But 2018 is when CBD moved into the mainstream.
2. CBD is not intoxicating
CBD comes from the same plant as marijuana, but it does not cause the intoxication associated with THC. For many people, that difference made CBD feel approachable. Someone who would never consider marijuana might be willing to try a CBD balm or gummy. Our article on whether CBD is psychoactive explains the difference.
3. A prescription CBD medicine drew attention
In 2018, the FDA approved a prescription medicine made from purified CBD for certain rare seizure disorders. It was the first FDA-approved drug made from a cannabis plant compound. The approval brought CBD a great deal of media attention and encouraged more research. It is important to know that the approval applies only to that prescription medicine. CBD products sold in stores are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
4. There is a product for every routine
CBD is sold in more forms than almost any other ingredient:
- Gummies and other edibles
- Oils and tinctures
- Balms, lotions, massage oils and roll-ons
- Lip balms and skin care
- Capsules and drinks
That variety lets people fit CBD into routines they already have, whether that is a morning coffee, an evening skin care step, or a post-workout massage. Our CBD topicals and CBD gummy jars are two of the most popular formats.
5. Interest in plant-based products
CBD arrived at a time when many shoppers were already looking for plant-based and natural products, from herbal teas to botanical skin care. CBD fit neatly into that trend.
6. Word of mouth and social media
Much of CBD’s growth came from people telling friends and family, and from social media. That helped CBD spread quickly, but it also spread a lot of exaggerated claims. Be wary of any product or post that promises CBD will cure a condition.
7. It is easy to buy
Unlike marijuana, which is sold only in licensed dispensaries where it is legal, hemp-derived CBD is sold in ordinary stores and online in many states. Easy access made trying CBD a low-effort decision.
The downside of the boom
Rapid growth brought quality problems. Independent testing has repeatedly found CBD products with more or less CBD than their labels claim, and some with THC that was not listed. A widely cited 2017 study found that only about 31% of 84 CBD products bought online were accurately labeled for CBD content.
That is why the most important habit for any CBD shopper is reading the lab report. A certificate of analysis from a testing lab shows how much CBD a batch contains and whether THC was detected. Our guide on how to read a CBD lab report walks through it step by step, and how to choose CBD oil covers the other things to check.
Where CBD goes from here
The CBD market is maturing. Shoppers are more informed, more brands publish lab reports, and regulators continue to debate how CBD should be handled. Rules may keep changing at both the state and federal level, so it is worth staying informed about the laws where you live.
How we make Airlie CBD
We make our products in small batches in Albany, Oregon, and every product page shows the CBD measured in that batch with a link to the full report. Every report shows THC as not detected. You can see them all on our lab results page. We also sell wholesale CBD gummies for shops that want to offer lab-tested products.
Frequently asked questions
When did CBD become popular?
Interest grew through the 2010s and jumped after the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp legal at the federal level.
Is CBD legal in all 50 states?
Hemp-derived CBD is legal under federal law, but states set their own rules, and some restrict certain products.
Why is CBD everywhere?
Federal legalization of hemp, easy access, many product types and strong consumer interest all played a part.
Is CBD a fad?
CBD has stayed popular for years, but the market is changing. Quality and transparency are becoming more important.
How do I find a good CBD product?
Look for a clear amount of CBD in milligrams, a batch-matched lab report, and a brand you can contact.