From folks making wild claims (for or against) CBD to start-ups frivolously hawking CBD products in one form or another, it seems that everywhere you turn the subject of CBD is at the forefront. Like any wildly popular trend or burgeoning industry, misinformation (whether intentional or accidental) — can lead to misunderstanding. The following are a few to the myths that we’ve encountered during our journey with CBD.

MYTH: The CBD industry is sketchy, therefore CBD must be sketchy.

Federally, hemp is legal. Marijuana is not. However, you can get CBD from both types of cannabis plants. This can definitely be confusing. So it’s true there’s a legal grey area where CBD exists. And you guessed it, this can breed some sketchy products. Lab tests have revealed that many items labeled as CBD products sold on the internet actually have little or no CBD in them. Worse, others falsely claim to have zero THC. It’s no wonder why critics feel compelled to point out quality and misinformation issues.

However, that being said, it would be inaccurate to equate all CBD products or companies as “snake oil” or “dishonest” because of some shady producers looking to make a quick buck. So yes, consumers should do their research before purchasing CBD. But it’s important to realize that there are companies, scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs at the forefront of developing quality products with the goal of successfully incorporating CBD for the positive results for the niches they serve.

It’s an exciting time, the possibilities are promising. Transparency and dialogue between companies and their customers are critical. This dialogue helps to build trust, share knowledge, new terminology and new standards as this dynamic market continues to evolve.

MYTH: CBD hasn’t been scientifically proven to help any health conditions.

There are many articles that state the CBD compound hasn’t been proven to help with any health conditions. Typical assertions are centered around statements like “little or no concrete evidence” or “indications point that it may be effective in some cases”. Statements like these are useful to caution people to be diligent in conducting their own research. But statements like these may at the same time unintentionally discourage a potential user away from learning about the successful experiences with CBD. With such a large range of users that have experienced positive results, it’s important to look at both sides of the coin when studying CBD. Also, it’s important when starting your own research to be clear on what you want from taking CBD.

There is obviously much research that must be conducted and we can all benefit from it. However, it’s simply not accurate to say that CBD hasn’t been proven to help any conditions. Last summer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based medication for seizure disorders that are difficult to treat. It’s the first cannabis-based (CBD-based) medication to get the agency’s approval since cannabis became a Schedule 1 drug in 1970.

It’s worth putting into context as to what a major development this is. Historically, the federal government Schedule 1 status on cannabis means it has “no medical value.” Yet the results of clinical trials of this CBD-based medication were so compelling that the FDA approved it. As a result, the entirety of cannabis’s Schedule 1 status is now in question.

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Epidiolex (cannabidiol) [CBD] oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Dravet syndrome, in patients two years of age and older. This is the first FDA-approved drug that contains a purified drug substance derived from marijuana.” — from the fda.gov website.

MYTH: It’s a Schedule 1 narcotic, so no research has been done on the compound.

There are two reasons why this statement is misleading. First, it’s true that cannabis’s Schedule 1 classification makes it difficult to conduct research on CBD. However, some U.S. universities have been permitted to research the plant. Second, contrary to this claim significant research has been conducted outside the US from a range of countries including the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Israel. Israel was the first country to study medical cannabis.

“Israel has recently been in the news after the government issued its long-delayed final approval of medical cannabis exports. Still, Israel’s most important cannabis export will arguably continue to be clinical data. While research in the United States remains strangled in a Schedule 1 chokehold, Israelis are diligently engaged in cannabis R&D, fueled by the country’s relatively supportive regulatory climate, well-established research infrastructure, and hyperactive entrepreneurial spirit.” — Forbes

Hype running wild isn’t new. This certainly holds true for CBD. Historically, consumers' trial lots of things before the science is definitive — diets and supplements are good examples. Currently, the science on CBD isn’t mature enough to conclude, one way or another. However, if the number of studies and clinical trials underway is any indication, preliminary research is catching up. This is good news for all consumers seeking to fill the void between science and what people really want to understand.