CBD has only been on the market for a few years within the United States, but it’s already become a dominant force within the wellness industry. Since the 2018 Farm Bill made selling hemp and hemp byproducts like CBD legal, the market has grown exponentially year after year. Considering how large the industry is growing, many are starting to discuss what responsibility CBD businesses have to reduce their impacts on the environment. Global warming will continue to be a major issue for decades to come, so reckoning with CBD’s role is essential. If you’re curious about what steps the industry may be able to take, read on to learn more about how the CBD industry can help the environment.
What is CBD?
If you’re unfamiliar with CBD, you’re not alone. The hemp compound was only legalized for possession and sale a few years ago through the 2018 Farm Bill. CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a chemical found in the cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, it doesn’t contain THC and doesn’t get you high. However, CBD-infused products have become popular in the wellness space for what consumers say is their relaxing effects. Consumers say it helps them with everything from chronic discomfort to an overactive mind.
CBD oils and gummies are some of the most popular CBD products on the market, especially since they’re easy to use and make dosing simple. You can find full spectrum oil from a number of brands, but it’s worth it to take the time to find one you can trust. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains CBD in addition to other terpenes and cannabinoids that can provide a wider range of benefits than CBD alone. They’re worth experimenting with if you’re curious about the effects of CBD.
Anyone who has never used cannabis products before should take the time to talk to their doctor about CBD products first. Your doctor can inform you about how they could affect your overall health or interact with the medications you’re currently taking. They may also be able to provide product and dosage recommendations.
What can the CBD industry do to help the environment?
CBD businesses, like many others in the retail industry, do have an obligation to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and eliminate as many of the negative effects they have on the environment as possible. One way the CBD industry already impacts the environment in a positive way is by increasing hemp production. Hemp is what’s known as a bio-accumulator, which means it can absorb chemicals from the soil and filter those toxins away from the earth.
Given how big of a problem plastic waste is, one way the industry can make an impact is to make use of eco-friendly packaging. Earthwise packaging is one great resource for any business owner looking to improve their packaging and reduce waste. One of their partners, CoolJarz, specializes in making packaging for cannabis products. Their company is socially responsible and carbon neutral, which can help any business owner improve their environmental practices.
There’s still a lot to learn about CBD, but what we already know has been enough to create a thriving industry. That means, like any major industry, it’s worth discussing how their practices impact the environment and whether or not they can be improved. An increase in the number of hemp plants is already an environmental benefit, but there are ways cannabis business owners can go further. One important step to take is to switch to eco-friendly packaging that minimizes plastic waste. As the CBD industry continues to grow, it will be increasingly necessary to reflect on how to ensure that it doesn’t inflict harm on the environment.
