Lost in the Weeds

Marijuana and hemp are genetically distinct cousins of the genus Cannabis sativa L., yet they have been erroneously associated with each other for the past 80 years.

That all changed in December 2018 when Congress removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act and legalized the plant and its derivatives such as cannabidiol (CBD), a substance which has received a great deal of attention for its potential to treat a variety of medical conditions. This change is historic and has enormous implications in medicine and the treatment of pain.

However, although the oversight of hemp has essentially been transferred from the DEA to the USDA and individual states, the FDA still retains its authority “to regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds” such as CBD.

Accordingly, in an effort to inform healthcare professionals about this rapidly changing field, this presentation will discuss the history of hemp, its legality, derivatives, and its potential future in pain treatment.