Courier Journal has answers to many questions about CBD oil

CBD products for sale at Rainbow Blossom in Louisville
Photo by Michael Clevenger, Louisville Courier Journal

As cannabidiol, better known as CBD oil, becomes readily available in Kentucky and is touted as a cure-all for a host of medical problems, from arthritis to anxiety, Laurel Deppen of the Louisville Courier Journal reports on its safety and legality.

Much of the concern about the safety and legality of CBD oil comes from its association with marijuana, since both come from the cannabis plant, Deppen notes. Here is her guide to answer many of those concerns.

What is CBD oil? CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil, such as coconut or hempseed oil, according to healthline.com.

Is CBD oil legal in Kentucky? As long as CBD is derived from industrial hemp, it is legal. The 2018 Farm Bill allowed “the production and marketing of hemp” and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3 percent THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the plant's psychoactive ingredient.

Can you get high off CBD oil? No, because it doesn't have enough THC.

Can you grow hemp in Kentucky? With a license. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture also requires anyone handling or processing plants, seeds, leaf or floral materials derived from hemp to be licensed. Without a license, growers could face the same penalties as those for growing marijuana.

Can you manufacture CBD oil in Kentucky? Yes, with a license, which is also issued by the Department of Agriculture.

Is CBD oil safe? Is it addictive? Deppen reports that it is not addictive, but adds that "a lot of facts remain unknown" about its safety. Medical experts recommend that you speak to a doctor before taking any medication or supplement, especially if you have a pre-existing condition.

Will CBD oil help or hurt my anxiety? Bottom line, more research is needed. Deppen reports that there haven't been any confirmed studies on whether it hurts or helps anxiety. However, she writes that "Some patients have reported less anxiety or depression after use, including more restful sleep."

How will CBD oil affect my heart? Will it affect my medications? In a previous Courier Journal article, James Patrick Murphy, former president of the Greater Louisville Medical Society, warned that CBD treatment may not be for everyone, including those with heart conditions or those who take blood thinners. Deppen explains that CBD can inhibit liver enzymes that metabolize drugs.

Does CBD oil show up on a drug test? "If a drug screening only tests 'positive or negative' for THC and not the amount, there's a chance your CBD oil intake could cause you to fail the drug test," Deppen reports.

Where can I find it? Most CBD oil has largely been sold in local, independent stores, "but as the demand for CBD products rises, you're more likely to find it on a store shelf where you'd least expect it," Deppen writes.

Walgreens started selling CBD products in almost 1,500 stores earlier this year, and CVS began selling them in in 800 stores. Both chains will sell the products in Kentucky. Deppen reports that Target and Walmart have started having "initial discussions" with CBD manufacturers, according to the New York Post.