Miracle drug or snake oil? There's a lot of talk about cannabidiol oil (CBD) and its reported health benefits. CBD is derived from the cannabis plant. CBD products that are legal contain very trace amounts of THC - no more than 0.3% - and will not give you the so-called "high" associated with marijuana.

With the legalization of hemp, which also falls under the cannabis family, CBD stores are popping up all over, especially in Arizona. Many people are even selling the product from their houses.

From topical balms, to shampoo, pain patches, pills, sprays, lollipops, and coffee infused with CBD, there's something out there for everyone.

The question is, does it really work?

CBD sellers say many of their customers have tried the Food and Drug Administration-approved products available at local pharmacies but say nothing has worked as well as CBD.

Advocates are also sold on the fact that the chemical comes from a plant. But despite what customers say, FDA officials say there is just no scientific evidence to back up any of these claims.

Some owners of wellness centers are encouraged by the fact some universities are starting to research the effects of CBD. For a while, nobody wanted to do these studies, because it was illegal.

Others say CBD helps relieve their chronic pain and inflammation. Some are even using Hemp and CBD-infused serums as a beauty regimen, saying it's a great moisturizer, especially to sensitive skin prone to acne.

Business owners have been very careful about how they market CBD products. FDA officials have warned businesses it's illegal to make any health or medical claims about CBD because the product has not been tested or approved by the FDA for consumption.

Documents on the FDA's website show warning letters officials have sent to businesses who are making untested health claims about CBD products. The letters warn business owners to show proof of how they are changing their marketing standards, and to remove any type of claim that said CBD could "cure" an ailment or disease.

A lot of customers keep coming back for more, so the products must be helping. This is something that has never hurt anyone on this planet. Yet we approve alcohol, that half a million people die from every year.

Source: https://www.abc15.com/cracking-down-on-cbd-health-claims