Following the increased availability of CBD-richhemp flowers in many Italian stores, a study was conducted to understand their impact on sales of other products. The results of the study have just been published; this article provides an overview of the topic.
Sale of CBD Flowers in Italy: What Impact Will This Have on the Industry?
CBDis now booming in many European countries, particularly in Italy, where its availability has increased dramatically in recent years. To understand the impact of Italian consumers’ use of High Society CBD flowers, researchers conducted a study that you can view by clicking here.
It was published in the highly reputable *Journal of Health Economics* in October 2020: this study compiled and analyzed monthly drug sales data from an Italian association of pharmacy managers over a full two-year period: 2016 to 2018.
What impact might the unintended liberalization of a CBD-rich hemp product have had?
This study revealed some very interesting information about changes in medication use following the introduction and availability of CBD-rich hemp flowers containing no more than 0.6% THC:
- Sales ofanxiolytics decreased by 11.5% during the period in question
- Sales of sedatives declined by 10% during the period in question
- Sales ofantipsychotics declined by 4.8% during the period in question
"We observe that the decline in the number of medications dispensed began in the second month after local retailers started selling CBD-rich hemp flowers, and that it became more pronounced starting in the third month. We document a significant substitution effect between low-potency cannabis and anxiolytics, sedatives, opioids, antidepressants, and antipsychotics."
CBD-rich hemp flowers are becoming more readily available
Since 2016, retail stores selling CBD-rich hemp flowers have sprung up all over Italy, spreading to every region. The figure below shows the growth in the number of CBD flower stores in Italy since 2017:
"Widespread availability of the new product, which has been touted as a relaxant, has prompted some patients to turn away from conventional medicine in search of relief," the authors concluded.
They note, however, that this effect has unfortunately led some patients to self-medicate and discontinue their medical treatment: this is one of the pitfalls to avoid; the use of CBD is a topic that should be discussed with your doctor.
