CBD: What is the minimum age for using it?

After many long years of waiting, CBD has finally been legalized in France. Its sale and use are now completely legal. Websites and stores have sprung up everywhere, and the variety of CBD-based products available has expanded accordingly.

However, even though there are no health risks associated with its use, what is the actual minimum age for using CBD? More details to follow.

One of the most common mistakes is confusing CBD with cannabis. However, when people talk about cannabis, they are usually referring to THC. And CBD and THC are two completely different molecules.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. It is similar to THC in this respect. However, these two cannabinoids have nothing else in common; their natural properties and effects on the body are diametrically opposed. THC, often mistakenly referred to as “cannabis,” is primarily sought after for its euphoric effects, psychotropic properties, and the sensation of being “high.” 

Although these effects are recreational, they are not without consequences, particularly given this substance's high addictive potential. Addiction can develop extremely quickly, and treating it is a very long and arduous process.

For its part, CBD poses no risk of addiction, let alone adverse health effects. While THC can cause heart problems and paranoia, CBD is increasingly being used to help with cannabis withdrawal. But that is precisely where the distinction between CBD and THC lies. Consuming “light” cannabis allows you to enjoy the aromas of cannabis and the benefits of CBD without experiencing the unpleasant effects associated with THC consumption. 

Thus, by interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our endocannabinoid system, cannabidiol molecules are able to indirectly influence our perceptions of happiness, well-being, and even pain and stress.

CBD can be consumed in many ways, including through versatile oils and e-liquids for vaping, and even CBD-based cosmetics to incorporate into your beauty routine, the market is brimming with options. This ensures that every type of consumer can find the perfect product for their needs, as well as the way they’d like to use it.

Beyond the form, it’s important to know that you can also choose the product’s strength based on your needs. CBD oils range from amild 10% CBD concentration—which is well-suited for daily use—to20%, which is ideal for chronic pain or anxiety disorders.

To learn more about determining the right dosage for your CBD products, here are a few tips that can help you get as close as possible to your ideal dosage.

First of all, if you are not a regular user of cannabidiol, we recommend that you start with small doses. 

This will allow you to gently test how your body reacts. You can then gradually increase the dosage—by a few drops each day—until you achieve the desired effect.

In addition to increasing your daily dose, you can also optimize the CBD concentration in your product. To do this, you can either choose a more concentrated product right away or use extracts such as CBD isolate or CBD crumble.

This type of product can have a CBD concentration of up to 99.8%. By diluting these extracts, the potency of your original product will increase, giving you a better experience without having to increase your dosage.

When considering whether a minor can purchase CBD, one concept stands out: the precautionary principle.

The effects of CBD on our bodies are still not well understood—or at least not fully understood. Consequently, the precautionary principle dictates that children and minors should be prohibited from using it, at least until we have more long-term data on the consequences of such use.

 They are considered vulnerable individuals who need protection, just like pregnant and breastfeeding women, for example.

So no, minors cannot buy CBD. You must be 18 years of age or older to legally purchase and use it.

The main reason CBD is prohibited for children is that they are still in the midst of their development. 

And by "development," we also mean the development of their brains. The current scientific understanding of CBD does not yet allow us to guarantee that there are no risks to their healthy growth.

However, the issue of adolescents is the subject of much debate. It is clear that many adolescents suffer from stress, anxiety, and even depression. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have done nothing to improve the situation in this regard. Yet CBD may have stress-relieving and antidepressant properties, without the side effects typical of conventional medications. 

This could therefore be a step toward allowing the prescription of CBD to adolescents, but only with a doctor's recommendation. The state of Virginia in the United States has already made this option available to minors with a medical prescription. 

Will that soon be the case in France? Only time will tell.