CBD-based cocktails and mocktails are becoming quite popular during a night out. But what is CBD and why are more and more people so interested in it?
This article attempts to throw some light on the good, the bad, and the ugly of including CBD in a cocktail menu. To start, let’s get the question on legality out of the question. The passage of the Farm Bill in December 2018 has made it federally legal to cultivate hemp and produce hemp-based CBD for commercial use.
However, various state governments may have their own set of rules governing CBD. It is a good idea to check with local state laws before proceeding. Other trustworthy sources to check the legal in your area are your local liquor board or ABC. They will also ensure you get the proper guidance when it comes to the legal boundaries in CBD-based cocktail mixology.
When used in the broader context, CBD has demonstrated the ability to relieve pain, anxiety, insomnia, encourage a feeling of calm, and improve appetite. In some cases, CBD has also been reported to help with a particularly bad hangover. As a rule of thumb, CBD from whole-plant extractions is your best bet when putting together CBD cocktails. Be sure you stay away from other strains of CBD like some of those originating from East Asia as they may be of inferior or dubious quality.
It can seem counterintuitive to use CBD in cocktails as the effects or benefits of CBD are almost completely negated by alcohol. However, CBD cocktails are an established trend and if it works for some consumers, that should be reason enough to have it as an option in a cocktail menu. Like any medication or placebos, what may work for some, may or may not work for others.
To reiterate, there are two main types of CBD. One version comes from the hemp plant, while another is derived from the cannabis plant. Hemp-based CBD is non-psychoactive, is an industrial ingredient, and is used mostly in cosmetics and similar products. Hemp-based CBD products come in a wide range from oils and tinctures to topicals, creams, edibles, and smokables.
CBD that is derived from the cannabis plant is psychoactive and leads to the ‘high’ usually associated with marijuana. This mind-altering property is thanks to the high volume of THC which is almost absent in hemp-based CBD.
Looking at the popularity of and the following that CBD cocktails have generated, it is safe to say that CBD cocktails are here to stay. Hemp-based CBD cocktails will not make consumers ‘high’, nor will it make them fail a drug test. If anything else, CBD will make users feel relaxed and encourage a feeling of calm.
Disclaimer
CBD products that are derived from Hemp and contain less than the prescribed .3 percent of THC are legal per federal law. However, certain state laws may still deem it illegal.
CBD products that are derived from Marijuana are illegal per federal law but remain legal under the laws of certain states.
It is advisable to check the appropriate state laws in case of travel. It is important to note that over-the-counter CBD products are not approved by the FDA.