ABSTRACT
Here in the United States Cannabidiol (CBD) is legal
in all 50 states if the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of the product
is no more than 0.3%. The largest retailers of CBD in 2019 were located
in California, Florida, and New York, which sold $730 million, $291 million, and
$215 million, respectively. Of the patients who use CBD, the most common
reasons for their use were pain, anxiety, and insomnia. As the use of CBD for
the relief of different issues increases, it is important to assess the safety
and efficacy of CBD as it pertains to drug-drug interactions, lab interactions,
and its actual benefits. This subject of safety and efficacy is increasingly
important as the use of CBD has increased, with approximately 64 million
Americans having tried CBD between 2017 and 2019. In this article, we will
discuss these different aspects of CBD use
from the point of view of a pharmacist. Not only do pharmacists commonly
get questions on different aspects of CBD use, but they are also drug experts
in areas including drug-drug interactions, drug toxicities, pharmacokinetics
and pharmacodynamic profiles of medications, and guideline-recommended
therapeutic options. Although there is a limited amount of data, there is still
accessible data that may serve to inform pharmacists to become aware of the
safety and efficacy of CBD. This information will serve pharmacists to educate
patients that CBD contains properties to be used in a variety of conditions
such as Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome, pain, and sports enhancement.