Nine times out of ten when a person is sick or suffering, the automatic reaction is to book an appointment with a GP. But although this is of benefit, Western medicine doesn’t always alleviate suffering, and sometimes you can even experience a host of undesirable side effects.
Fortunately, CBD shows potential in treating hundreds of different illnesses and injuries safely and naturally. If you’re new the world of cannabidiol, you might be wondering exactly what it is and how it works, as well as whether it’s legal or not and where to get it.
Well, the answers to all of your questions are in this article, so all you need to do is read on…
CBD In Australia: Is it Legal?
First and foremost CBD is indeed legal in Australia, where it can technically be sold over the counter with THC percentages of up to 1 percent. In the land down under, CBD is viewed as a medicine. Although this has caused a delay in the availability of OTC cannabidiol, it is in fact the safer option.
However, it also means that there are a strict set of regulations governing the production and distribution of CBD in Australia. Due to the fact that these rules are fairly new, CBD companies are still waiting on the assessment process before customers will be able to buy it locally.
What is CBD? What is it used for?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an extract from the hemp side of the cannabis family. Now, before you panic at the word cannabis, please be aware that hemp is non-intoxicating. In fact, it is used medicinally to treat hundreds of different ailments and is even suitable to give to your grandmother.
In addition to alleviating both physical and mental ailments, CBD can also be used to combat signs of aging! Yes, that’s right, the compound is making a name for itself in the realm of beauty too. There are an abundance of cannabidiol cosmetics to be found for the skin, hair and nails.
How to dose with CBD:
There is a fair amount of debate surrounding how to dose with CBD, but at the end of the day it comes down to a person’s unique physiological composition. Factors including size, metabolism, severity of illness and more all play a role in how the compound works.
Due to the fact that CBD is medicine, it is generally recommended to start with a low dose and work your way up slowly. Many experts have advised that people should start by taking 5mgs per day, and to monitor the effects for a week.
After this, if you notice no improvements, you can increase the daily dose by another 5mgs. Continue with this process under the supervision of a healthcare professional until you reach a level where you experience noticeable relief.
Are there side effects?
Side effects are rarely reported with CBD and the overall consensus from the WHO is that it is safe to consume in large doses. However, one in a hundred people will experience a cannabis allergy which may result in symptoms ranging from hives to anaphylactic shock. Fortunately allergies can be detected before progressing to this stage, so you really have nothing to worry about.
What to Look For in a Quality CBD
If you’re sold on CBD already, you can actually learn how to find safe CBD on the grey market. Let’s quickly run through what to look out for so you don’t get scammed. Unfortunately as with all other unregulated industries, there are both fake and authentic products for sale.
While this is all very well and good with a pair of Nikes, when it comes to consumables (and especially medicinal consumables) the products may end up causing more harm than good. To avoid pseudo-CBD companies, check for:
- Third party lab testing
- Certificate of Analysis
- CO2 extraction method
- Organic farming techniques
- No added ingredients or toxins
Of course, one of the most tell tale signs of quality often comes down to a more solid price tag. You can expect to pay $250 per 30ml of authentic cannabidiol.
Where to buy CBD in Australia
You can find cannabidiol both legally and illegally in Australia, but we recommend that you get a prescription and invest in the real stuff, although it isn’t as accessible to lower income earners. This means making an appointment with your doctor, receiving a diagnosis and securing a prescription.
