Questions from Pharmacists about CBD Products & Related Conditions

Cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids are gaining substantial traction in the world of health & wellness. Pharmacists may frequently have patients who ask about CBD products. Below is a post that will help guide those conversations while offering some additional insight that we’ve picked up along our CBD journey.

Potential Uses for CBD

While current research is still limited and no definitive findings have been made by the medical community, CBD is non-intoxicating and has been reported as anecdotally beneficial for a number of therapeutic purposes. While this list is not comprehensive, CBD may be beneficial due to a number of properties, such as:

• Anxiolytic action
• Analgesic properties
• Anticonvulsant properties
• Muscle relaxing actions
• Antioxidant activity
• Neuroprotective actions

Types of CBD Products

There are multiple types of CBD products available, the most popular includes but is not limited to:

• CBD edibles, such as gummies or chews
• CBD tinctures, oils, or drops
• CBD topicals, such as lotions and balms
• CBD capsules or sublingual tablets

While there are many CBD products, these products are not FDA-approved. Epidiolex is the only prescription-based CBD product available that is approved by the FDA.

CBD Dosing

Currently, there are no recommended guidelines when it comes to CBD dosing. The broad advice is usually to find the lowest effective dose for the symptoms. The general range of effective doses in medical research has been from 10 to 600mg per day for different conditions. For example, someone taking CBD to help with sleep may only need about 25mg, while someone using CBD for anxiety may need between 300 to 600 mg.

Talking to Patients About CBD: Recommended Considerations

1. Considering Local Availability and Regulations

The medical marijuana program is just getting started in Mississippi. Therefore, in the near future, patients may have access to CBD products derived from both hemp and CBD products made from high-THC strains of cannabis. Stay up to date on the availability of different products and the associated laws so you can make recommendations and guide patients to the right kind of CBD products for their needs.

2. Recommending CBD Products based on Quality

While CBD products are widely available, the market is not yet regulated. Unfortunately, this means not all products are of reliable quality. When patients want to try CBD, be sure to advise them on how to find the best brands. Reliable CBD brands are transparent about ingredients, have an established reputation, and have all products tested by an unaffiliated, third-party lab for potency and contaminants.

3. Discussing CBD Side Effects, Contraindications, and Interactions

While the World Health Organization has stated that CBD does not appear to have the potential for abuse or harm, minimal side effects are possible with CBD products. Side effects may include drowsiness, decreased appetite, or irritability. These side effects should always be discussed with interested patients, but patients should also be advised that side effects are rare at standard doses.

Likewise, CBD may not be suitable for patients with certain health conditions or who are taking certain medications. For example, CBD should not be mixed with drugs or alcohol and may affect how some pharmaceuticals function.

Recommending Cannabis as Medicine in MS

While the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act was passed in 2022, medical cannabis accessibility has been slow to come to fruition. Nevertheless, some patients can benefit from hemp-based products, which you can find available from reputable brands like Southern Sky. All of our products are lab-tested for potency and purity and manufactured using industry best practices for quality. If you are a pharmacist looking for a well-established brand, be sure to recommend the Southern Sky collection.